The ZODML Poetry Prize is an annual contest that empowers students across Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions to express their deepest thoughts, creative visions, and societal insights through the art of poetry. Whether you are an experienced poet or just discovering your gift, they want to hear your voice.

For their 2026 contest, they are calling for writers to explore the theme “Stories We Carry.” What does it mean to bear a burden for a long time? How has this story been eating you up? This contest wants to hear your grief, pain, joy, sadness, nostalgia, and more. All are welcome. Each participant is entitled to submit only one poem of up to 50 lines with a title. The deadline is August 15.

Participants must be currently enrolled as either undergraduate or postgraduate students at a public tertiary institution in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges. Graduates, sign-outs, and recent graduates are not eligible. Once you have left the shores of your university, you are deemed ineligible.

Entries may be in English or any Nigerian language. If the poem is written in a Nigerian language, the participant must also provide an English translation. Entries must be the participant’s own work. AI-generated work is prohibited. Also, entries must not have been previously published in any form or have won a prize in another competition.

The top ten finalists will be notified via email and WhatsApp. Please ensure you provide a valid email address and WhatsApp number. Finalists will be required to submit a short biography and a photograph.

The first-place winner will receive ₦500,000, a medal, and a cup for their university. The second-place winner will receive ₦300,000 and a medal. The third-place winner will receive ₦200,000 and a medal. The fourth- and fifth-place winners will each receive ₦100,000.

The copyright of each poem remains with the author. By entering the contest, authors of the top ten poems grant ZODML the perpetual right to publish and/or broadcast their poems. The use of these poems elsewhere for one year from January 2027 requires prior permission from ZODML. Submissions will not be returned. Please retain a copy for yourself. An automatic confirmation will be sent upon submission. Telephone or email confirmations are not available.

For the 2026 contest, the judging criteria will be originality and creativity, command of language and style, as well as emotional depth and resonance.