3rd Annual Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize Unveils Winners, Celebrating Nigeria's Rising Female Poets

August brought a moment of pride and inspiration for ProjectASHA as we concluded the 2024 Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize. This annual event, dedicated to empowering young women and teenage girls across Nigeria, has once again showcased their incredible talent and passion for poetry. With 130 entries received, the competition was fierce and full of promise. Over the course of two impactful days, 15 finalists captivated the audience with their powerful performances, all vying for the 500,000 Naira prize. The event was a profound tribute to Vweta Chadwick’s legacy, blending creativity and empowerment in a truly historic celebration.

Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize Uplifts Women’s Voices

The Poetry Prize is more than just a contest; it’s a distinctive platform where poetry acts as a bridge, connecting hearts and amplifying the voices of young women. This year’s theme, Women Together: We Heal, We Build, We Lift, reflects the collective strength and unity required to address contemporary challenges through community-driven efforts. The Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize is committed to celebrating and promoting literary excellence in poetry. It is a dedicated space where words bridge the gap between hearts, and the voices of young women are heard, valued, and empowered.

Organized by ProjectASHA, an NGO dedicated to the advancement of women, children, and individuals living with disabilities, the prize pays tribute to Vweta Chadwick, the founder whose pioneering spirit gave rise to the organization. Originally established as a support network for young girls with invisible disabilities, ProjectASHA became a registered NGO in Nigeria in 2014 under Vweta’s leadership. Her legacy endures through this prize, which continues to champion marginalized voices and promote creative expression across Africa and beyond.

Who Was Vweta Chadwick?

Vweta Chadwick (1988-2020) was a Nigerian visionary who dedicated her life to uplifting women, girls, people living with disability, and marginalized communities. Her accolades include being a Mandela Washington Fellow, a Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative Fellow, and an ambassador for World Pulse and Amnesty International. Vweta’s poetry was more than just art; it was a call to action, a celebration of womanhood, and a challenge to society to strive for equality and justice. Her legacy lives on through this prize, which amplifies the voices of women, fostering creative expression, and supporting causes aligned with her passion. More about her work can be explored at www.vweta.com.

Event Highlight

Day 1: Panel Session

The Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize #VCPP2024 commenced with an insightful panel session moderated by Joseph Waribugo. The discussion featured distinguished panelists BolaFunmi Adedayo, Anita Graham, and Rachel Voco Ncube, who explored significant issues affecting women and the obstacles to their collective advancement. The panel emphasized the need for both community-driven solutions and individual contributions to address these challenges effectively.

Day 2: Poetry Contest

The poetry competition commenced with finalists delivering evocative recitations of Vweta Chadwick’s poems, resonating deeply with this year’s theme. There was also an open mic for guests to perform their poetry.  The finalists then went ahead to perform their selected poems. Their performance was a vibrant display of emotion, eloquence, and spirited competition from the talented young women. 

This year, our panel of judges are a blend of talented poets and orators in Nigeria and in the USA with unique wealth of experience and insight to the competition, ensuring a thoughtful evaluation of each entry and contributing to a memorable event.

Meet our Esteemed Judges

Iquo Dianaabasi (@dianaspeak) – A returning judge for the 3rd time. She is an acclaimed poet and prose writer with her notable works which include "Symphony of Becoming," "Efo Riro," and "Coming Undone as Stitches Tighten,". Iquo is a graduate student at the University of Alabama

Shola Phebian Oguntoyinbo-Adekunle (@house.of.phoebe) – A prominent storyteller and performance poet, and the Creative Director at House of Phoebe. 

Ajibola Tolase (@jibo_jhybo) – An award-winning poet and essayist, Ajibola Tolase is currently an Olive B. O’Connor Fellow in Poetry at Colgate University. His chapbook "Koola Lobitos" and his work in prestigious literary journals highlight his expertise in poetry.

Announcing The Winners

After two hours of intense and inspiring competition, we proudly revealed the winners:

🏆 Voice of ASHA 2024: Anita G. Michael (@neeta_rare) for her moving poem, "My Mother's Brick House." (Prize ₦ 200,000)

🥈 1st Runner-Up: Uduak Archibong (@youdee_shine) (Prize ₦ 150,000)

🥉 2nd Runner-Up: Adama Lama Yusuf (@lamee.i) (Prize ₦ 100,000)

🎉 Junior Category Winner: Damilola Olujobi (Prize ₦ 70,000 partly sponsored by Kayode Alabi of Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative - KLCI

The event was further distinguished by the presence of past winners, whose continued support highlights the lasting impact of the prize.

As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we invite collaborators to support the future of the Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize. Opportunities for featuring our star poets on prominent stages, forming creative partnerships, and contributing through donations and grants are available. Your involvement helps us continue to elevate and nurture emerging poetic talent. For more details on collaboration, sponsorship, or donations, please reach out to us at