Renowned Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been named the first-ever recipient of the Felix Jud Prize for Defiant Thinking, a prestigious German literary honour that celebrates individuals who embody freedom of expression, intellectual resistance, and human rights through their work.
The award was formally presented at the 15th Harbourfront Literature Festival on September 20, 2025, at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany.
The selection jury included prominent figures such as Reinhold Beckmann, Robert Eberhardt, Jonathan Landgrebe, Jo Lendle, Joachim Lux, André Schmitz, Jette Steckel, and Nicola Verstl.
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The prize, established by Felix Jud Friends e.V., honours the legacy of Felix Jud, a German bookseller and political dissenter whose bookshop became a hub of resistance during the Nazi regime. Known for his fearless opposition—refusing to change his surname “Jud” (meaning “Jew” in German) despite persecution—Jud used literature and satire to challenge authoritarianism.
Adichie, celebrated globally for novels like Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and Purple Hibiscus, as well as influential TED Talks such as The Danger of a Single Story and We Should All Be Feminists, was praised by organisers as “a voice of fearless clarity.”
Beyond literature, her work has shaped global conversations on feminism, identity, and African narratives, while also inspiring musicians, fashion designers, and cultural thought leaders.
This recognition adds to her long list of accolades, including the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and multiple honorary doctorates.
The Hamburg honour, however, underscores her enduring role as a global thought leader whose writing and advocacy continue to challenge systems, provoke dialogue, and inspire change
Image Credit: The Guardian Nigeria News
