Samuel Kolawole, an Assistant Professor of English and African Studies at Penn State, has been awarded the esteemed Whiting Award for his novel, ‘The Road to the Salt Sea.’ This work offers a profound examination of the global immigration crisis, tracing the journey from Nigeria to Libya and ultimately to Italy. The award, which acknowledges the accomplishments of early-career writers, includes a monetary prize of $50,000, as reported by the Centre Daily Times.
In their announcement, the selection committee praised Kolawole’s ability to navigate various genres, stating: “Samuel Kọ́láwọlé dances back and forth across the borders of genre to craft a propulsive and humane thriller, populated by unforgettable characters whom he presents with unthinkable choices. In the hands of this wondrous storyteller, yearning and thwarted ambition raise predicament to the level of tragedy. His portrait of immigrants on the move through and toward the unknown melds gripping narrative with indelible testimony.”
Kolawole expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing his desire to address significant issues through his writing. “I feel so incredibly honoured to be awarded the 2025 Whiting Award in Fiction for The Road to the Salt Sea. I am glad this novel is finding its way out into the world. I wrote the book because I had always wanted to write about an issue important to me. I was particular about what I wanted to do with this novel, which the judges’ citation encapsulated so well,” he stated.
Established in 1985 by the Whiting Foundation, the Whiting Awards are among the most prestigious and substantial financial awards for emerging writers, as noted in a press release. “The prizes are designed to recognize excellence and promise in a spectrum of emerging talent, giving most winners the chance to devote themselves full-time to their own writing, or to take bold new risks in their work,” the release explains.
Courtney Hodell, the director of literary programs at Whiting, remarked on the remarkable diversity of the writers, highlighting that each has developed the necessary skills to shape their narratives.
According to Hodell, their work collectively reflects a finely tuned sensitivity to our historical narratives, both personal and communal, along with a fervent curiosity about the potential insights that a more profound comprehension of that history might reveal.
Kọ́láwọlé was born and raised in Ibadan, Nigeria. He has earned various residencies and fellowships and has previously been recognized as a finalist for several notable awards, including the Caine Prize for African Writing, the Graywolf Press African Fiction Prize, the International Book Award, and the UK’s First Novel Prize.
He graduated from the University of Ibadan and holds an MFA in writing and publishing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, as well as a Ph.D. in English and creative writing from Georgia State University