Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize 2025: Celebrating Voices, Creativity, and Empowerment

The countdown is on for the Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize (VCPP) 2025 – Season 4, Nigeria’s premier female poetry competition. Scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, at the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) House, 22 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, this year promises to be our most ambitious and inspiring season yet.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Since its inception in 2022, the Vweta Chadwick Poetry Prize has been at the forefront of female empowerment, education, and artistic expression. Over the past four years:

• 2,500 girls have participated across Nigeria.

• More than 600 young female poets have been discovered and celebrated.

• Young women aged 16–25, including persons with disabilities, have been empowered to use poetry, storytelling, and dance to express themselves, connect with communities, and transform their narratives.

  
  

Through its unique approach, VCPP has created a platform for girls and young women to write the stories of those the world forgot, ensuring every voice finds a stage. Today, VCPP is ranked among Nigeria’s top three female poetry prizes by Google and stands as the first poetry prize in the world with a Metaverse presence, offering a futuristic and immersive experience for participants and sponsors alike.

Special Guest of Honour

This year, VCPP is proud to welcome ’Dapo Oyewole is the Senior Special Assistant on International Cooperation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (SSAP-IC) and the Secretary General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) as our Special Guest of Honour. His presence underscores the prestige and impact of the event and highlights the value of poetry as a tool for diplomatic exchange, cultural expression, and youth empowerment in Nigeria and beyond.

Celebrating Innovation – The Metaverse Experience

VCPP continues to push the boundaries of literary experiences. For the first time, participants, sponsors, and audiences can immerse themselves in a digital Metaverse environment, exploring performances, poetry showcases, and interactive galleries — all from the comfort of their own homes. This innovation ensures global reach, accessibility, and engagement unlike any other poetry prize.

Join the Celebration – Road Walk and Ceremony

In addition to the main ceremony, ProjectASHA is organizing a Road Walk in Abuja to commemorate the International Day of the Girl, bringing communities together to celebrate the power of female voices.

Road Walk Details: 

• Date: Sunday, October 19th, 2025

• Time: 7:00 AM (Starting Point: Unity Fountain, Central Area, Abuja 🏁 End Point: NNMA House, Maitama, Abuja)

Why VCPP Matters

VCPP is more than a poetry prize. It is a movement for education, empowerment, and creative expression. Through this platform:

• Girls and young women gain confidence, leadership skills, and visibility.

• Communities celebrate creativity and inclusivity.

• Sponsors and partners can align with a youth-driven initiative that combines impact, creativity, advocacy, culture, and innovation.

  
  

Over the years, ProjectASHA has self-funded the initiative, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing talent and inspiring hope across Nigeria. Every season, VCPP reaffirms that poetry is not just words — it is power, transformation, and a gateway to opportunity.

How to Participate or Support

Whether you are a supporter, sponsor, or admirer of literary arts, there are multiple ways to engage with VCPP 2025:

• Attend the Ceremony: Witness talented young poets showcase their craft.

• Join the Metaverse Experience: Participate in a fully immersive digital environment.

• Support or Sponsor a girl: Partner with VCPP to empower young women and amplify their voices.

Reserve your spot today: Register here

Join us in celebrating the next generation of female leaders, artists, and poets. Be part of this historic season, witness brilliance, and stand with ProjectASHA in empowering young women through the power of poetry