Call For Submissions: Sande Poetry Prize 2026

The Sande Poetry Prize is an annual literary award of ₦800,000, presented to three outstanding poems written by Nigerian poets.

Now in its second edition, the Prize was launched in 2025 by Osadolor Osayande, alongside co-founders Itohan Osayande, Eseosa Osayande, Ameze Osayande, and Eghosa Osayande—siblings from a family deeply rooted in Nigeria’s literary and storytelling traditions. The name Sande is a shortened form of their shared surname, Osayande, and reflects their collective vision to celebrate, support, and elevate African literature.

The Sande Poetry Prize was established to recognise excellence in contemporary Nigerian poetry while providing meaningful financial and creative support to poets working both within Nigeria and across the diaspora. The Prize is rooted in the belief that Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most compelling literary voices—many of whom continue to face limited opportunities for visibility, recognition, and funding.

Through the Prize, the founders hope to contribute to a stronger literary ecosystem in which Nigerian poets are not only celebrated for the quality of their work, but are also given greater opportunities to develop their craft, reach wider audiences, and build sustainable creative careers.

Osadolor Osayande, the founder, is a Nigerian poet and storyteller and the author of two poetry collections. He has been longlisted for the Babishai Niwe Poetry Prize, awarded the Brigitte Poirson Poetry Prize, and the Leeds Writer's Circle Poetry Prize. His work explores themes of faith, family, intimacy, and cultural identity.

Submission Window & Eligibility

Submission Window: October 11, 2026 – November 15, 2026

Important Dates

• Submission Window Opens: October 11, 2026
  The submission portal opens for all eligible Nigerian poets.

• Submission Window Closes: November 15, 2026
  Final day for all submissions. No entries will be accepted after this date.

• Longlist Announcement: February 28, 2027
  The judging panel will announce the shortlist for the 2025 prize.

• Shortlist Announcement: March 8, 2027

• Winners Declared: March 15, 2027
  The winners of the 2026 Sande Poetry Prize will be declared.

Eligibility

The Prize is open to Nigerian writers, defined as someone who:

• Was born in Nigeria
• Is a national or legal resident of Nigeria, or
• Has at least one Nigerian parent

Additional criteria:

• Must be aged 18 years or over on October 11, 2026
• Only poems written in English are eligible. Translated poems are welcome; in such cases, the prize money may be shared with the translator at the discretion of the judging panel

Submission Guidelines

• 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:
    • Author’s full name and biography
    • Date of birth
    • Contact email and phone number
    • Brief publication history

• Formatting:

  • Times New Roman or Arial, 12-point font
  • Single-spaced
  • Black text only

• Email all submissions 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.

Judging and Awards

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.

For inquiries: inquiries@osadolor.com