Interviews Archives

‘Romance Is Good for the Soul’ Yejide Kilanko’s First Draft

Yejide KilankoAugust 25, 2023

Nigerian novelist and author of Daughters Who Walk This Path, Yejide Kilanko, wants to write more children’s books in the future: ‘I have had the privilege of publishing two children’s picture books. I want to write more children’s books that feature diverse characters. Every child should be able to see themselves represented in accessible books.’

August/September 2023First DraftInterviewsNigeria

‘My Writing Is Rarely Inspired by Societal Happenings’ Ekemini Pius’ First Draft

Ekemini PiusAugust 18, 2023

Editor and author of Caine Prize shortlisted story ‘Daughters, By Our Hands’ Ekemini Pius, believes rather than the subject, how a story is written makes a text powerful.

August/September 2023Best of 2023: First DraftFirst DraftInterviewsNigeria

‘My Practice and Method of Writing Are Obsessive’ Ernest Nweke’s First Draft

Ernest NwekeJuly 28, 2023

Author of ‘Nigeria vs the South East: The Glaring Igbophobia of the 2023 Elections’ Ernest Nweke, believes the anti-Igbo bigotry of the last election season was an experience many Igbos are familiar with despite denial and gaslighting from the rest of Nigeria.

First DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023Nigeria

‘A Great Story Makes Readers Genuinely Feel Seen’ Ẹlọ́hór Ẹ́gbọ́rdí’s First Draft

Ẹ́lọ́hór Ẹ́gbọ́rdíJuly 21, 2023

Editor, Ẹ́lọ́hór Ẹ́gbọ́rdí, believes the biggest misconception about African storytelling is that it is inferior to non-African storytelling.

First DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023Nigeria

‘Everyone Can Tell a Story’ Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s First Draft

Adaobi Tricia NwaubaniJuly 14, 2023

Nigerian novelist and author of I Do Not Come to You by Chance, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, decided to write her first novel before knowing what to write about.

First DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023Nigeria

‘It’s Essential That We Tell Our Own Stories’ Kome Otobo’s First Draft

Kome OtoboJuly 7, 2023

Nigerian editor and author of Nigerian Gods, Kome Otobo, wants Nigerians to take pride in their traditional belief systems.

Best of 2023: First DraftFirst DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023Nigeria

‘I Am Too Crushed by the War That Started in Sudan to Embark on a New Novel’ Leila Aboulela’s First Draft

Leila AboulelaJune 23, 2023

Award-winning writer and Sudanese novelist, Leila Aboulela, discovered Akuany, the protagonist of her most recent novel, River Spirit, on a bill of sale in the Sudan Archives at Durham University.

First DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023Sudanvol7-no3

‘I Tend to Write Wildly and Freely’ Yewande Omotoso’s First Draft

Yewande OmotosoJune 16, 2023

Nigerian author, Yewande Omotoso’s most recent novel, An Unusual Grief, was inspired by her experience of loss.

First DraftInterviewsJune/July 2023

‘Being an Editor Is a Magical Work’ Chimeka Garricks’ First Draft

Chimeka GarricksMay 26, 2023

Nigerian author and editor, Chimeka Garricks, didn’t intend for the Niger-Delta crisis to be the main theme of his debut novel, Tomorrow Died Yesterday. ‘I tried to write the truth as I know it. To show that the issues are complex, hued with plenty of grey, and that all major players are complicit in varying ways to the dysfunction,’ he told us in our latest, First Draft interview.

April/May 2023First DraftInterviewsNigeria

To Be or Not to Be Surreal? Abba T. Makama’s Biggest Question Yet

Hillary EssienMay 22, 2023

‘We chose the term “surreal” not because we were surrealist filmmakers,’ Abba T. Makama says of his collective, Surreal16. ‘We felt surrealism was another word for dreaming. When you’re dreaming, the ego is asleep and you’re running on the unconscious. You’re free. It’s about freedom of creativity.’

April/May 2023InterviewsNigeriavol7-no2