Iduma wins Windham-Campbell Prize, 2022

A Nigerian, Emmanuel Iduma, has been listed among the winners of the Windham-Campbell Prize, 2022.   

He is among six writers of African descent who made the list.  

The Windham-Campbell Prize was established in 2013 with a gift from the late Donald Windham in memory of his partner of 40 years, Sandy M. Campbell. 

English language writers from anywhere in the world are nominated confidentially and judged anonymously for a prize worth US$165,000 each. It is administered by the Beinecke Rare Book and the Manuscript Library at Yale University. 

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While revealing the recipients of the awards for 2022, the director of the Windham-Campbell Prizes, Mike Kelleher, said the prize celebrated exceptional literary achievement and nurtured great talent by giving the precious gifts of time, space and creative freedom. 

“We are proud to mark our 10th anniversary with the most exciting list of recipients yet. Led by a trailblazing group of global women’s voices, these writers’ ambitious, skilful and moving work bridges the distance between the history of nations and a deeply personal sense of self,” he said. 

Other winners from Africa include Tsitsi Dangarembga and Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu both from Zimbabwe. 

In his reaction, Emmanuel Iduma said he was stunned when he was informed of the award.

He said, “It was a stunner, and still is, to be informed of the award of a prize of such magnitude and pre-eminence, to be listed alongside many writers I look up to. I am filled with gratitude to the Beinecke Library and remain keen with hope for the paths now made possible for me to tread.”