KEY POINTS

• Ibrahim Nureni becomes the first African to win the Maya Haiku Contest.

• Nureni’s poem stood out among 464 submissions in the English category.

• His achievement is an inspiration to African poets and highlights African literature.

Nigerian poet Ibrahim Nureni has made history by becoming the first African to win the prestigious Maya International Haiku Contest.

Nureni earned second place in the English-language category of the 2025 edition of the contest, which received 643 entries from 40 countries. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for Nigerian and African poetry on the global stage.

The announcement was made public by the President of the Creative Writers’ Club, Oluwadamilola Amuda, in a statement to The PUNCH on Wednesday.

The Maya International Haiku contest and Nureni’s winning poem

The Maya Lyubenova International Haiku Contest is one of the world’s most respected competitions in the literary world. The contest features two main categories: one for English-language poems and another for Bulgarian-language poems.

This year, the English-language section alone received 464 submissions, which were judged by a panel of renowned literary figures. Nureni’s poem, titled “Silent Battlefield, The gecko’s quick tongue, Catches a fly,” stood out among the entries for its vivid imagery and profound depth.

The simplicity and directness typical of haiku are evident in Nureni’s work, which captures a moment of nature with striking clarity.

Nureni’s journey and his message to African poets

According to Punch, Nureni expressed that his achievement felt “surreal” and reflected on his five years of dedication to poetry.

“I’ve been writing poetry for over five years, and haiku has always been my calling,” Nureni said. “The simplicity of haiku, yet its profound depth, is something I’ve always found fascinating. To see my work resonate with a global audience in this way is beyond anything I imagined,” he added.

He emphasised that his victory was not just a personal achievement but a symbol of broader potential for African poets. Nureni hopes his success will inspire others across Africa to pursue poetry and embrace the richness of African literary traditions.

“This isn’t just about me,” he said. “It’s about Africa and its poets. I hope my achievement will inspire others from Nigeria and across the continent to pursue poetry. Our voices matter, and the world is listening.