NLNG shortlisted writer May says BusinessDay review made her cry
Nikki May, NLNG-prize shortlisted writer, has said that BusinessDay’s candid review of her book made her cry. BusinessDay had reviewed and endorsed May’s book, This Motherless Land, on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Having been shortlisted for the NLNG Prize for Literature, May stated in a note to Nia Ihuoma Alexxis: “Your review made me cry. With joy. You got it. I am grateful.” Nia Ihuoma Alexxis commended Nikki May’s work in response to the discussion on the 2025 Nigeria Prize for Literature shortlist in the Executive Bookshelf in the Sunday edition of BusinessDay. She stated, “Some books entertain you. Some move you. And then there are the ones that take you by the hand, drag you across the pages, and leave you feeling transformed. Nikki May’s This Motherless Land clearly fits into that last category. “This Motherless Land is not just a novel; it’s an entire journey. It’s Lagos traffic and Somerset rain; it’s cousins who become each other’s lifeline; it’s grief, jealousy, inheritance, identity — and that complicated kind of love that isn’t romantic but still manages to feel earth-shaking. May gave us Wahala, and now she’s back — bigger, bolder, and, dare I say, even better.” Nia Alexxis then affirmed, “3x is a stunning, moving, funny, and unforgettable work. Buy it. Please read it. Lend it out. Snatch it back before your friend forgets.” And if it does go on to claim the NLNG Prize, you’ll be able to say you knew before the judges did.” BusinessDay discussed the shortlisted works. Poet, dramatist, and journalist Uzor Maxim Uzoatu previously reviewed the works of Chigozie Obioma, author of ‘The Road To The Country.’ The remaining piece is Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya. Nikki May is one of two female writers on the three-person shortlist. Oyin Olugbile is the other. Chigozie Obioma is the only remaining male. It came down to these three outstanding authors from 152 entries. A winner of the $100,000 prize will emerge this Friday at the Grand Awards Night. The literature prize is the main event, as the Science Prize Committee ruled that none of the entries was good enough. In a statement, NLNG declared, “The Advisory Board of The Nigeria Prize for Science has announced that there will be no winner for the 2025 edition, following the judges’ dissatisfaction with the overall quality of entries received.” Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Barth Nnaji, chairman of the Advisory Board, explained that after a rigorous adjudication of the 112 entries submitted this year, none was found suitable for the Prize. He stated that the decision, though difficult, reinforced the board’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the selection process and protecting the reputation of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Science. He noted that the Prize is not just about rewarding scientific output, but also about safeguarding the values of creativity, originality, and scientific rigour that define truly outstanding work. “To lower the bar would be to betray the trust of the public and diminish the legacy of the Prize itself,” Nnaji, a professor, affirmed. He commended the courage and dedication of all who submitted entries, noting that their efforts reflect discipline and a desire to contribute to both national and global scientific discourse. He emphasised that excellence transcends effort, requiring innovation, mastery of craft, and the ability to leave a lasting impact on human thought and development. The board chairman called on Nigerian scientists, researchers, and innovators to be inspired by the judges’ verdict to do more and strive higher. “The Nigeria Prize exists to celebrate only the finest achievements, work that embodies originality, withstands scrutiny, and elevates scientific discourse. Where these qualities are absent, we cannot, in good conscience, bestow the Prize,” he stated.
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