Nigerian man wins $50,000 poetry prize for Wallace Stegner Fellowship

Nigerian poet, Adedayo Agarau, has won the popular poetry prize for Wallace Stegner Fellowship, at Stanford University, United States.

He made this announcement via his Twitter account, where he said that he never imagined such an achievement.

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In his words:

“I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been awarded the prestigious Wallace Stegner Fellowship @Stanford. I never imagined the boy from Federal Polytechnic, Ede, would head to @IowaWritersWksp and now Stanford, but it’s happening and I’m grateful.”

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Adedayo also noted that he chose Stanford over other prestigious fellowships and that he was grateful for the goodness 2023 continues to bring.

The Wallace Stegner Fellowship is for a duration of two years and affords him a $50,000 living stipend during his stay at Stanford University. The fellowship selects 10 fellows annually. Agarau also was selected for the 2023 Artists-In-Residence of the Watermill Center in the United States.

In the residency program, Agarau was the only selected artist from Africa.

See his post below:

I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been awarded the prestigious Wallace Stegner Fellowship @Stanford. I never imagined the boy from Federal Polytechnic Ede would head to @IowaWritersWksp and now Stanford, but it’s happening & I’m grateful.

— Adejoke Olajire (@adedayo_agarau) March 17, 2023

See people’s comments below:

@ejidokun_moses1: “Proud of you May your greatness has no limit Knowledge, Skill and Character”@tosinraj: “So this is you????? Congratulations”@TaylorByas3: “AHHHH!!! Congratulations!!!!”@olabode_MBO: “Omo Ede to the world. Ede graduates are not light weight. Although I didn’t school there but they are brilliant dudes. I celebrate you scholar. Go and shine.”@mikaeaela: “So excited to see you continue to do amazing things!!! Congratulations!!!”@inkstirs: “Amazing! Wishing you continued success and opportunities, Adedayo!”@vanastasio: “Congratulations! And also, you must be very talented. These are prestigious accomplishments.”@sureboiy007: “Fedepe Eri the world , am so proud of you my brother. The knowledge Skill and Character have reflected positively. Congratulations Champ”