Sabi Arts Launches New Playwright Prize for Nigerian Dramatists
Nigerian playwrights have a new opportunity to take their work from the page to the stage with the launch of the Sabi Arts Playwright Prize. Established by Sabi Arts Limited, the annual award offers ₦1.4 million across three categories, with the winning playwright also receiving the opportunity to have their work staged. Submissions are open until December 20, 2026, to Nigerian writers aged 18 and above, whether they live in the country or abroad. Eligible entries must be original plays that have neither been published nor produced, giving emerging dramatists an opportunity to present new work for consideration.
The prize is structured around three awards: a ₦1 million Grand Prize, a ₦200,000 Runner-Up Prize and the ₦200,000 Julie Okoh Prize. The Grand Prize includes script development and a live production with Ouida Lagos within 36 months of the winner’s announcement, while the runner-up will be recognised for outstanding theatrical craft. Named after Professor Julie Okoh, the third award celebrates a woman playwright whose work centres women’s experiences and engages with issues affecting women. Its winner will receive a professionally developed stage reading within 12 months, subject to Sabi Arts’ production schedule. All three winners will also gain entry to the organisation’s next writers’ residency. The selection process will involve three rounds of blind review, with the longlist scheduled for January 31, 2027, the shortlist for February 28, and the winners announced on March 31.
Beyond the cash awards, Sabi Arts plans to publish a digital anthology containing the three winning plays and three additional shortlisted scripts selected by the jury. The collection is intended to preserve the work and make it accessible to readers, educators and theatre practitioners. The inaugural jury comprises playwright and artistic director Farah Lawal Harris; producer and creative director Kelvin Mary Ndukwe; artistic director Rufus Nwoko; and playwright and director Kesiena C. Obue. The prize builds on the work of Sabi Arts founder Ibi Kontein, a Nigerian researcher, playwright, producer and director whose theatre productions include Back For Ground and Dear Applicant. Playwrights interested in applying can find submission details at sabiarts.org or contact playwrightsprize@sabiarts.org.
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