Nigerian poet Gbenga Adesina has been named a finalist for the 2026 PEN/Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection for his book Death Does Not End at the Sea, published by the University of Nebraska Press. The award, which carries a $5,000 prize, recognizes a poet whose distinguished collection represents a notable and accomplished literary presence.

Adesina’s collection is one of five finalists selected by a jury panel that includes poets Dorianne Laux, Tracie Morris, dg nanouk okpik, Paisley Rekdal, and Craig Morgan Teicher. The other finalists are Aracelis Girmay (Green of All Heads), Susan Howe (Penitential Cries), Shane McCrae (New and Collected Hell), and Cecily Parks (The Seeds).

The 2026 PEN America Literary Awards will confer nearly $350,000 to writers and translators across multiple categories. Winners will be announced at the Literary Awards Ceremony on March 31, 2026. This year’s finalists reside in at least 20 different states and multiple countries, with the jury panels composed of esteemed authors, editors, translators, and critics—seven of whom are previous PEN America Literary Award winners.

Congratulations, Adesina!