Eight Nigerians out of 20 Africans have been nominated for the 2017 Writivism Short Story Prize. They are Ama Udofa, Blessing J. Christopher, Eloghosa Osunde, Ife Olujuyigbe, John ‘Lighthouse’ Oyewale, Munachim Amah, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, and Rafeeat Aliyu.

Others are Ollier Lemvo Dondedieu Richtel, Maureen Wakarindi, Stephanie Wanga, Andrew C. Dakalira, Keletso Mopai, Kyle Allan, Saaleha Bhamjee, Joel Benjamin Ntwatwa, Precious Colette Kemigisha , Tariro Ndoro, and Régine Gwladys Lebouda.

The selection was made by a five member panel of judges chaired by Helon Habila, comprising Sumayya Lee, Haruna Ayesha Attah, Emmanuel Sigauke, and Edwige Dro.

A shortlist of five stories will be announced ahead of the 5th annual Writivism festival and the winner takes prize amount of $500. He or she is entitled to a one month residency at Stellenbosch University to complete a manuscript for their debut novel, novella or short story collection, to be published in a Writivism Series. All shortlisted writers travel to Kampala for the annual Writivism Festival and receive $100. All long listed stories are published in Writivism’s annual anthology.

Nigeria’s Pemi Aguda won the 2015 Writivism Short Story Prize for her story, ‘Caterer Caterer’.