By RICHARD INYA, BM NAGIDI

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor as the winner of the 2025 Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature for her novel ?See Morocco, See Spain.? The announcement was made during the grand dinner and award ceremony marking the conclusion of the 44th ANA International Convention, held at the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Mamman Vatsa Writers? Village, Abuja. Enenmor?s novel triumphed over a field of fifteen (15) submissions to emerge as the winner of this prestigious literary award.

Instituted by the Anambra State Government and administered by the Association of Nigerian Authors, the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature has, over the past five years, become one of the most coveted prizes in Nigerian literature. It celebrates excellence in prose fiction and honours the enduring legacy of Nigeria?s most celebrated novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe. The 2025 edition was distinctive, as submissions were restricted to members of ANA branches within Nigeria, ensuring the continued strengthening of the association?s literary community.

According to the 2025 Judges? Report, fifteen novels were assessed based on well-defined literary and physical criteria. These included thematic significance, plot sequence, setting, dialogue, character development, language use, spontaneity, tension and conflict resolution, and overall packaging. The panel noted that entries reflected a rich diversity of themes ? from politics, migration, and violence, to love, identity, and cultural conflict. The judges emphasized that the quality of submissions demonstrated the growing depth and maturity of Nigerian prose fiction.

In their final selection, the panel shortlisted three remarkable works: See Morocco, See Spain by Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor, Years of Shame by Obinna Udenwe, and Insignia of the Gods by Anthony Oha. Each of these works, according to the judges, displayed outstanding craftsmanship and narrative depth, making the task of selecting a winner particularly challenging. However, See Morocco, See Spain ultimately stood out for its powerful exploration of migration, resilience, and the human spirit.

See Morocco, See Spain tells the story of desperate young Africans who embark on perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of a better life. Through her gripping narrative, Enenmor captures the despair, courage, and moral struggles of those fleeing from failed governance and socio-economic hardship. The judges praised the novel for its evocative storytelling, compelling characters, and its ability to mirror one of Africa?s most pressing contemporary realities ? irregular migration.

Second place went to Years of Shame by Obinna Udenwe, which the judges described as a deeply reflective novel exploring the tensions between tradition and modernity. The work delves into the consequences of human choices, innocence lost, and the enduring scars of societal taboos, particularly incest. The third shortlisted work, Insignia of the Gods by Anthony Oha, was commended for its allegorical critique of political corruption and the dangerous allure of power in postcolonial African societies.

The panel of judges commended the organizers for the rigorous selection process and thanked the ANA leadership for the opportunity to serve. They acknowledged that, in just five years, the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature has grown in prestige, becoming a true symbol of literary excellence and a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of Nigerian novelists.

In their concluding remarks, the judges reaffirmed their satisfaction with the final results and expressed optimism that the prize would continue to inspire writers to produce works that challenge, educate, and transform society. They further applauded the Anambra State Government for its sustained sponsorship and commitment to promoting literary culture in Nigeria.

Reacting to her win, Ndidi Chiazor Enenmor expressed deep gratitude to ANA, the judges, and the Anambra State Government for honouring her work. She dedicated the award to ?the countless Africans who dream of a better life beyond borders? and reiterated her belief in the power of literature to shed light on social injustices and inspire empathy.

With Enenmor?s victory, the 2025 Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature once again reinforces its mission of upholding the creative spirit of Chinua Achebe ? a legacy rooted in truth, justice, and the power of storytelling to heal and reform the human condition. The Association of Nigerian Authors congratulated all the shortlisted writers for their outstanding contributions to Nigerian letters.

MEET NDIDI CHIAZOR ENENMOR, WINNER OF 2025 CHINUA ACHEBE PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor is an award-winning author, a master storyteller who keeps readers gripped with her sterling narrative. She has written outstanding novels, short stories, plays, young adult, and children?s books.

Her book, A Father's Pride, was a finalist for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2024. In 2019, her book A Hero?s Welcome made the longlist for the same prize.

Apart from winning the ANA Prose Prize in 2022 for If They Tell the Story, her children?s book One Little Mosquito won the ANA Prize for Children?s Literature in 2009.

Her latest novel, See Morocco See Spain, has been described by many reviewers as an outstanding literary masterpiece. Her play, A Harvest of Maggots, is set to be staged across various university campuses in Nigeria.

Apart from writing, Chiazor-Enenmor is an environmental activist, children?s rights advocate, and education consultant. She is the founder of the Walnut Book Club, through which she champions various literary campaigns.

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