The award was announced on Saturday, October 31, during the 45th Annual International Convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), held in Abuja.

Loko received the ₦1 million prize from award-winning writer and ANA Vice-President, Obari Gomba. The award is sponsored by United Nigeria Airlines as part of its support for the promotion of Nigerian literature.

His novel defeated two other shortlisted works: No Place Like Home by Henry Akubuiro and Chikoba by Onyedikachi Uzozie Nmezi.

Published in July 2026 by Lagos-based GrandTouch Press, The Bako of Zereshé is a 170,000-word fantasy novel that blends Nigerian history, cultural traditions and mythology with magic, adventure and political intrigue.

The story centres on Jeremy Fletcher, a young British journalist sent to Nigeria to report on the insurgency in the North-East. His assignment takes an unexpected turn following an accident that leads him to Zereshé, a fictional hidden 37th state of Nigeria where magic forms part of everyday existence.

What initially begins as a journalistic assignment soon develops into an adventure involving extraordinary discoveries and a wider battle between good and evil.

The recognition represents an important achievement in Loko's writing career. His earlier publication, The Day the Sun Vanished, a collection of 15 short stories, was independently published in November 2023.

Born in Nigeria and currently based in Ireland, Loko has previously spoken about how his childhood experiences shaped his interest in storytelling. Growing up, he was surrounded by Nigerian stories, cultural traditions and a sizeable home library provided by his parents.

These early influences have continued to shape his creative direction, particularly his interest in exploring Nigerian identities, cultural heritage and imaginative storytelling.

His latest achievement also highlights the growing space for fantasy fiction within Nigerian literature, demonstrating how the country's history, traditions and cultural experiences can provide inspiration for stories beyond conventional literary genres.

With The Bako of Zereshé, Loko joins the growing number of contemporary Nigerian writers gaining recognition for exploring fresh approaches to storytelling while drawing from the country's rich cultural identity.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia