Nigerian-American Author Tope Folarin Wins Caine Prize for ‘Miracle’

Nigerian writer Tope Folarin has scooped the Caine Prize for African Writing for his "utterly compelling" short story Miracle, set among Nigerian expatriates living in the US.

"I'm elated. I'm a writer situated in the Nigerian disapora, and the Caine prize means a lot – it feels like I'm connected to a long tradition of African writers. The Caine prize is broadening its definition and scope. I consider myself Nigerian and American, both identities are integral to who I am. To win … feels like a seal of approval," Folarin said.

Folarin is the first writer based outside Africa to win the £10,000 prize; he was born and raised in the US, spent a year in Nigeria and six months in Cape Town, but has mostly lived in the UK and US, and is now based in Washington DC.

Chair of the judges Gus Casely-Hayford praised the story, saying: "Tope Folarin's 'Miracle' is another superb Caine prize winner – a delightful and beautifully-paced narrative, that is exquisitely observed and utterly compelling."

Miracle is set in Texas in an evangelical Nigerian church where the congregation has gathered to witness the healing powers of a blind pastor-prophet. "The story is situated in the Nigerian diaspora, and that heightens what is going on for the people in the church. It begins with 'we' and then moves to the 'I' – the narrator bears the burden of the diaspora on his shoulders," Folarin said.

Four other Nigerians and one Sierra Leonean were also shortlisted for the prize. From Nigeria, Abubaka Adam Ibrahim was nominated for The Whispering Trees, in which Salim wakes up after an accident to find that he has lost his sight; Chinelo Okparanta for America, whose narrator is en route to collect a US visa in Lagos; and Elnathan John for Bayan Layi, a story about two street children who sleep under a Kuku tree and how they become embroiled in electoral violence. Pede Hollist, from Sierra Leone, was shortlisted for Foreign Aid, about returning to Sierra Leone after 20 years in the US.

Folarin is the recipient of writing fellowships from the Institute for Policy Studies and the journal Callaloo, and he serves on the board of the Hurston/Wright Foundation.

The Caine prize for African writing, now in its 14th year, was created in memory of Sir Michael Caine, former chairman of Booker plc and chairman of the Booker prize management committee for 25 years. The Caine prize itself is sometimes described as the African Booker. Previous winners include Helon Habila, EC Osondu and NoViolet Bulawayo.