LONDON, UK — Poet and writer Taiwo Michael Oloyede has been longlisted for the 2025 Creative Future Writers’ Award, a UK-based prize celebrating underrepresented writers across poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction.
In a notification issued by the Award’s Deputy Director, Matt Freidson of Creative Future, Oloyede’s submission was selected from over 1,600 entries received for this year’s competition. While the organisation does not publicly release its longlist due to the volume of submissions, the selection places Oloyede among a significant cohort of writers recognised for the quality of their work.
Freidson noted that the decision reflected the strength of the entry pool, describing the overall standard as “extremely high,” and expressed admiration for Oloyede’s poem. Although no individual feedback was provided due to the competitive nature of the selection process, the acknowledgment affirms the poem’s distinction within a highly competitive field.
The Creative Future Writers’ Award is known for championing writers facing barriers in the literary industry, offering national visibility and opportunities for emerging and underrepresented voices.
In his message to Oloyede, Freidson encouraged continued submission to future editions of the prize, noting that many entrants go on to achieve success in subsequent years.
Oloyede, whose work continues to explore themes of embodiment, social tension, and lyrical observation, joins a growing list of poets gaining recognition within UK literary circles.
The 2025 longlisting marks a notable milestone in his ongoing literary practice.
