By Rauf Mujeeb 

Ahead of the Creative African Nexus (CANEX) Weekend 2026, the UI Professor alongside two other scholars has  announced a three-member jury for the 2026 CANEX Prize for Publishing.

This was disclosed in a press release by Afriximbank on Tuesday, August 25,2026.

According to a release, the literary event will take place from November 5 to 8 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Renowned Nigerian author and academic Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade,a Professor of English and Africana Studies at the University of Ibadan will chair the jury.

South African literary scholar Professor Polo Moji and Kenyan poet-broadcaster Khainga O’Okwemba will be joining him as part of the jury.

The three-member panel will review eligible entries to select the winning publisher.

​Speaking on his appointment, Professor Raji-Oyelade stated:

​”It is an honour to chair this distinguished jury and to experience the breadth and quality of publishing from Africa and its diaspora.”

“The CANEX Prize offers an important opportunity to recognise the work publishers do in bringing books and ideas to readers and strengthening our literary cultures. I look forward to our deliberations, and to celebrating the finalists and eventual winner at CANEX WKND in Lagos this November.”

​The 2026 edition introduces expanded eligibility, extending participation to publishers from Africa’s diaspora, specifically from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states.

According to the organizers, the jury will announce a long list of ten publishers in September, followed by a shortlist of five in October.

​The winning publishing outlet will receive $20,000, while each of the four remaining finalists will take home $2,000, culminating in an award ceremony during the showcase in Lagos.

Credit: Afreximbank