The Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize has announced its 2025 longlist, with 30 poems selected from submissions exploring unity, truth, justice, and change in Nigerian society. The longlisted poems include “We Learned to Speak in the Accent of a Foreign Wind” by Excel Chinagorom Michael, “Aurora” by C. S. Odili, “Autopsy of a Deceased Country” by Adebola Temitayo Ogunyemi, and “Kalakuta” by Chinecherem Enujioke, among others.

Founded in 2012 by Nigerian poet and literary activist Eriata Oribhabor, the prize has become a significant platform for poets tackling governance, patriotism, and pressing societal issues. Previous winners include Ifiokobong Etuk (2023) for “A Revolution Thinks Itself A Bird,” David Chimeremeze Okafor (2019), and Ayokunle Samuel Betiku (2020).

The full longlist:

  1. We Learned to Speak in the Accent of a Foreign Wind — Excel Chinagorom Michael
  2. Aurora — C. S. Odili
  3. On the Road to the Beginning — Umar Yogiza Jr
  4. Before My Father Loved Me, He Didn’t — Chiwenite Onyekwelu
  5. Cobwebs — Ayobami Kayode
  6. Names We Swallowed — Bakare Oluwanifemi Tunmise
  7. In State — Nkasiobinnaya Sabs-Mbonu
  8. Where My Name Learns to Walk Without Me — Gospel Okoro
  9. Mathematics — Ogedengbe Tolulope Impact
  10. What Survives the Morning — Akindutire Elizabeth Abosede
  11. An Empire Without Urbanization — S. Abdulwasi’h Olaitan
  12. No One Told the Walls I Left — Busari Shukura Oyeronke
  13. The Geography of Forgotten Cities — Awoyemi Olamilekan Israel
  14. Spectator Ion — Segun Adesina
  15. What the Road Refuses to Name — Joemario Umana
  16. The Country Practises Breathing — Aremu Goodness Adejare
  17. Pedagogue on a Harmattan Trek — Obiọtika Wilfred Toochukwu
  18. A Poem Made of Sigh — Ojo Blessing
  19. I Am My Father’s Daughter — Marylin Ezeh
  20. Wounded Light — Wisdom Adediji
  21. Harvest of Skulls — Iwuagwu Ikechukwu O.
  22. Insistence — Gloria Ameh
  23. Litany to the Small Gods of Departure — Daniel Aôndona
  24. This Science of Silence — Azeez Odunjo
  25. A Penny for Your Thoughts — Temiloluwa Olamide Ogunsanya
  26. The Parliament of Death — Fortune Eleojo Simeon
  27. Between Two Skies — Rachael Ajisafe
  28. Central Market — Sarah Adeyemo
  29. Autopsy of a Deceased Country — Adebola Temitayo Ogunyemi
  30. Kalakuta — Chinecherem Enujioke

According to Words, Rhymes and Rhythm, a shortlist will be announced following the next stage of judging. The finalists for the ₦200,000 Cash Prize will be revealed on Saturday, February 7 2026. Selected poems will also be considered for publication in the EOPP 2025 Anthology. Congratulations to all the longlisted poets!