The four-member jury comprises Prof. Olusegun Adekoya, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Dr. Joan Oji, and Moseka Ole Ntiyia.
Prof. Olusegun Adekoya - Chairman
Prof. Olusegun Adekoya, who chairs the jury, is a distinguished scholar renowned for his extensive contributions to literature and academia.
The retired professor is widely respected for his mentorship and commitment to academic development. During his career, he encouraged and supported generations of scholars, leaving a lasting impact on Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and beyond.
Dr. Joan Oji
Dr. Joan Oji, a former General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), brings extensive experience in literary administration, criticism and publishing to the panel. A grammarian and critic, Dr. Oji has played an important role in promoting Nigerian literature and supporting the interests of writers. Her work has also contributed to the recognition of literature not only as a vital part of Nigeria's cultural heritage but also as a viable professional field.
Moseka Ole Ntiyia
Representing a broader African literary perspective is Moseka Ole Ntiyia, an award-winning Kenyan writer and poet.
Ntiyia's writing explores themes including identity, political folly, human nature and absurdism. He is the author of the poetry collection Nothing Is Ever Just Nothing, and his works have appeared in notable international literary journals and magazines.
His experience as a writer and poet brings a distinctive East African perspective to the competition's judging panel.
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is an award-winning Nigerian novelist, short-story writer, journalist and columnist whose literary career has earned him considerable recognition both in Nigeria and internationally. His debut novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms, won the 2016 NLNG Prize for Literature. His subsequent novel, When We Were Fireflies, was longlisted for the 2025 edition of the Prize.
Ibrahim is also the recipient of the 2018 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, further establishing his reputation as one of the notable contemporary voices in African literature.
A Formidable Literary Jury
With the coming together of these four accomplished literary personalities, the Dr. Awele Ilusanmi Short Story Competition has assembled a panel with considerable depth of experience across scholarship, creative writing, literary criticism, publishing and literary administration. Their combined expertise is expected to bring a rigorous and credible approach to the adjudication of entries for the second edition of the competition.
Authors’ Hub expressed its appreciation to the four judges for accepting the responsibility of serving on the jury.
The announcement was signed by Sumaila Isah Umaisha, Founder/Coordinator of Authors’ Hub.
The 2nd Dr. Awele Ilusanmi Short Story Competition promises to be another significant platform for discovering, celebrating and encouraging emerging voices in African fiction.