The inaugural Abebi Award in Afro Non-Fiction is now open for application of essays by Nigerian women. Named after the mother of founder, Mofiyinfoluwa Okupe, the award aims to appreciate female Nigerian essayists. The winner will be given a sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, and the first runner up will be awarded one hundred thousand naira. The award is sponsored by the CEO of Greoh Studios Jadesola Osiberu.

Nigerian editor and writer Ajoke Bodunde, Big Cab Medial Directior OpenAdedeji, and Founder Mofiyinfoluwa Okupe, would be judging the 2023 edition of the Abebi Award.

Submission Guidelines include:

The award is open to Nigerian women, 18 and above who were born in, grew up in, or have significant lived experience within and proximity to the country. We encourage entries from queer women.

The award is open to writers who have not published a complete body of work, and will not have done so by December 2023.

All entries should be submitted to abebiaward@gmail.com, attached in .doc format. The attached entries should not bear any identifying information in the attached document as all submissions will be considered anonymously. The body of the email submission however should please include the writer’s full name, city of residence in Nigeria, and a brief bio.

All entries should be nonfiction: i.e. real life stories derived from true events from the writer’s life. We would love to read essays that delve deep into emotional interiorities, family relations, gendered expectations, patriarchal conditioning and triumph. This does not mean essays must be sad, or political but that they depict the complexities of what it is to move as a woman in this country.

All entries should be within the range of 1,500–3,000 words in length.

Deadline: November 14, 2023 at 6 PM WAT