Enter these free poetry competitions Nigeria 2026. Available to writers and poets in Nigeria.
Poetry Competitions Nigeria 2026: The Complete List, Deadlines and Submission Tips
POETRY COMPETITIONS NIGERIA 2026—As a poet/writer, having a clear, complete and straightforward guide and list is always essential when entering poetry competitions. This reduces the stress and fatigue of searching for potential opportunities online.
This complete list of poetry competitions for the year, 2026, contains a complete list of poetry competitions available to poets in Nigeria. However, the few with location criteria will be specified.
Each competition's details include a specialised summary of the competition information, deadlines, entry fee (if there is), and the benefits (cash prizes and rewards). This competition guide and list is made for students, emerging poets and published writers.
Also, the list will be updated frequently to keep up with new opportunities.
Bonus: Follow our WhatsApp channel, Instagram and Facebook pages to have immediate access to the competition updates.
What to Know Before Entering Poetry Competitions Nigeria 2026
Before entering any poetry competition under this list, there are few things you should know. These are basic guides to help you understand poetry competition information, benefits and the rights to your works.
Benefits of Submitting to Poetry Competitions Nigeria 2026
Although the benefits attached to each poetry competition often differ, below are some of the common benefits you can expect from each competition.
- Cash Prizes
- Publication
- Scholarships and Mentorship
- Exposure and Credibility
How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Poetry Competition Nigeria 2026
To offer you an insider privilege, we published our feature editor's guide and advice to help you increase your chances of winning a poetry competition.
List of Available Poetry Competitions Nigeria 2026
This will be updated from time to time following new releases.
Poetry Competitions Nigeria February 2026
Poetry Competitions Nigeria March 2026
- Frontier Poetry Hurt and Healing Prize 2026
The Frontier Poetry Hurt and Healing Prize 2026 is currently open for submission. The organisers invite poets their journeys through the entanglement of pain and restoration. Frontier Poetry seeks poems that explore grief, loss, heartache, and the imperfect path taken to reach the ongoing work of healing.
Whether your poetry is authored in the midst of anguish or written from the other side, they welcome work that is transparent, honest, and poetically resonant. Frontier Poetry welcomes all interpretations of both hurting and healing. They also encourage submissions from poets of all identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: The first-place winner will receive $3,000 and publication. The second- and third-place winners will receive $300 and $200, respectively, along with publication. All finalists will be considered for paid publication in New Voices.
Deadline: March 8
- MairtÃn Crawford Awards for Poetry and Short Story 2026
The MairtÃn Crawford Awards are aimed at writers working towards their first full collection of poetry, short stories, or a novel.
Both published and unpublished writers are invited to submit between 3-5 poems for the poetry award, and a short story of up to 2,500 words for the short story award, with the only stipulation being that they have not yet published a full collection of poetry, short stories, or a novel.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: The Winner of each Award will receive a £500 cash Prize. In addition, each Winner can take up time a ‘Time to Write’ package which includes a 3-night stay at a Hotel in Belfast, and 4 days of dedicated writing space in The Crescent. Two Runners Up for each Category will receive a £250 cash prize.
Deadline: March 11
- The London Magazine Poetry Prize 2026
The London Magazine Poetry Prize 2026 is currently open for submission. Established to encourage emerging literary talent, the award provides an opportunity for publication and recognition. While there is no criteria as to theme, form or style, judges are looking for resonant and accomplished work.
Poems must be previously unpublished and no longer than 40 lines. Submissions are open for international entries.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: All three prize winners will appear in a print issue of The London Magazine. Prize winners will also receive cash prizes, and will be celebrated at a prize-giving event in the summer.
Deadline: March 13
- The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2026
The Caterpillar Poetry Prize is an annual prize for unpublished poems written by adults for children aged 7-11. Every year since 2015, The Caterpillar Poetry Prize has been awarded to a single poem by a single judge among them John Hegley, Chrissie Gittins, Roger McGough, Michael Morpurgo & Michael Rosen.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: 1st prize €1,000 plus a week at The Moth Retreat in Ireland
2nd prize €500
3rd prize €250
The winning poems will be published in the Irish Times online.
Deadline: March 31
- The Nigeria Prize for Literature 2026
Entries are currently invited for the Nigeria Prize for Literature. The yearly literature prize is sponsored by NLNG to honour the author of the best book by a Nigerian. The prize rotates among four literary genres - Prose Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Children’s Literature. This year, the competition is for Poetry.
Open to: Nigerian writers
Benefits: $100,000
Deadline: March 31
Poetry Competitions Nigeria April 2026
- Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest 2026
The Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest is open freely to poets to submit their best published or unpublished humour poems.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: $3,750 in total.
- First Prize: $2,000 plus a two-year gift certificate from Duotrope (a $100 value) and five years of Chill Subs' Best plan (a $1,000 value)
- Second Prize: $500 plus two years of Chill Subs' Best plan (a $400 value)
- Third Prize: $250 plus two years of Chill Subs' Best plan (a $400 value)
- Honorable Mentions: 10 awards of $100 each plus one year of Chill Subs' Best plan (a $200 value)
- Top 13 entries published online
Deadline: April 1
Poetry Competitions Nigeria May 2026
- The Montreal International Poetry Prize
The Montreal International Poetry Prize is awarded to original works of poetry. A cash prize of $20,000 CAD will be awarded to a poet for a single poem of forty or fewer lines.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: $20,000 CAD
Deadline: May 15
- Bridport Prize for Poetry, Short Story and Flash Fiction 2026
Bridport Prize 2026 is currently open for submission. The prizes are awarded to poets, short story and flash fiction writers.
Open to: Worldwide
Benefits: First prize: £5,000, Second prize: £1,000, Third prize: £500 and publication.
Deadline: May 31
Poetry Competitions Nigeria June 2026
- 2026 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize
The 2026 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize is currently open for submission. Writers of any age, gender, nationality or background who have not published book-length works are invited to submit their works in contest for a cash prize of £1,000 in each category. The winners will also have a print publication in Wasafiri. If a work in translation wins, the cash prize will be split equally between the author and translator.
All winners and shortlisted writers will be offered the Chapter and Verse or Free Reads mentoring scheme in partnership with The Literary Consultancy (dependent on eligibility), as well as a one-year print subscription to Wasafiri.
Open to: Worldwide.
Benefits: £1,000 cash prize in each category.
Deadline: June 30
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