A law student of the University of Ibadan, Aremu Goodness Adejare, and teenage writer Uzoigwe Miracle have emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Pius Oleghe Poetry and Literary Awards, earning ₦1 million each alongside publication, mentorship and literary development opportunities.
Miracle won the Young Voices category for participants aged 12 to 17 years, while Adejare claimed the Emerging Poets category for writers aged 18 to 35 years.
Adejare, a poet, essayist and first-class law student at the University of Ibadan, was recognised for his exceptional contribution in the Emerging Poets category.
According to the organisers, the inaugural competition attracted more than 145 entries from young writers across Nigeria and beyond under the theme, “Nigeria of Our Dreams.”
The winners were selected after a rigorous assessment by an independent panel of judges comprising Prof. Maria Ajima, Prof. Emmanuel Sule Egya, Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, Dr. Deji Ige, and Prof. Chike Okoye.
The awards were coordinated by award-winning poet and former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Prof. Remi Raji, alongside acclaimed playwright Nnamdi Okose, who served as literary directors.
In a statement jointly signed by Raji and Okose, the organisers praised the quality of submissions, describing them as evidence of the immense literary talent among young Nigerians and the enduring role of poetry in inspiring hope and national reflection.
The judges noted that Uzoigwe Miracle distinguished herself in the Young Voices category through exceptional creativity, originality and poetic craftsmanship, while Aremu Goodness Adejare was honoured in the Emerging Poets category for producing a poem marked by artistic excellence and thoughtful engagement with the competition’s theme.
Beyond the cash prizes, the winners will receive certificates of recognition, publication opportunities, mentorship and broader literary exposure.
The organisers also announced that shortlisted entries would be featured in the inaugural Pius Oleghe Poetry Prize Anthology, preserving some of the finest works submitted for the competition.
They commended all participants for the high standard of entries and reaffirmed their commitment to discovering, nurturing and celebrating literary excellence while creating platforms for emerging writers to showcase their work across Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.
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