Benue Book and Arts Festival

The Arewa Poetry Review (APR) dedicated to preserving and amplifying the rich poetic voices of Northern Nigeria is calling on Northern Nigerian Poets to submit poems that tell the northern story in all its complexity – its cultures, spiritualities, landscapes, heritages, and the intricate emotions that weave them together.

“We want work that speaks to what it means to be from the north, work that preserves the old while engaging with the new, work that dares to question and imagines possibilities. to see Poetry, as a vessel of history and human emotion, carries the power to document, challenge, and reshape society. In a time when the north contends with socio-cultural shifts, conflict, political and economic instability, we believe poetry can serve as both a mirror and a map — reflecting truth and guiding us toward a more hopeful future.” Iliya Kambai Dennis, spokesperson for Arewa Poetry Team.

If you are a northern poet with stories to tell, the Arewa Poetry Review will want to hear from you.

Eligibility

• Submissions are open to poets whose heritage is tied to Northern (Northwest, Northeast, and North Central) Nigeria.
• Both emerging and established poets are welcome to submit.

What We’re Looking For:

• Poems that explore northern history, culture, spirituality, conflict, heritage, politics, and identity.
• Experimental, free verse, and traditional forms are all encouraged.
• Previously unpublished poems only.

Submission Guidelines

• Submit 1–3 poems in a single Word document (.doc or .docx).
• Each poem should be no longer than 2 pages. Start each poem on a fresh page.
• Use a readable font (e.g., Garamond, Times New Roman, 12pt), single-spaced.
• Include a brief third-person bio (100 words max) at the end of your document.
• In your submission email, include your name, location, and ethnic/tribal heritage (this is to celebrate the diversity of the north, not to gatekeep).

Send your submissions to: arewapoetryreview@gmail.com

Subject line: Submission – [Your Name]

Timeline

• Submission period: 14th April – 14th June
• Reading period: June – July
• Acceptance/Rejection notices: By August

Selected works will be compiled into an annual anthology, to be published digitally. For inquiries, please contact: arewapoetryreview@gmail.com

Let’s preserve our stories. Let’s shape the future.