📝 Submission Guidelines

We recommend all entrants read these rules carefully before entering. If you have any questions, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

1. The ZODML Poetry Prize is open to currently enrolled students of a Nigerian public tertiary institution (undergraduate or postgraduate).
2. The theme of the contest is ‘Seeds of Tomorrow’ and all entries must be on this theme.
3. The deadline for submission of entries is midnight, 31 August 2025.
4. Entries must be a single poem per participant.
5. All entries must have a title and must not exceed 50 lines in length (excluding title); they must be in Times New Roman, 12 pt.
6. Entries may be in English or any Nigerian language. An entry that is not in English must be translated into English by the participant.
7. Entries must be the participant’s original work. AI-generated work is prohibited.
8. Entries must not have been published in any way or featured among the winners in another competition.
9. The top ten finalists will be notified by email and WhatsApp, so ensure that you have provided a valid email address and WhatsApp number. They will be expected to provide a biography and photograph.
10. The copyright of each poem remains with the author. However, authors of the top ten poems, by entering the contest, grant ZODML the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poem. Use of the poems elsewhere for one year from January 2026 is subject to permission from ZODML.
11. Entries submitted will not be returned, so please keep a copy.
12. Entries will receive automatic confirmation at the time of submission. Telephone or email confirmation of receipt is not available.
13. Submission Link: Submit your poem here.