The 2024 British Book Awards, also known as “the Nibbies,” has announced its shortlist, and it includes Nigerian-British writer Yomi Adegoke and Senegalese-Irish author Leon Diop. The Nibbies, often referred to as the book industry’s BAFTAs, have been recognizing the best in the book business since 1990. The awards celebrate authors and illustrators who have touched readers’ hearts and minds, as well as the industry professionals who have brought their works to the public.
Yomi Adegoke’s work, “The List,” has been nominated for Book of The Year in the Audiobook Fiction and Debut Fiction categories. Adegoke, a celebrated Nigerian journalist and author, has previously co-authored “The Offline Diaries” (2022), “Loud Black Girls” (2020), and “Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible” (2018). In 2021, she was recognized as one of Forbes 30 under 30 and has received the Groucho Maverick award and a Marie Clare Future Shaper award.
Leon Diop, a Senegalese-Irish writer hailing from Dublin, Ireland, has his book “Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes” nominated for Book of the Year in the Children’s Nonfiction category. Diop, a Psychology graduate from Maynooth University, served as the Students’ Union President for two years. He is the founder of Black and Irish, an initiative aimed at making Ireland a global exemplar in equality and inclusion. He also hosts the Black and Irish podcast with the Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ.
The shortlist also features other notable writers such as Prince Harry, Alice Oseman, Colleen Hoover, Steven Bartlett, and Rebecca Yarros. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on May 13, 2024.
