25 years of the Caine Prize recognises Nigerian writers for the best African storytelling
From Helon Habila’s reflective narratives to Lesley Nneka Arimah’s inventive storytelling, Nigerian writers have consistently pushed creative boundaries, capturing the complexities of life across the continent and beyond.
The Caine Prize for African Writing has reached a historic milestone, celebrating 25 years of championing literary excellence across the continent. To mark its silver jubilee, the prestigious prize is introducing the Best of Caine Award—an exclusive recognition of the most outstanding short story to have won the Prize since its inception in 2000.
For the past quarter-century, the Caine Prize has been a beacon for African literature, providing emerging and established writers with a platform to showcase their craft to global audiences. This year, instead of the usual annual award, the Best of Caine Award will select one short story from among previous winners, celebrating the best African storytelling of the last 25 years.
Notably, Nigeria stands out in this edition, with seven distinguished Nigerian writers appearing on the shortlist. These literary icons—Helon Habila, Segun Afolabi, EC Osondu, Rotimi Babatunde, Tope Folarin, Lesley Nneka Arimah, and Irenosen Okojie—have previously claimed the Caine Prize and now have a chance to secure this prestigious lifetime recognition.
The Best of Caine Award will be judged by a panel of acclaimed literary experts, who will sift through decades of brilliant African storytelling to determine which work stands above the rest. This special edition reflects the Prize’s commitment to acknowledging not only rising stars but also those that have profoundly shaped African literature over time.
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Beyond the competition itself, the jubilee celebrations will include a series of literary events—both online and in-person—bringing together past winners, shortlisted authors, and literary enthusiasts from across Africa and the diaspora.
These gatherings will spotlight the transformative impact the Caine Prize has had on careers, showcasing how its alumni have gone on to shape global conversations on identity, culture, and storytelling.
Nigeria’s dominance in this year’s shortlist underscores the country’s unwavering influence on African literature. From Helon Habila’s reflective narratives to Lesley Nneka Arimah’s inventive storytelling, Nigerian writers have consistently pushed creative boundaries, capturing the complexities of life across the continent and beyond.
With seven Nigerian authors in the running, literary fans across the nation will eagerly watch as the judges make their final decision. Regardless of the winner, Nigeria’s significant presence affirms its standing as a powerhouse in African writing.
A legacy living on
As the Prize celebrates 25 years, it continues to remind the world of the richness and diversity of African storytelling. This Best of Caine Award is not just a recognition—it is a tribute to the voices that have shaped modern African literature.
Whether through themes of migration, identity, history, or resilience, these writers have ensured that African stories remain at the heart of global literary discourse.
As the winner is set to be announced soon, the literary community waits in anticipation to discover which short story will be crowned the best of the last 25 years. One thing is certain—the Caine Prize’s legacy of uplifting African writers is stronger than ever, and this jubilee edition is a powerful testament to its continued impact on the world of literature.
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Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
