ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency

MEET THE SELECTED COHORTS/RESIDENTS FOR THE SECOND EDITION OF THE ANA KEN SARO-WIWA INTERNATIONAL WRITERS' RESIDENCY, 2026.
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David Onotu, aka The Oracle, is a recognized voice in Nigeria’s literary scene. Published in local and international anthologies, he is a British Council Creative Lives alumnus. He served as Vice Chairman of ANA Plateau State and is currently an Ex-Officio Member. A recipient of the Change Makers Award, Ebedi Residency Fellow, and Tender Photo Fellow, he works as a performance poet, writer, and journalist. He has written/directed stage plays and short films like "Zaman Tare" and "Bad Politics", Onotu has authored books including "How Butterflies Are Made" (a two-part series). Onotu resides in Jos, Nigeria, where he mentors creatives.

During the residency, David Onotu will work on a young adult prose fiction project that explores themes relevant to the African experience, particularly the growing influence of social media on young people. The project examines social media as a powerful tool that can empower young people by providing platforms for self-expression, networking, and access to information, while also highlighting the risks associated with its use, including cyberbullying, online harassment, and reduced attention spans resulting from excessive screen time.

Watch the full video documentary of the concluded Maiden Edition of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa Int'l Writers' Residency, 2025 under the leadership of ANA President | Dr. Usman Usman-oladipo Akanbi
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https://youtu.be/q4UE1yoHJPY?si=k4dt7jljqEkeMRFy

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Residency Manager

For and on behalf of;
NEC, ANA

NINE (9) OUTSTANDING WRITERS SELECTED FOR THE SECOND EDITION OF THE ANA KEN SARO-WIWA INTERNATIONAL WRITERS' RESIDENCY 2026 FORMALLY UNVEILED

August 8, 2026

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After the maiden edition last years 2025 and the subsequent launch of the Private Creative Residency, it's yet another milestone for Nigerian literature, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is delighted to announce the residents/cohorts of its second edition of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency. This prestigious residency, taking place at the esteemed Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village in Abuja from 5th September to 17th October 2026, brings together nine (9) talented writers who have emerged after a rigorous and highly competitive selection process across the country and abroad. We are super elated to have local and international residents/cohorts from Nigeria, Togo, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates.

Under the visionary leadership of ANA President Dr Usman-oladipo Akanbi, this landmark residency represents a bold step in strengthening the culture of literary residency in Nigeria. The selected residents embody the fearless and imaginative spirit of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigeria's renowned writer and environmental activist.

The 2026 residents/cohorts are:

LOCAL (NIGERIA)

1. David Onotu: Onotu is a recognized voice in Nigeria’s literary scene. Published in local and international anthologies, he is a British Council Creative Lives alumnus. He served as Vice Chairman of ANA Plateau State and is currently an Ex-Officio Member. A recipient of the Change Makers Award, Ebedi Residency Fellow, and Tender Photo Fellow, he works as a performance poet, writer, and journalist. He has written/directed stage plays and short films like "Zaman Tare" and "Bad Politics", Onotu has authored books including "How Butterflies Are Made" (a two-part series). Onotu resides in Jos, Nigeria, where he mentors creatives.

2. Humphrey Ogu: Humphrey Ogu is an award-winning poet and PR/media practitioner based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is the author of Echoes of Neglect, winner of the 2014 Elechi Amadi Poetry Prize and a 2017 nominee for the Nigeria Prize for Literature. A former Vice Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Rivers State, Ogu co-founded the Seaview Poetry Society, which co-hosted a weekly poetry session on Rhythm 93.7 FM, PH, since 2005. His poems have appeared in anthologies and journals across Africa and beyond. Ogu holds a Certificate, BEd, PGD, and MA in Creative Writing, English, Communication Studies, and Communication Arts.

3. NmaHassan Muhammad: NmaHassan Muhammad is a Nigerian writer, poet, mentor and cultural advocate residing in Minna, Nigeria with his family. He’s a 2025 Imodoye fellow, Highly Commended for 2025 The Welkin Prize, and winner of PRISM International's Grouse Grind Lit Prize. He has received fellowships from Oxbelly Fiction Writers Retreat, Ebedi Int’l Writers Residency and GrubStreet Short Story Incubator. His work appears or is forthcoming in Granta, PRISM International, ANA Review, Kalahari Review, Rowayat, Poetry Journal, Flash Frontier, The Welkin Prize, and Brittle Paper Festive Anthology Vol 3, and elsewhere. His writing explores grief, memory, faith, and contemporary Northern Nigerian life.

4. Stephen Adinoyi : Stephen Adinoyi’s works are published in Decolonial Passage, ANA Review, Ake Review, Ebedi Review, The Sun Newspaper, Ibua Journal, Parousia, Naira Stories, etc.
He has published novels: Teen of Fifteen and School Girl. He is anthologised in Anthologies like: Fireflies; Footmark; From Here to There; After the Curfew; Nigerian Academy of Letters' Source Book, etc.
His poem won the 2016 Korean Nigerian Poetry Prize. Won the Ibua Journal Poetry Prize in 2020; and the Ibua Journal Short Story Prize, 2020. Won a prize for his creative non fiction: The Fearless, in 2025.
A former chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Kaduna Chapter; and the Kaduna Writers’ League.

5. Nusrat Lasisi: Nusrat Ololade Lasisi is a Nigerian writer, essayist, journalist, and Master's student in Communication and Language. Her work explores womanhood, faith, migration, identity, and contemporary African society through literary fiction, essays, and cultural criticism. Her writing has appeared in Rebirth (2022), Her Rights, Our Stories (2024), the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), and on her storytelling platform, NDR (Nusrat D. Reteller). She is currently working on On The Game, a literary novel examining migration, internet fraud, religion, and the moral pressures shaping young Nigerians' lives.

