2026 SANDE POETRY CONTEST OPPORTUNITY FOR NIGERIANS

About

The Sande Poetry Prize is an annual literary award established in 2025 to recognise outstanding poetry by Nigerian writers. The prize was founded by Osadolor Osayande alongside Itohan Osayande, Eseosa Osayande, Ameze Osayande and Eghosa Osayande.

The initiative seeks to celebrate contemporary Nigerian poetry, provide financial recognition to talented poets and create greater opportunities for Nigerian literary voices to reach wider audiences.

The inaugural edition offered a total prize of 800,000 naira for three outstanding poems. The competition attracted more than 2,000 submissions in its 2025 edition, demonstrating the interest of Nigerian writers in the initiative.

Who can apply

The published eligibility guidelines are:

• Applicant must be a bonafide citizen of Nigeria.
• Applicant must be a Nigerian national or legal resident of Nigeria.
• Applicant must have at least one Nigerian parent.
• Applicants must be 18 years old by October 14, 2026.
• Poems must be written in English.

Prize benefits

The Sande Poetry Prize offered a total award of 800,000 naira in its inaugural edition, distributed among three outstanding poems.

Beyond the financial award, the prize provides recognition, exposure and a platform for contemporary Nigerian poets. The organisers may publish shortlisted and winning poems on their website, social media platforms or in an anthology.

Submission requirements

• Submit exactly one poem, no more, no less
• Each poem must be no longer than 20 lines
• Poems must be original and unpublished
• Poems can be written on any theme of the poet’s choice
• Submissions must be contained in a single two-page Word document. The first page must be the cover page, while the second page must contain the poem:
• The cover page should include:

\ i. Author’s full name and biography

\ ii. Date of birth

\ iii. Contact email and phone number

\ iv. Brief publication history

• Formatting:

\ i. Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font

\ ii. Single-spaced

\ iii. Black text only

How to apply

Interested applicants should Email their submission to: sandepoetryprize@osadolor.com

• Worldwide copyright of each poem remains with the writer. The Sande Poetry Prize reserves the unrestricted right to publish the winning poems (winners and runners-up) online, in an anthology, or for promotional purposes.

Application deadline

• 15th November, 2026

Important notice

Each year, the Sande Poetry Prize appoints a distinguished panel of judges. The 2026 panel includes:

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

The panel reserves the right not to award the Prize or to split the award between more than two recipients if deemed necessary.

A shortlist will be announced in February 2027. This date is tentative and is subject to both the volume of entries received and the duration of judging.

All shortlisted and winning poets agree to allow the Sande Poetry Prize to publish their submitted poems on the official website and social media.

Best of Luck.

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