Education
Cheluchi Beats 10 Others to Grab $100k NLNG Literature Prize
By Adedapo Adesanya
Author Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia is the winner of the $100,000 NLNG Literature Prize for 2021.
Ms Onyemelukwe-Onuobia’s novel, The Son of the House, was announced the winner at a ceremony held on Saturday night, as she beat others shortlisted in an 11-man list.
The Advisory Board had in July announced the shortlist of 11 drawn from 202 books in the running for the 2021 edition of the prize.
The 11 books on the shortlist, in alphabetical order by the title of the book were:
1. Delusion of Patriots, Obianuju V. Chukwuorji
2. Give Us Each Day, Samuel Monye
3. Imminent River, Anaele Ihuoma
4. In The Name of Our Father, Olukorede S. Yishau
5. Mountain of Yesterday, Tony Nwaka
6. Neglected, Lucy Chiamaka Okwuma
7. The Colours of Hatred, Obinna Udenwa
8. The Girl with The Louding Voice, Abi Dare
9. The Return of Half- Something, Chukwudi Eze
10. The Son of The House, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia
11. Your Church My Shrine, Law Ikay Ezeh.
The list was presented by the Chairman, Panel of Judges for this year’s Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Toyin Jegede, who is a professor of Literature in English at the University of Ibadan.
The other judges were Professor Tanimu Abubakar and Dr Solomon Azumurana. Professor Abubakar is a Professor of Literature in the Faculty of Art, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Dr Azumurana is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Lagos.
The judges described the shortlist as fresh approaches to looking at issues, using new and exciting narrative strategies, techniques and well-written organic plots to present topical discussions in realistic ways.
The judges stated that there has been a visible improvement in writing skills and commended Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) for giving writers the platform to blossom and experiment.
According to the Chairperson of the prize’s Advisory Board, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, the board unanimously agreed that the shortlist of 11 was an excellent list.
She expressed her appreciation to the judges for a thorough job in selecting the shortlist. She stated that excellence was the watchword of the prize, adding that the onus was on the Advisory Board to continue in the tradition that was handed to them by the past board.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature has since 2004 rewarded eminent writers such as Gabriel Okara (co-winner, 2005, poetry) for The Dreamer, His Vision; Professor Ezenwa Ohaeto, for his volume of poetry, Chants of a Minstrel (co-winner, 2005, poetry); Ahmed Yerima (2005, drama) for his classic, Hard Ground; Mabel Segun (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) for her collection of short plays Reader’s Theatre; Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo (co-winner, 2007, children’s literature) with her book, My Cousin Sammy; Kaine Agary with her book, Yellow Yellow (2008, prose); Esiaba Irobi (2010, drama) who clinched the prize posthumously with his book Cemetery Road; Adeleke Adeyemi (2011, children’s literature) with his book The Missing Clock; Chika Unigwe (2012, prose), with her novel, On Black Sister’s Street; Tade Ipadeola (2013, poetry) with his collection of poems, The Sahara Testaments; Professor Sam Ukala (2014, drama) with his play, Iredi War; Abubakar Adam Ibrahim with his novel Season of Crimson Blossoms (2016, prose); Ikeogu Oke with his collection of poetry, The Heresiad; (2017, poetry); Soji Cole with his play, Embers (2018, drama); and Jude Idada with his book, Boom, Boom (2019, Children Literature).
The Nigeria Prize for Literature runs concurrently with the Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism (also sponsored by NLNG), for which four entries were received in 2020. The literary criticism prize carries a monetary value of N1 million.
The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary categories – prose fiction, poetry, drama, and children’s literature.
A shortlist of three is expected in September. A winner, if any, will be announced by the Advisory Board in October.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Teachers in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, 2026, commenced an indefinite strike to protest the abduction of their colleagues and some pupils about two weeks ago.
The teachers withdraw their services from schools until further notice in compliance with the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
In a statement on Sunday, the group said the industrial action affects all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State.
