The Pius Oleghe Poetry and Literary Awards (POPALS), named in honour of Pius Enahoro Oleghe, a distinguished Nigerian educator who devoted more than four decades of his life to educational reform across Western Nigeria, has opened its inaugural competition for 2026. POPALS is asking young Nigerians to imagine the nation they wish to inherit and help create, at a moment when that question feels more urgent than ever. Poetry, as the organizers put it, remains one of the most powerful ways of dreaming, questioning, and reimagining a collective future.

The theme, “The Nigeria of Our Dreams,” invites Nigerian poets and residents between the ages of 18 and 35 to describe the Nigeria they dream of.

Submissions are slated to run from June 10 to June 24, 2026, closing at exactly 11:59 p.m. Nigerian time. Writers are separated into two categories according to age group: the Young Voices Category for poets aged 12 to 17 and the Emerging Poets Category for poets aged 18 to 35. Each category carries a grand prize of ₦1,000,000, bringing the total prize pool to ₦2,000,000. Winners will also receive publication opportunities, certificates of recognition, mentorship, and wider literary exposure.

Poems submitted must be original and unpublished, and between 40 and 60 lines long. They may be submitted in English or in another language with an English translation. Only one entry is permitted per poet. All submissions are to be made through the POPALS website, where the application form can be accessed.

The judges assembled for the inaugural edition represent some of the most authoritative voices in Nigerian literary scholarship: Prof. Maria Ajima, Prof. Emmanuel Sule Egya, Prof. Chimalum Nwankwo, Dr. Deji Ige, and Prof. Chike Okoye. The awards are coordinated by two figures who need little introduction: Prof. Remi Raji, award-winning poet, scholar, and former President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, and award-winning playwright Nnamdi Okose, who together serve as Literary Directors.

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