10 emerging Nigerian writers we are rooting for

The blogs and think pieces were not lying when they said we need young writers who will redefine the craft of Nigerian writing in their chosen genre and thoughtfully engage readers.

Here are some of the toughest, coolest, most badass young writers we have in Nigeria today. They are of course more than ten, and I am definitely open to additions.

These authors are on our radar now, we are rooting for them and will be watching them closely in the future.

1. Justin Irabor

Acclaimed as both a digital marketing genius and a badass illustrator, Justin Irabor has been able to create incredible narratives while also giving us some fascinating illustrations and comics. A runner-up for Etisalat Flash Fiction Prize, Irabor's debut graphic novel is coming out in 2017.

Check out his works on Twitter @TheVunderkind

2. Yinka Elujoba

Adored on social media for his art and literary criticism, Yinka Elujoba pictures, reviews and essays are highly revered for its simplicity and its unique exploration of ordinary themes. His works have been featured on Invisible Borders, Aerodrome, Saraba Magazine, World Literature Today, The Sole Adventurer etc.

Verify his awesomeness On Twitter and Instagram @Yinkaelujoba

3. Keside Francis-Anosike

Keside makes our sadness, yearning and mushiness legit.  He is one of the few who have re-defined the cutting edge of contemporary Nigerian writing, telling and retelling the regularity and specificity of love, grief, and nostalgia.

Read and stalk him on Instagram @Kecyfa

4. Edwin Okolo

Edwin Okolo is a good writer and he made this list just for the fact that he doesn't give a hoot about conventional writing standards. He writes reviews, essays, and prose with comedic brilliance. His criticism is brutal and fearless and wonderful, and incredibly important to the culture. Plus, he curses like a Tarantino script acted out by Joann The Scammer (I hope I made sense lol)

Peep his notorious gangster hair and writing on Twitter/Instagram @edgothboy

5. Oyin Oludipe

A contemporary literary genius every inch an heir to Wole Soyinka. Oludipe writings can be wilfully obscure to the casual reader, but his wordplay and aesthetic formalism often demonstrate just how beautiful poetry/long-form writing can be.

Oludipe is not just a promising young writer/poet, but an accomplished one. He has been Published on Brittle Paper, Praxis Magazine, Pulse, Luxembourg Review etc.

Give him a thumbs up on his Instagram @Oyinstein

6. Stephanie Ohumu

Ohumu pushes the boundaries of fiction and non-fiction writing.

Ohumu astounds us in every way. She is laidback and does not give 2 cents about your morals/feelings. She takes on the most harrowing and very hilarious subjects of our Nigerian life.

Her voice, whether telling us that deadlines are shitty, or shutting down misogynists, is universal. It shows us in ever deeper ways what it is to be a young (jobless) woman in Nigeria.

She doesn't tweet much but her medium is gold @SI_Ohumu

7. Edwin Madu

Edwin Madu is a poet, writer, musician, essayist and trouble maker.

With wit and a serious sense of humor, Madu's work resonates with a generation of young people because he speaks our mind and brings a lightness to really serious themes.

He makes good and silly analogies on Twitter @DwinTheStoic

8. Shittu Fowora

With an intense, no-nonsense delivery, Fowora doesn’t cover the themes typically beloved by contemporary poets, he spits real stuff.

Not keen on impressing anyone, there’s no doubt that he is, for many, the quintessential badass poet. Fiercely intelligent and uncompromising.

His works have appeared in Expound Magazine, Sentinel Quarterly Review, Monkeystarpress, Thewritemag, Helen Literary Magazine, DANSE MACABRE and WritersCafe.org

He doesn't use Instagram much, but still follow him @ShittuFowora

9. Ayotola Tehingbola

Tehingbola doesn’t mince words. Her stories, poems, and essays take on a somber quality. She mixes a slow, measured pace with an overspill of words that seemingly can’t be held back.

Also, she has a collection of short stories called Gourmet Flies. We’re not quite sure what it says, but we know we like it.

10. Timehin Adegbeye

Timehin's frank essays/stories is both touching and educational. She intersperses her writings sometimes with humour and sassy outbursts.

We adore her and she tweets @OhTimehin

You can complement this list with Teju Cole advice to young writers, Chinua Achebe on Writing and Wole Soyinka rare conversation on writing and literature to feed your soul

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