Shortlist: Sande Poetry Prize 2025

Note From The Judges

We are pleased to announce the shortlist for the Sande Poetry Prize, selected from an exceptional longlist of 30 poems.

After careful reading and deliberation, 15 poems have been shortlisted. These poems were selected based on their strength of voice, imaginative risk, technical control, emotional intelligence, and clarity of poetic intent.

We commend all longlisted poets for their remarkable submissions and thank them for trusting the Sande Poetry Prize with their work. Congratulations to the shortlisted poets—we look forward to the final stage of the prize and to celebrating poetry in all its brilliance.

Shortlist: Sande Poetry Prize 2025

1. IHUNANYA by Emmanuel Uchendu-Onu
2. UNPAID AUTOPSIES by Emmanuel Akintoye
3. INHERITANCE by Adesiyan Oluwapelumi
4. WE BLOOMED WHERE THE BOMBS MISSED by Oladosu Michael Emerald
5. EXODUS by Daniel Aôndona
6. EXPERIMENT 12: THE THEORY OF SMALL GIRLS (DEPARTMENT OF ENDURANCE STUDIES, 2025) by Nosawema Emmanuella Ogboghodo
7. EVERYTHING YOU CANNOT BURY by Oyindamola Odetoyinbo
8. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A 500 NAIRA NOTE by Olafenwa Oladunni Elizabeth
9. MATHEMATICS by Ogedengbe Tolulope Impact
10. FIGURES OF SPEECH by Oyindamola Margaret Abodunrin
11. KNOTS AND SECTIONS by Anthony Ameh Alechenu
12. IYA SULLA, THE PROFESSIONAL MOURNER OF LAGOS ISLAND by Solape Adetutu Adeyemi
13. WHEN THE EARTH LEARNS OUR NAMES AGAIN by Israel Eze
14. THE LAST OF US: MAIDUGURI by Ahmed Haibu Lawan
15. MY MOTHER’S SUGGESTION ON LIFE USING EGUSI SOUP RECIPE by Olakunle Kehinde Rachel