Open Call for CCPC Anthology of Poems 2026: “Moments: Capturing Times With Words”

 

The Cross-Country Poetry Initiative (CCPI) has announced an open call for submissions to the CCPC Anthology of Poems 2026, inviting poets and lovers of poetry across Nigeria to contribute original works inspired by this year’s theme: “Moments: Capturing Times With Words.”

Since 2018, the Cross-Country Poetry Initiative has remained committed to discovering, nurturing, promoting, and showcasing poetic voices from different parts of Nigeria. Through its annual Cross-Country Poetry Celebration (CCPC), the initiative continues to create opportunities for poets to connect, share their voices, and celebrate the richness of Nigerian poetry.

Theme: “Moments: Capturing Times With Words”

For the 2026 anthology, poets are invited to explore the theme “Moments: Capturing Times With Words.”

The theme offers writers the opportunity to reflect on moments that matter, memories, encounters, experiences, emotions, milestones, struggles, celebrations, places, people, or seemingly ordinary moments that have left a lasting impression.

Participants are encouraged to submit original poems inspired by the theme for consideration for inclusion in the CCPC Anthology of Poems 2026.

What Selected Poets Can Expect

Poets whose works are selected for the anthology will have the opportunity to:

• Have their poems featured in the CCPC 2026 Anthology.
• Receive an electronic copy (e-copy) of the anthology.
• Have their poem read at CCPC locations across Nigeria during the celebration.
• Personally present their poem at a CCPC location closer to them during the 2026 celebration.

The anthology seeks to bring together diverse poetic voices and perspectives, creating a literary collection that captures different interpretations of moments through words.

About CCPC 2026 Celebration

The Cross-Country Poetry Celebration 2026 will take place on 17 October 2026 across Nigeria (36 States), Same day, Same time!

The celebration will provide an opportunity for poets and literary enthusiasts to come together and experience poetry beyond the pages of a book, while connecting with other voices from different parts of the country.

Submission Deadline

📅 Deadline: 15 September 2026

📧 Submit your poem to: ccpcsubmissions@gmail.com

Poets interested in participating are encouraged to submit their original work before the deadline for consideration.

Contact

Adegbite Uthman Adeyemi
Secretary, Cross-Country Poetry Initiative (CCPI)
☎️ +234 816 240 6757

Join the Call

If you are a poet with a moment worth remembering, this is an opportunity to capture it with words and become part of the CCPC 2026 literary journey.

Write. Submit. Be heard.

CCPC Anthology of Poems 2026 - “Moments: Capturing Times With Words.”