The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has announced the six zonal winners of its 2025 Young Adult Literature Prize, raising the stakes with a bigger cash award to encourage emerging writers across Nigeria.
From 106 entries submitted nationwide, the works that made the cut included, North Central: Adoo Gyuur – Daughters of Ashes, North East: Daniel Yohanna – A Boy From Far North. South South: E. R. Umukoro – The Distortion of Hardassah, South East: Ikemefuna Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu – Garden of Garget, South West: Sarah Yousuph – When the Road Curves and North West: Yusrah Bashir Gaga – My Darkest Nightmares
The shortlist will be trimmed to three finalists before the Grand Prize and Awards ceremony slated for November 1.
TYBLI Chairperson, Dr. Liz Ben-Iheanacho, revealed that the grand prize has been increased to ₦1.5 million, while each zonal winner will now receive ₦500,000, double the amount given in 2024.
She noted that beyond prizes, TYBLI continues to expand its book placement programme, donating mobile libraries stocked with at least 40 books each to underserved schools and universities, including Girau International School in Kaduna, Air Force Girls Comprehensive School in Abuja, and Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
“Every entry counts. Even if a story doesn’t make the shortlist, we urge young writers to keep going. Your voices matter, and your contributions enrich our literary space,” she said.
Founded by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), TYBLI aims to deepen literacy, nurture creativity, and promote a culture of reading among young Nigerians.
At the 2024 debut, Taofeek Olatunbosun won the ₦1m grand prize for Truth and Dare, which, alongside other shortlisted works, was compiled into an anthology now being distributed nationwide.