African writers, this is your last chance to apply for the Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers’ Residency Grant 2025—a bold, game-changing opportunity hosted by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). Designed to uplift African literary voices, this fully-funded residency celebrates the enduring legacy of Nigerian icon, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a courageous environmentalist, poet, and novelist whose life and literary contribution remain globally revered.
Held at the breathtaking Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village in Mpape Hills, Abuja, this grant program runs from August 30 to October 11, 2025, offering a four-week intensive creative experience, with an optional two-week extension. It is completely free of charge for accepted applicants and includes a weekly stipend of ₦15,000, totaling ₦60,000, as well as a travel grant of ₦100,000 for Nigerian residents and ₦200,000 for international African participants.
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Residents will live, write, collaborate, and engage in cultural and literary mentorship activities within a serene, fully equipped campus that allows deep focus and creative exploration. This must-see, exclusive literary residency offers writers an inspiring atmosphere to complete their manuscripts, expand their voice, and connect with like-minded creatives.
Whether you’re crafting fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literary criticism, this grant program gives you the space, time, and resources to take your work to the next level.
This is not just a writing residency—it’s a celebration of African literature, a chance to deepen your creative process, and an opportunity to join a community of dedicated, talented, and fearless storytellers. Named after Ken Saro-Wiwa, whose advocacy, literature, and martyrdom inspired generations, this residency reflects a deep commitment to nurturing voices that challenge, illuminate, and transform.
What makes this grant program different is its holistic structure: you’ll not only be writing, but also connecting, learning, and mentoring. It’s transformational in every sense—combining solitude with collaboration, funding with freedom, and literary growth with cultural exchange.
Set in a tranquil, scenic environment that fosters clarity and inspiration, the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village provides writers with personal studios, reading spaces, internet access, and accommodation—all aimed at removing distractions and elevating productivity. Past residents have described it as “life-changing”, “essential for creative breakthroughs”, and “the perfect place to complete long-pending manuscripts.”
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ANA’s goal with this residency is to equip writers with the tools and environment to produce works that speak to African realities, challenge oppression, and celebrate diversity. Whether you’re a poet addressing the pains of displacement, a novelist building fictional worlds rooted in African traditions, or a critic dismantling colonial legacies—this is your stage.
Name of Organizer
Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)
Requirement/Eligibility
1. Applicants must be African-based writers, engaged in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Literary Criticism.
2. Applicants must have at least one published work in a reputable print or digital medium.
3. All applicants must submit a sample of the work they intend to develop during the residency:
- Fiction/Nonfiction/Criticism: 500–750 words
- Poetry: 5 poems
4. A 500-word Statement of Purpose is required, outlining the writer’s motivation, vision for the residency, and creative goals.
5. Submission of a one-page writing résumé or portfolio showing previous publications, awards, or achievements.
6. Proof of nationality and residency in Africa is mandatory.
7. Two referral letters must be submitted:
For Nigerian applicants: one must be from the Chairperson of the applicant’s local ANA State Chapter.
For non-Nigerian African applicants: one must come from the Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA).
The second referee (for all applicants) should be a known and respected Nigerian writer, academic, or literary promoter.
8. Applicants must be available to participate for four weeks, with the option of a two-week personal extension (unfunded).
9. Participants must engage in community-building activities, including mentorship of young writers and literary events during their stay.
10. Applications should be sent as a single PDF titled Surname_FirstName_Genre to anaksarowiwaintlresidency@gmail.com by the July 12 deadline.
Grant Amount
Each selected writer will receive a ₦15,000 stipend per week, amounting to ₦60,000 for the full 4-week residency.
In addition, travel grants are provided to support movement to and from Abuja:
₦100,000 for writers residing in Nigeria
₦200,000 for writers residing outside Nigeria within the African continent.
This funding is designed to make the residency accessible to writers regardless of economic background, allowing full creative immersion with no financial burden.
Deadline
12 July 2025
Apply Now
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