Sande Poetry Prize 2026 – ₦800,000 Literary Award for Nigerian Poets

Scholarship Details

The Sande Poetry Prize is accepting submissions for its 2026 edition, inviting Nigerian poets to showcase their creativity through original poetry. The annual literary award recognises excellence in contemporary Nigerian poetry and provides financial and creative support to poets in Nigeria and across the diaspora.

The prize was launched in 2025 by Osadolor Osayande and his siblings, and the 2026 edition is its second edition.

Award Details

• Award: Sande Poetry Prize 2026
• Award fund: ₦800,000
• Number of poems to submit: One
• Eligible applicants: Nigerian writers aged 18 and above
• Language: English
• Submission opens: 11 October 2026
• Submission deadline: 15 November 2026
• Longlist announcement: 28 February 2027
• Shortlist announcement: 8 March 2027
• Winners announced: 15 March 2027

About the Sande Poetry Prize

The Sande Poetry Prize celebrates outstanding contemporary Nigerian poetry while providing poets with opportunities for recognition, creative development and financial support.

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The name Sande is a shortened form of the founders’ shared surname, Osayande. The prize reflects their collective vision to celebrate, support and elevate African literature.

The founders hope to strengthen Nigeria’s literary ecosystem by helping poets gain visibility, reach wider audiences and build sustainable creative careers.

The founder, Osadolor Osayande, is a Nigerian poet and storyteller and the author of two poetry collections. He has been longlisted for the Babishai Niwe Poetry Prize and has received the Brigitte Poirson Poetry Prize and the Leeds Writer’s Circle Poetry Prize. His work explores faith, family, intimacy and cultural identity.

Eligibility Requirements

The prize is open to Nigerian writers who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Were born in Nigeria.
• Are Nigerian nationals or legal residents of Nigeria.
• Have at least one Nigerian parent.

Additional requirements:

• Applicants must be 18 years or older as of 11 October 2026.
• Only poems written in English are eligible.
• Translated poems are welcome. However, the judging panel may decide to share the prize money with the translator.

Submission Guidelines

Applicants must follow these requirements carefully:

• Submit exactly one poem. More than one submission is not permitted.
• The poem must not exceed 20 lines.
• The poem must be original and unpublished.
• The poem may explore any theme of the poet’s choice.
• Submit the work in a single two-page Word document.

Required Cover Page Information

The first page of the document must contain:

• Author’s full name and biography.
• Date of birth.
• Contact email address and phone number.
• Brief publication history.

The second page must contain the poem.

Formatting Requirements

• Font: Times New Roman or Arial.
• Font size: 12 points.
• Spacing: Single-spaced.
• Text colour: Black only.

Submission Email

Send your completed submission to:

sandepoetryprize@osadolor.com

Judging and Awards

The 2026 judging panel consists of:

• Osadolor Osayande — Judge.
• Ngozi Idoniboye — Judge.
• Chukky Enyi Ibe — Judge.

The total prize fund is ₦800,000, awarded in recognition of three outstanding poems written by Nigerian poets.

The judging panel reserves the right not to award the prize or to split the award between more than two recipients if it considers this necessary.

The longlist is scheduled for 28 February 2027, the shortlist for 8 March 2027, and the winners for 15 March 2027. The shortlist timeline is tentative and may change depending on the number of entries received and the duration of judging.

Copyright and Publication Rights

Worldwide copyright of each poem remains with its writer.

However, the Sande Poetry Prize reserves the unrestricted right to publish winning poems, including those of winners and runners-up, on its website, in an anthology or for promotional purposes.

All shortlisted and winning poets agree to allow the prize organisers to publish their submitted poems on the official website and social media platforms.

How to Apply

• Write an original poem on a theme of your choice.
• Ensure the poem is written in English and contains no more than 20 lines.
• Prepare a two-page Word document using the required formatting.
• Include your full name, biography, date of birth, contact details and brief publication history on the first page.
• Place the poem on the second page.
• Email your submission to sandepoetryprize@osadolor.com before the deadline.

Important Dates

• Submission opens: 11 October 2026
• Submission closes: 15 November 2026
• Longlist announcement: 28 February 2027
• Shortlist announcement: 8 March 2027
• Winners announced: 15 March 2027

No entries will be accepted after the submission deadline.

Contact Information

For enquiries, email inquiries@osadolor.com.

Official Application Link

Read the complete guidelines on the official website:

Call for Submissions: Sande Poetry Prize 2026

Conclusion: If you are a Nigerian poet aged 18 or older, this is an opportunity to showcase your writing and compete for recognition through the Sande Poetry Prize. Prepare one original, unpublished poem of no more than 20 lines and submit it before 15 November 2026.