ABUJA/Nigeria: The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) 2025 has unveiled its regional finalists from an impressive pool of 106 entries, celebrating the finest of Nigeria’s emerging literary voices. Among the distinguished finalists is Ejiro Umukoro, a fast-rising figure in African literature, who emerged as the South-South regional finalist for her powerful novel, “The Distortion of Hardassah.”
The recognition cements Umukoro’s reputation as one of the continent’s most promising storytellers. Her work, “The Distortion of Hardassah,” offers a deeply emotional and socially conscious exploration of identity, acceptance, and opportunity through the experiences of 11 young Nigerians navigating the complexities of modern society.
Umukoro first gained national attention with her debut novel, “Distortion,” which drew critical acclaim for its groundbreaking portrayal of mental health and crime. The novel has been approved by the Delta State Ministry of Education as a literature textbook for secondary schools and was selected as the “Book of Discussion” during the 2024 World Press Freedom Day by the United States Agency for Global Media.
Her literary impact has resonated beyond Nigeria’s borders, earning commendations from major media platforms such as BusinessDay, News Central, Arise News, TVC, Trust TV, and The Guardian, as well as a mention by the Pulitzer Centre.
Speaking on the announcement, Jerry Adesewo, representing The Young Book Lovers Initiative (TYBLI), organisers of YALP, commended the high calibre of submissions received. “We are delighted to announce the regional finalists of the Young Adult Literature Prize 2025. We received an overwhelming response from talented writers across the country, and the quality of submissions was exceptional,” he said.
In her reaction, Umukoro expressed delight at her selection, describing it as a fulfilling moment for her literary journey. “This literary honour is indeed exciting news to wrap the year. It gives me great joy to be selected on the longlist of the Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) 2025,” she stated.
According to the organisers, each of the six regional winners will receive a cash prize of ₦500,000, while the overall national winner will take home ₦1.5 million and a publishing deal. The competition, now in its annual cycle, aims to inspire young adult writers to keep writing, learning, and dreaming while providing them a national and international platform to showcase their creativity.
Other regional finalists for the 2025 edition include Ikemefuna Chinenyike Lawrence Ezemagu (“Garden of Garget” – South East), Sarah Yousuph (“When the Road Curves” – South West), Adoo Gyuur (“Daughters of Ashes” – North Central), Daniel Yohanna (“A Boy From Far North” – North East), and Yusrah Bashir Gaga (“My Darkest Nightmares” – North West).
The Young Adult Literature Prize (YALP) continues to serve as a beacon for literary excellence in Nigeria, fostering creativity among young writers and spotlighting the next generation of storytellers shaping Africa’s literary future.
