The author of ‘The Road Does Not End,’ Olubunmi Familoni, has been named the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature winner, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited.
The announcement was made during the Grand Award Night held at Eko Hotel in Lagos on Friday evening.
Familoni’s work, which explores the issue of child labor, earned him a prestigious award and a cash prize of $100,000.
‘The Road Does Not End’ touches on themes of resilience, human connection, and self-improvement.
The Chairperson of the Advisory Board, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, praised the book for addressing critical social issues. She said, “The Road Does Not End addresses critical social issues, particularly child labor, and explores the importance of relationships and personal growth. The book shows how resilience can help overcome societal challenges.”
Familoni was one of three finalists, alongside Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo, author of ‘A Father’s Pride,’ and Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike, author of ‘Wish Maker.’
This year’s prize focused on children’s literature, with the shortlisted works reflecting the competition’s emphasis on shaping young minds.
Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo also commented on the selection process: “We prioritized excellence and the impact the shortlisted books could have on young Nigerians. This prize is not just about literary merit but also the messages that resonate with the future generation.”
The panel of judges for the 2024 edition was led by Professor Saleh Abdu of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, alongside Professor Vicky Sylvester and Dr. Osarobu Igudia.
Abdu noted the high quality of the submissions, remarking, “Children’s literature requires a careful balance of creativity and moral value, and the works we selected exemplify this balance.”
It was also announced that there would be no winner for the Literary Criticism category this year.
