Nigerian-Irish author Dexter Loko
Nigerian-Irish author Dexter Loko has won the 2026 Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature for his second book, The Bako of Zereshé, landing a distinguished literary honour.
The award, announced on Saturday at the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) 45th Annual International Convention in Abuja comes with a cash reward of ₦1 million sponsored by United Nigeria Airlines.
The prize was presented by award-winning author and ANA Vice-President, Obari Gomba.
Loko’s novel emerged winner from a shortlist that included No Place Like Home by Henry Akubuiro and Chikoba by Onyedikachi Uzozie Nmezi and published in July 2026 by Lagos-based GrandTouch Press, The Bako of Zereshé is a 170,000-word epic fantasy that combines Nigerian history, culture and mythology with magic, political intrigue and adventure.
The victory marks a significant milestone in Loko’s literary career, particularly as his debut collection of 15 short stories, The Day the Sun Vanished, was independently published in November 2023.
His latest work has now earned him recognition among contemporary Nigerian prose fiction writers, highlighting the growing possibilities for fantasy literature rooted in the country’s history, culture and identity.
Born in Nigeria and based in Ireland, Loko has attributed his literary imagination to his upbringing, during which he was exposed to Nigerian stories, cultural traditions and an extensive home library provided by his parents.
These early experiences, according to the author’s account of his literary journey, have continued to influence his storytelling, particularly his exploration of Nigerian settings, identities and imaginative possibilities.
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