Ibrahim, 10 Nigerians, make writing scholarship shortlist
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has, along with 10 other Nigerians, made the 2016 shortlist for Morland Writing scholarship. Of the 22 names announced by Miles Morland Foundation, 11 are Nigerians, including Jekwu Anyaegbuna, Rotimi Babatunde, Nneoma Ike-Njoku, Julie Iromuanya, William Ifeanyi Moore, Otosirieze Obi-Young, Adeola Opeyemi, Olawale Olayemi, Mary Ononokpono, Koye Oyedeji, and Ibrahim. Morland said, […]
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim has, along with 10 other Nigerians, made the 2016 shortlist for Morland Writing scholarship.
Of the 22 names announced by Miles Morland Foundation, 11 are Nigerians, including Jekwu Anyaegbuna, Rotimi Babatunde, Nneoma Ike-Njoku, Julie Iromuanya, William Ifeanyi Moore, Otosirieze Obi-Young, Adeola Opeyemi, Olawale Olayemi, Mary Ononokpono, Koye Oyedeji, and Ibrahim.
Morland said, “The standard of the shortlist is always high but this year we had an even greater depth of talent than before, making the choice of a shortlist particularly difficult. We had over 500 entries, up from 385 last year and they came from 37 countries, compared with 27 last year. We have two Caine Prize winners on it, and a number of writers who have received global recognition. We are pleased also to have writers early in their career who show terrific promise. We have been blown away by the talent, imagination, energy, and humour that characterises African writing. Our only disappointment is that although we had a number of non-fiction submissions, only one made it to the short list. We are actively trying to encourage non-fiction, Africans telling Africa’s story.”
The judges, with Ellah Wakatama Allfrey from Zimbabwe as chair, assisted by Femi Terry from Sierra Leone, and Muthoni Garland from Kenya, will meet on Dec 12 to select the five 2016 Scholars. Their names will be announced shortly afterwards. The scholars will each receive £18,000, paid over the course of a year, to allow them to take time off to write the book they have proposed.
Earlier this week, Ibrahim was publicly presented as winner of the Nigerian Prize for Literature.
Morland set up the foundation which bears his name in 2013, after a career investing in Africa through two companies he created, Blakeney Management and DPI (Development Partners International). Based in London, the Miles Morland Foundation (MMF) is a UK charity which makes grants in areas reflecting its founder’s interests.