1. Entrants must be at least 18 years old at the time of submission.
2. Entrants must be Nigerian citizens, and must submit proof of citizenship in the form of their international passport data page or their national identity card, along with their entry.
3. Entries must be original unpublished work not plagiarised or AI generated; poetry previously broadcast online is considered published
4. Each entry must not exceed fifty (50) lines, and a maximum of three poems is allowed per entrant.
5. Family members and close friends of the organisers and judges are not allowed to enter.
6. The decision of the judges is final and is not subject to appeal.
7. No entry will be permitted to be re-entered in any subsequent year, and no previous winner can re-enter for the prize.
8. The prize may be withheld if the judges deem that none of the entries meets the standard of excellence.
9. The Prize money is $500 (USD).
10. Any attempt by any entrant to communicate with the judges or organisers of the prize during the prize cycle will lead to immediate disqualification.
11. Only entrants longlisted and subsequently shortlisted for the prize will be contacted.
12. Entries must be submitted to joeushieliteraturefoundation@outlook.com by the deadline (see how to enter); no late entry will be considered.
13. The prize is organised and administered by the Joe Ushie Literature Foundation, and the consent of entrants may be sought by the Foundation for their poems to be used for promotional purposes.