TYBLI 2026 to honour Mabel Segun, five others as prize award holds Nov 18
By Editor
THE TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has announced the three shortlisted writers for the 2026 edition of Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP), following a competitive selection process that attracted over 100 entries from writers across Nigeria. The shortlisted writers, whose works emerged from the pool of six zonal winners, representing Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, are Yemi Hanson – Let Us Tell This Story (South West), Umar Ibrahim – A Hundred Lashes (North Central) and Chinenye Opara – A Lady in Bloom (South East). Among these three writers, the successor of Adoo Gyuur who won last year with her work, Daughters of Ash will be announced at a grand award ceremony on Wednesday, November 18, 2026
The three finalists emerged from an initial selection of six zonal winners, each of whom received a cash prize of ₦500,000 in recognition of their achievement. The grand prize winner will receive an additional ₦1.5 million, bringing the total prize money to ₦2 million.
Also, TYBLI has announced five distinguished recipients of its 2026 Special Recognition Awards for their outstanding contributions to higher education, academic leadership, research, innovation, and Nigerian literature, as part of this year’s award ceremony for the annual Young Adult Literature Prize. The awards will be presented at the 2026 Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) award ceremony scheduled to hold on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at TY Buratai Research Centre, KM 44, Abuja–Keffi Road, Abuja at 2:00pm.
The five recipients are the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as TYBLI Award for Excellence in Academic Leadership and Research Mentorship, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola as TYBLI Award for Transformational Leadership and Innovation in Education, the Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Haruna Musa as TYBLI Award for Institutional Advancement and Research Impact, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman as TYBLI Award for Transformational Leadership and Advancement of Higher Education and renowned Nigerian literary icon and matriarch, Mabel Segun as TYBLI Special Recognition Award for YAL Forerunners, in honour of her enduring contributions to Nigerian literature and the development of generations of readers and writers.
The recognition of Professor Olapegba celebrates his distinguished scholarship, record of over 110 academic publications, research grantsmanship and leadership as the 14th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan. Professor Ogunsola is being recognised for her contributions to institutional transformation and educational innovation, including her leadership as the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, her administration’s success in attracting over ₦4 billion in funding, and initiatives promoting artificial intelligence and robotics education for girls.
Professor Musa’s award acknowledges his institutional leadership and commitment to positioning Bayero University, Kano, among leading global universities, alongside efforts to strengthen research and innovation, including support for the ₦36 million zinc-air battery project. Professor Liman’s recognition celebrates her pioneering emergence as the first female Vice-Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and her commitment to institutional development, academic excellence, research and innovation.
The posthumous recognition of Segun celebrates the remarkable legacy of one of Nigeria’s most distinguished literary figures. A writer, poet, educator and advocate of children’s literature, she devoted much of her life to nurturing young readers, encouraging literary creativity and advancing the development of Nigerian literature. Her recognition affirms TYBLI’s appreciation of a life dedicated to the written word and the enduring influence of literary pioneers on succeeding generations.
TYBLI Chairperson, Dr. Liz Ben Iheanacho noted that the initiative considers literacy, education, research, innovation and literature essential pillars of national development. The Special Recognition Awards are therefore designed to celebrate individuals whose work has made significant contributions to knowledge, institutional growth, intellectual advancement and the preservation of Nigeria’s literary heritage.
The 2026 YALP Award Ceremony will also feature the unveiling of the 2025 TYBLI Young Adult Literature Prize Anthology and the announcement of the 2026 Grand Prize Winner, selected from three finalists representing different geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The overall winner will receive an additional ₦1.5 million, bringing the total prize value to ₦2 million.
Adoo Gyuur’s Daughters of Ash won in 2025
The event will bring together distinguished personalities from academia, literature, culture and public service to celebrate emerging literary voices and recognise individuals whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s intellectual and educational landscape.
The 2026 ceremony will be hosted by the founder and sponsor of TYBLI, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), with Professor Ambassador Tijjani Bande, as event chair and His Majesty, Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, the Ona of Abaji, as Royal Father of the Day.
The TY Buratai Literary Initiative is committed to promoting reading culture, encouraging creative writing, discovering emerging literary talents, and contributing to the growth of young adult literature in Nigeria through the Young Adult Literature Prize and related literary development programmes.
