‘Sanya’ author, Oyin Olugbile, invests in the next story
By Editor
THE author of Sanya and winner of The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025, Oyin Olugbile, has made a grand gesture of giving back to society from her winning USD$100,000 purse by sponsoring a writer to be published in what she says is ‘Investing in the next story’. The Nigeria Prizes announced this on its Facebook wall, praising the author for her good gesture.
According to the UK-based writer, “This year gave me more than I imagined. When I won the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature, I knew I wanted part of the prize to go back into writing — into people, into possibility. This contribution to @masobebooks is one way of honouring that commitment. If you’re a writer with a manuscript, keep an eye on Masobe’s next submission window opening February 1, 2026. The story you’re carrying might be next. To the next writer reading this: keep going!”
Her publisher, Masobe Books, said in a statement that Olugbile will sponsor the publication of one book out of the lot at the next submission window in 2026 as her own support for Nigerian writers.
The prize sponsor and award body said, “Beautifully said, OA Oyin. Your decision to channel the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature back into nurturing writers and manuscripts speaks to the heart of what the prize stands for. We are proud to see your win opening doors and encouraging the next generation to stay faithful to their stories.”
Olugbile’s novel, Sanya, based on Yoruba mythology reinvented by investing Sango with a female agancy, won The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2025 in the prose fiction category at a glittery Grand Award Night (GAN) on October 10, 2025 in Lagos.