6. Deborah Uzoma: Based in Owerri, Nigeria, Deborah Chinonyerem Uzoma is a scholar and emerging essayist exploring the intersection of place and literary narratives. She is the author of "My Father's House" and Other Poems, her debut work of children’s literature. Dedicated to finding joy in her craft, Deborah balances her time between creative writing and rigorous academic research.

INTERNATIONAL ( TOGO🇹🇬, GHANA🇬🇭 & UAE🇦🇪)

1. Jules Olamidé Parfait aka Mr. Clack :* Passionate about arts culture, education, and social transformation, I have been active in the artistic sphere since 2014. I am Jules Olamidé Parfait O.—a songwriter-composer, spoken-word artist, advocate for women's causes, and cultural entrepreneur. I focus particularly on issues surrounding resilience, African identity, education, women's leadership, and the promotion of cultural heritage. With several projects already completed and others soon to come, and as a native of Togo, I place great hope in the power of arts culture and literature to leave a meaningful legacy for future generations.

2. Pobee Joseph Mwintombo : Pobee Joseph Mwintombo is a Ghanaian performance poet and literary advocate whose work celebrates heritage, identity, and Africa’s enduring legacy. He is a World Poet Laureate with PENTASI B, two-time Kofi Anyidoho Spoken Word Prize winner of the Ghana Association of Writers, and member of the World Union of Poets, Italy. He is the Municipal Ambassador for Poetry in Wa, Upper West Region, Ghana. He is founder and director of Literati Creations and Children Creatives Heritage. Through his craftsmanship and literary mentorship, Mwintombo is emerging as one of the leading contemporary literary voices. He is an inspiration to many young readers and writers.

3. Salma Elnour: Salma Elnour Ahmed is a Sudanese novelist, short story writer, and cultural presenter based in the United Arab Emirates. She is the author of several novels and short story collections exploring identity, memory, women’s experiences, social consciousness, and African-Arab narratives. Her work has received literary awards and appeared in international anthologies and cultural forums. She has participated in writers’ residencies, workshops, conferences, and literary initiatives across Africa and internationally. Her current project, ZOOM, is a psychological novel exploring doubt, perception, guilt, and the fragile boundary between truth and illusion.

You're all welcome!

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir,
Residency Manager

For and on behalf of;
NEC, ANA

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency 2026 EDITION

Dates:
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: JUNE 26, 2026

CALL CLOSES: JULY 17, 2026

Location: Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape Rd, Maitama II, Abuja, Nigeria.

Association of Nigerian Authors Ken Saro-Wiwa Int'l Writers' Residency is now accepting applications for its second edition, scheduled to take place at the Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village, Mpape Hills, Abuja, Nigeria, in September 5 – October 10, 2026.We welcome interested writers to apply for this unique opportunity to focus on their craft and connect with fellow writers.

RESIDENCY APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. Applicants MUST be practicing creative writers based in Africa and currently working in the following literary genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Literary Criticism.

2. Applicants MUST have written and published at least one work, a book, orexcerpts in a reputable literary platform (print or digital) prior to this application. Make sure to indicate this and the GENRE in your Résumé. (Link, Title, Publisher, Year of publication, and ISBN)

3. Fiction, Non-fiction, and Literary Criticism applicants must submit a 500-750-wordsample of the work they intend to focus on during their stay at the Residency.

4. Poetry applicants MUST submit 5 poems from their work-in-progress.

5. Applicants MUST submit proof of their African national identity and evidence of living in the continent at the time of application.

6. Applicants MUST submit a 500-word STATEMENT OF PURPOSE stating why they need the Residency and describing what they would be working on during the Residency.

7. Applicants MUST submit a one-page profile or portfolio indicating their work.Applicants will be selected based solely on the literary quality of their application and nothing else.

8. Selected applicants MUST be willing to commit part of their time at the Residency to engage in mentorship activities with students and to participate in othercultural activities during their time here.

9.Writers MUST commit to completing the 4 WEEKS duration of the Residency (with 2 additional weeks, optional).

RESIDENCY SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

APPLICANTS are to submit the following:

1. A Comprehensive 2-Page Résumé.

2. Provide two (2) Referral Letters: (One-Page each) - One from the Chairman of their Association of Nigerian Authors State Chapter. (If you are an International Applicant, you MUST get your Referral Letter from the Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers' Association (PAWA), and the other one from a respectable Nigerian, preferably an accomplished creative writer who can attest to your eligibility.

3. Submit a brief Sample of the ongoing creative work you want to improve or complete at the Residency (a 2-page /500-750 word sample)Send your application as attachments to: [email protected]

PS: EACH APPLICATION must be submitted as a SINGLE PDF DOCUMENT, and the TITLE of the document must bear the SURNAME, FIRST NAME, and GENRE.

EMOLUMENTS

1. A Stipend of N25,000/Resident (7-Residents) per week for the four (4) weeks
2. Two (2) extra weeks at the Resident's personal expense.3. N100,000 lump sum transportation fare for LOCAL RESIDENTS and $200 for INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS

IMPORTANT DATES-

- Application Deadline: July 17, 2026-Midnight 00hrs:00

- Residency Dates: September 5 to October 10, 2026, both dates inclusive .

We look forward to receiving your applications!

CONGRATULATIONS🎉🥳🔥 Joel Oyeleke

It is with great pleasure that the organizers announce the shortlisted poets for the 2026 Gbemisola Adeoti Poetry Prize.

The three winners will be unveiled at the third edition of the ANA-OAU Books and Art Festival, taking place this Saturday at Ace Hall, ICT, Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets, and best wishes ahead of the announcement. See you at the festival!