Four Nigerians: Hussani Abdulrahim, Oluwatoke Adejoye, Dawn Immanuel, and Ola Halim have been shortlisted for the 2026 Commonwealth short story prize.
Here is a brief profile of each:
Hussani Abdulrahim
Hussani Abdulrahim represents a growing cohort of northern Nigerian writers bringing underrepresented perspectives into global literary conversations. His shortlisted story, Arewa Girls, draws from the socio-cultural realities of northern Nigeria, often referred to as “Arewa,” and is expected to explore themes around gender, identity, and societal expectations.
Abdulrahim’s writing is marked by a quiet intensity, often focusing on the inner lives of characters navigating tradition and modernity. His work reflects a broader movement in Nigerian literature that seeks to diversify narratives beyond the country’s dominant urban and southern-centric storytelling. By foregrounding voices and experiences from northern communities, he contributes to a more layered and inclusive literary landscape.
Oluwatoke Adejoye
Oluwatoke Adejoye’s fiction is rooted in the emotional and psychological transitions that define contemporary life. In her shortlisted story, New Things, she explores the complexities of change—whether personal, cultural, or generational.
Adejoye’s storytelling often centres on characters at crossroads, grappling with shifting identities in a rapidly evolving society. Her prose is typically introspective, with a focus on subtle emotional shifts rather than dramatic plot twists. As part of a younger generation of Nigerian writers, she reflects the anxieties and aspirations of millennials navigating globalisation, migration, and cultural inheritance.
Her inclusion on the shortlist signals growing recognition for writers who interrogate everyday experiences with depth and sensitivity.
Dawn Immanuel
Dawn Immanuel stands out for her imaginative approach to storytelling, often blending realism with elements of the surreal and speculative. Her shortlisted story, The God Under the Bed, suggests a narrative that may traverse the boundaries between childhood fears, spirituality, and psychological tension.
Immanuel’s work is emblematic of a broader shift in African literature toward genre-fluid storytelling, where traditional literary fiction intersects with speculative and experimental forms. Her writing often invites readers to question reality, belief systems, and the unseen forces that shape human behaviour.
By weaving together the mystical and the mundane, Immanuel contributes to a vibrant and evolving literary tradition that embraces both African spirituality and global storytelling techniques.
Ola W. Halim
Ola W. Halim is steadily building a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most promising contemporary writers. His shortlisted story, Shock Me I Shock You, reflects a bold, modern voice that engages with themes of power, relationships, and societal tension.
Halim’s return to the Commonwealth Short Story Prize shortlist—having previously been recognised in 2021—signals both consistency and growth in his craft. His writing is often characterised by sharp dialogue, layered characters, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.
His work resonates with a generation of readers attuned to the complexities of modern Nigerian life, from urban pressures to shifting social norms. With this latest recognition, Halim further cements his place among emerging African writers gaining international attention.
