Since its debut in 1989, until its eventual end in 2011, the Commonwealth Best Fist Book Prize has been won seven times at the regional level by Nigerians with Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, emerging as the overall and regional winner in 2005.
This is a list of seven winners of the prestigious prize from Nigeria since its inception till its abrupt end.
1. Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani for “I Do Not Come To You By Chance”
Writer and journalist, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani won the 2010 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize for her debut, “I Do Not Come To You By Chance”. It trails the gradual rise and spread of internet fraud, led by young people desperate to escape poverty. Nwaubani writes about this issue, with the clarity of one who has been there.
2. Uwem Akpan for “Say You’re One Of Them”
Jesuit priest and writer, Uwem Akpan, won the 2009 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize (regional) for his stunning collection of short stories, “Say You’re One Of Them”. This collection of five stories, portrays the features and regalia of poverty, violence and all the societal ills plaguing Africa.
3. Sade Adeniran “Imagine This”
Sade Adeniran, won the 2008 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize (regional) for her debut novel, “Imagine This.” Written in the form of a diary, “Imagine This” follows the story of Lola and Adebola, abandoned by their mother and bedeviled by a barrage of calamities.
4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for “Purple Hibiscus”
Award winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, was the overall and regional winner of the 2005 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize. “Purple Hibiscus,” follows the story of Kambili and Jaja, brought up by a self-righteous catholic father, who not only abuses his children in the name of atonement, but also his wife.
5. Helon Habila for “Waiting for an Angel”
First Chinua Achebe Fellow at Bard College, Helon Habila, won the 2003 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize (regional) for his debut, “Waiting for an Angel.” Set during the draconian Abacha regime, “Waiting for an Angel” tells the story of love in the most impossible of times.
6. Funso Aiyejina “Legends of the Rockhills and Other Stories”
Funso Aiyejina, won the 2000 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize (regional) for his collection of short stories, “Legends of the Rockhills and Other Stories.” Aiyejina’s collection, depicts satirically the abundance of wealth in the vastness of poverty in Nigeria.
7. Karen King Aribasala “Our Wife and Other Stories”
Author of “The Hangman’s Game,” Karen King Aribasala, won the 1991 Commonwealth Best First Book Prize (regional) for her collection of short stories, “Our Wife and Other Stories.” Aribasala’s collection resonates with the theme of cultural alienation.