A new collection of poetry by a Nigerian writer is creating a significant stir on the global literary stage, achieving a historic first and earning widespread critical praise. Gbenga Adesina's 'Death Does Not End At The Sea' has been longlisted for the prestigious 2025 National Book Award for Poetry, marking the first time a Nigerian poet has received this honour.
Historic Accolades and Critical Acclaim
The book's journey to international recognition began with winning the 2024 Raz-Shumaker Prairie Schooner Prize, a highly sought-after award in American letters. Following its release, the collection rapidly ascended to the number one position in the African poetry category on Amazon, surpassing a thousand sales in a remarkably short period. The work is also in the process of being translated into Italian, broadening its reach.
The acclaim for Adesina's work comes from some of the most respected voices in contemporary poetry. Terrance Hayes, a MacArthur Fellow and professor at New York University, praised the book as a "mature reworking of contemporary elegy," noting how Adesina transforms personal loss into odes celebrating vulnerability.
Stanford University's Professor Aracelis Girmay called the poems "sublime, lucid, unforgettable," while Matthew Shenoda of Brown University described the collection as "a requiem for kinship" and "a welcome song in our dawn." Further endorsement came from Chris Abani of Northwestern University, who hailed Adesina as "a major talent and an important voice" whose every line "quivers with a deft music."
A Poet's Distinguished Profile and Literary Impact
Gbenga Adesina is not a newcomer to literary excellence. His works have been featured in top-tier publications including the New York Times, Paris Review, and Yale Review, and translated into six languages. His academic and creative journey is supported by fellowships from esteemed institutions like the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, the Schomburg Center in Harlem, and Harvard University's Woodberry Poetry Room.
Adesina holds an MFA in poetry from New York University. His inclusion in the Best American Poetry 2025 anthology and the landmark collection 'A POSSIBLE FUTURE: An Anthology of the Best Nigerian Writing (1789-2018)' places him alongside literary giants such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What the Success Signifies for Nigerian Literature
The international waves made by 'Death Does Not End At The Sea' represent a significant moment for Nigerian and African literature on the world stage. Adesina's achievement demonstrates the global appetite for profound, expertly crafted stories from the continent. His success, characterized by both prestigious award recognition and strong commercial performance, paves the way for other Nigerian poets and writers, proving that their voices can resonate powerfully in the most competitive international arenas.
This moment is not just a personal victory for Gbenga Adesina but a collective milestone, highlighting the depth, innovation, and enduring relevance of Nigeria's literary tradition in the 21st century.