They are aggrieved over the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release remain uncertain.
According to the union, the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.
The NUT said the industrial action is aimed at drawing the attention of government authorities to the urgent need to intensify efforts toward securing the safe release of the abductees without further delay.
It urged all teachers to comply fully with the directive, remain law-abiding, and stay safe in their respective homes throughout the period of the strike.
The association also reaffirmed its solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils, and their families, stressing that lawful engagements with relevant government authorities would continue until the victims regain their freedom.
The NUT assured members that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and security of teachers and learners across the country.
A few weeks ago, some terrorists stormed the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and kidnapped dozens of children and teachers. They have remained in captivity, with the federal government only sending a delegation to the town on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, KolaDaisi University (KDU), in a bid to strengthen the talent-to-industry pipeline, will hold its inaugural Career Fair at its campus in Ibadan, Oyo State, with over 200 final-year students, alumni, and a diverse range of leading employers across multiple sectors expected to partake in the programme.
The one-day event, organised by the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, will feature participation from top-tier organisations spanning finance, consulting, technology, manufacturing, and other key industries.
Participating companies will engage directly with students, offering opportunities for graduate trainee programmes, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) placements, internships, and entry-level employment.
In addition to recruitment opportunities, the Career Fair will include a series of industry-led sessions, panel discussions, and networking engagements designed to provide students with insights into workplace expectations, emerging career trends, and professional development pathways.
“At KolaDaisi University, we are deliberate about preparing our students for life beyond the classroom. This Career Fair represents a critical platform for fostering meaningful engagement between our students and industry leaders.
“It is not just an event, but a long-term investment in partnerships that will drive innovation, talent development, and economic growth,” the President of the Directorate of Advancement and Alumni Relations, Mrs Olasumbo Obaseki, stated.
The Career Fair underscores the university’s commitment to equipping its students with not only academic excellence but also the practical skills, professional exposure, and networks required for success in today’s competitive labour market.
It is put together in collaboration with key industry partners, including Chapel Hill Denham, Mobile Screens and Sound Limited, SKOT Communications, LEADWAY Assurance, HighlerLife Properties Consult Ltd, Idea Konsult, New Horizons Nigeria, alongside several other organisations committed to nurturing emerging talent.
These partnerships reflect a shared vision of developing a workforce that is both competent and responsive to evolving industry needs.
This impactful and timely initiative is an essential platform for aligning academic outcomes with industry expectations.
The initiative forms part of KDU’s broader institutional strategy to enhance graduate employability through sustained industry engagement, career readiness programmes, and alumni relations.
By creating structured opportunities for interaction between students and employers, the institution continues to position itself as a forward-thinking institution committed to producing globally competitive graduates.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Professor Segun Aina has been appointed to replace Professor Is-haq Oloyede as the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The two-term tenure of his successor expires on July 31, 2026.
Mr Aina was chosen for the position by President Bola Tinubu, and he is expected to bring to bear his vast experience, knowledge and practical insight into the operations of the board, to take the critical educational organisation beyond the laudable heights achieved by his predecessor.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Professor Aina, who will be 40 in July, is a distinguished academic and systems expert with extensive experience in national examination systems, digital infrastructure, and public-sector institutional reform.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, and a PhD in Digital Signal Processing, both from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. He has also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.
A Professor of Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr Aina began his career with JAMB during his National Youth Service, gaining foundational experience in national admissions and data-driven institutional processes. These insights have shaped his ongoing contributions to examination reform and systems optimisation.
With over 15 years of post-graduation experience, Professor Aina operates at the intersection of technology, policy, and institutional transformation, advising federal and state governments on system design, digital transition, and operational reform. At 39, he became one of Nigeria’s youngest Computer Engineering professors and will now make history as JAMB’s youngest registrar.
He has served as a consultant to major examination bodies, including NECO, NABTEB, and various State Ministries of Education, providing expertise on ICT systems, examination integrity, and digital process optimisation.
Professor Aina is a member of several professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
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