The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has conferred special honours on three eminent Nigerians: Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Dr Usman Sanni, and Dr Udenta O. Udenta, in recognition of their distinguished contributions to literature, education, and national development.
The honours were bestowed during the grand dinner and awards ceremony marking the conclusion of the 44th ANA International Convention on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, held at the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Abuja.
The event, which also featured the announcement of winners of the 2025 ANA Literary Prizes and the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature, drew together writers, scholars, publishers, cultural advocates, and government officials from across the country.
It proved a memorable celebration of literary excellence -- a fitting tribute to individuals whose vision and dedication continue to inspire creativity and intellectual growth throughout Nigeria.
In his address, the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, described the three honourees as “true allies of literature and nation-building”.
He commended Governor Soludo of Anambra State for his unwavering support of literary initiatives, particularly his sponsorship of the Chinua Achebe Prize for Literature, which he noted has become one of the most prestigious literary awards in the country.
According to Dr Akanbi, “Professor Soludo has consistently demonstrated his belief in the transformative power of education and literature.
His government’s sponsorship of the Chinua Achebe Prize underscores his commitment to preserving the legacy of one of Nigeria’s greatest literary icons while nurturing new voices in fiction.”
Dr Usman Sanni, a respected scholar and advocate of creative education, was honoured for his intellectual contributions to literary scholarship and his mentorship of emerging writers.
His extensive academic work and long-standing engagement with ANA were celebrated as exemplifying the association’s mission to promote literary excellence and national development through the written word.
Similarly, Dr Udenta O. Udenta -- a renowned writer, critic, and political thinker -- was recognised for his decades-long dedication to advancing the arts, cultural policy, and intellectual discourse in Nigeria.
The ANA leadership commended his courage in employing literature and criticism as instruments of social consciousness, political reform, and national cohesion.
In his acceptance remarks, delivered by the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who received the award on his behalf, Governor Soludo expressed profound gratitude to the association for the honour.
He dedicated the award to the people of Anambra State and to the memory of Professor Chinua Achebe, whom he described as “a guiding light to all who believe in the transformative potential of storytelling”.
Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to supporting the arts, education, and cultural development as integral components of human capital growth.
Dr Sanni, whose award was received by former ANA President Denja Abdulahi, and Dr Udenta also expressed their appreciation to the association for the recognition. Both emphasised the importance of sustained investment in creative education and national literary infrastructure, pledging to continue contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s literary culture.
The awards ceremony crowned what many described as one of the most successful ANA conventions in recent years -- an occasion that celebrated not only writers and their works but also public figures and scholars who have championed literature as a force for enlightenment, unity, and national transformation.
Through these honours, the Association of Nigerian Authors reaffirmed its enduring commitment to recognising excellence, strengthening collaboration between writers and policymakers, and ensuring that literature remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s cultural and developmental landscape.
.jpeg)