“How I felt when I was Declared winner of NLNG Prize for Literature 2025” — Oyin Olugbile opens up; Says African storytelling is a Gold yet to be discovered
“How I felt when I was Declared winner of NLNG Prize for Literature 2025” — Oyin Olugbile opens up; Says African storytelling is a Gold yet to be discovered
“The NLNG Prize pushes writers to produce excellence — and that strengthens African literature.”
Oyin Olugbile
After emerging winner of this year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, Oyin, author of the acclaimed novel Sanya, speaks about her journey, her creative process, and what the victory means to her and to African storytelling. In this exclusive conversation, with Newsmediang, she opens up about faith, identity, and the responsibility of telling African stories with truth and depth.
“The Story Had to Stand Out”
Q: Would you say you’re lucky, or that your work stood out to be declared the winner out of 250 entries this year?
Oyin:
First, I don’t think I’d just be lucky and the judges would declare a badly written book as the winner — do you understand what I mean? The story had to stand out. I remember when Professor Akachi was announcing why Sanya won, she talked about the writing, the techniques, and all those elements that made it special. So yes, the story stood out — and maybe a little bit of luck too. And if you ask me, I’d say I believe in God as well.
> “The story had to stand out. You can’t just be lucky and win with a badly written book.”
Oyin Olugbile while being presented with the award
“My Heart Was Beating Really Fast”
Q: How did you feel when you were announced as the winner?
Oyin:
My heart was beating really fast because it could have been anybody’s name. There were three strong contenders, and honestly, I didn’t even think of myself as one of them. As the names were being called — except mine — I thought, “Okay, it’s not me.” But when I finally heard my name, I actually heard it with my ears, but my scream didn’t catch up immediately. I was like, “Wait, what?” And that’s when the excitement, shock, and joy hit me all at once.
The Meaning Behind Sanya
Q: The name Sanya — how did you come up with it, and what does it mean to you?
Oyin:
The name Sanya by itself doesn’t mean much; it’s just a person’s name. But in the story, it carries deep meaning. In Yoruba culture, children are often named based on the circumstances surrounding their birth or conception. Names have intention, meaning, and sometimes drama.
In Sanya, Ajoke — the mother — had suffered greatly: several stillbirths, one sickly child, and then a prophecy that she would give birth to a warrior child. So, Sanya symbolises victory, strength, and restoration — all the pain paying off in the end.
“It Wasn’t About Gender Confusion”
Q: In light of global gender debates, were you trying to make a statement with Sanya?
Oyin:
No, not directly. But there’s a deeper layer to it. We didn’t create ourselves, obviously, but we also understand who we are because of what we’ve been told we are. Writing Sanya wasn’t about promoting gender distortion.
Even though Sanya experienced transformations, she still fell in love with a man. Many readers missed that she even got pregnant — that detail was lost on some. For me, the story wasn’t about gender confusion but about humanity, destiny, and complexity.
“My Faith Was Never Compromised”
Q: You’re a Christian. To write such a deep book, did you have to compromise your faith during research?
Oyin:
I think what you’re really asking is whether I had to throw Ifa somewhere, right? (laughs) No, I didn’t.
I went deep intellectually. God gave us minds so we could think and explore. Too often, we limit ourselves by limiting our minds. My faith was never compromised. I simply dug deep into my Yoruba roots and Nigerian heritage — parts of our identity we often leave unexplored.
> “God gave us minds to explore — my faith wasn’t compromised.”
The African Child and the Search for Identity
Q: After winning, you mentioned “the African child lost in the wilderness but not yet found.” What did you mean?
Oyin:
It ties back to identity. The African child is lost because we’ve been told to ignore ourselves and focus elsewhere. We think anything African is pagan or evil — but do we even understand what ‘pagan’ means?
When we start questioning and understanding our roots, we’ll begin to see ourselves clearly. We’ll prosper, as the Bible says, “even as our soul prospers.” Imagine an African child who truly understands their identity — how powerful their storytelling and creativity would be.
“African Storytelling Is Gold”
Q: Going forward, how do you want to change society’s narrative through your writing?
Oyin:
The narrative I’m passionate about is African storytelling. It’s gold — truly the best thing. And we need to start tapping into it, not just in literature, but in history, academia, and art.
Coming from a social impact background, I believe in the theory of change. Storytelling is a major part of that — from input to outcome. I want the world to focus on African stories, our originality, and our voices. Imagine creating our own “Marvel” characters rooted in African mythology — not just for Nigeria, but for a global audience.
“Even My Own Eyes Are on Me”
Q: Now that you’ve won, all eyes are on you. What’s next?
Oyin:
Even my own eyes are on me! (laughs) People are curious — “Who is she? Where did she come from? Let me see the book that won.” There’s a lot of expectation, but I’m excited about it.
“Please, Read Sanya”
Q: What message do you have for people who now look up to you?
Oyin:
My message is simple: please read Sanya. Read my other books too. I hope they inspire you — not just writers, but anyone with imagination.
Growing up, many of us didn’t set out to be writers. We just loved reading Dan Brown, Sandra Brown, and others. Literature shaped our imagination. Even with AI evolving, I believe literature will always remain relevant.
The Making of Sanya
Q: How long did it take you to write Sanya?
Oyin:
The idea came in 2017, but it wasn’t published until 2022. I took my time researching — I won’t write anything I haven’t deeply studied. I’d write, step back, then write again.
“The Most Challenging Part Was Writing Sanya Herself”
Q: What was the most challenging part of writing Sanya?
Oyin:
Writing Sanya herself was the biggest challenge. Imagine developing such a complex character — a woman who wants to save the world, even if it means destroying parts of it. Her intentions are pure, but her actions are chaotic.
It was mentally demanding, but rewarding, especially centring the story around a strong female warrior.
Future Projects and Ambitions
Q: Would you submit for the prize again? What are you working on next?
Oyin:
Yes, I’m working on the sequel to Sanya, another novel, and a few thrillers. I’m also developing a children’s book series — I have many children, so why not write something for them? (laughs) Expect a few more books from me soon.
On the Nigeria Prize for Literature
Q: What’s your opinion on the NLNG Prize for Literature and its impact?
Oyin:
It’s done a lot. Imagine writers not just writing for writing’s sake, but striving for excellence. The prize motivates writers to bring out their best — and that can only make Nigerian and African literature stronger.
> “The NLNG Prize pushes writers to produce excellence — and that strengthens African literature.”
“I Didn’t Even Submit the Book Myself”
Q: You started writing Sanya in 2017. Did you write it for the prize?
Oyin:
No, not at all. I didn’t even submit it myself — my publishers did. I got a form in February 2025; I was pregnant then and gave birth in March. When the longlist came out in June or July, I was shocked! I’d completely forgotten about it until my publisher reminded me. (laughs)
“Reading Enlightens the Mind”
Q: How would you encourage people to read more?
Oyin:
Reading culture is fading. You can see it on social media — people react before thinking. Back in the day, we were taught to “read the room,” to think before speaking. That patience comes from reading.
An average Nigerian doesn’t even know what the constitution looks like, yet we’re quick to shout about politics. Reading enlightens the mind — it helps us understand before we react.
Writers Who Inspire Her
Q: Do you have writers, local or international, that inspire you?
Oyin:
Internationally, I love Natasha Ngan, author of Girls of Paper and Fire. Of course, Chimamanda Adichie — she’s global, so let me call her international too before she slaps me! (laughs)
I also love Helon Habila and Elechi Amadi. Their works influenced me deeply.
“African storytelling is a gold yet to be discovered— the world just needs to start listening.”