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Book Review

·May 3, 2026·2 min read

New Voices from the North in “Someone Should Hold Farida” edited by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim – Akumbu Uche

While a few of the stories either rely too heavily on melodrama for momentum, or race towards tidy, but highly improbable resolutions, the inherent talent of their authors cannot be denied and these missteps can be chalked up to the eagerness of inexperience, after all, this is the first literary outing for many of them.

Book Review

·April 26, 2026·6 min read

Saving a relationship through a divorce – Olukorede S Yishau

On the surface, the book appears to be Abdullahi's story, but in telling his story, it becomes other people’s stories as well. “Nobody’s story has been as intricately connected with mine in the 20 years that this book covers as Senator Bukola Saraki’s… For most of the journey, I walked under his shadow… Therefore, readers will find that, to a large extent, this book is his story as well,” Abdullahi writes. But in a lot of ways, the book is more Saraki’s story than the memoirist claims.

Book Review

·April 12, 2026·3 min read

Heinneken University is a satirical lament for Nigerian education – Sima Essien

eading Heinneken University, one quickly realizes that plot is not quite the novel’s primary engine. Instead, the narrative is sustained by the actions, thoughts, and voices of a wide array of characters who feel strikingly real and far from exaggerated which is a triumph in satire.

Book Review

·March 29, 2026·4 min read

The colour of grief in Angel Patricks Amegbe’s ‘No Pink In A Rainbow’ – Kehinde Folorunsho

There is no denying the fact that childlessness is perhaps the most devastating predicament for the African woman. This is...

Book Review

·March 22, 2026·5 min read

When poetry screams at power and displacement – Olukorede S Yishau

Akinremi reminds us of the great poet Gabriel Okara, of ‘The Call of River Nun’ fame, with his poem ‘The Call of River Congo’. In this piece, his concern is plastic pollution and neglect. We see how bottles, cans and paper scraps have taken over the great body of water. It is a blow delivered on the authorities who neglected their responsibilities to this natural resource and watch with reckless abandon as it becomes a dumping ground.

Book Review

·March 15, 2026·2 min read

A Triumph of Resilience: A review of ‘In Our Own Ways’ by Yejide Kilanko — Akumbu Uche

The desire to have children is a complex mix of biological urges, emotional drivers and cultural attitudes. In Nigeria where...

Book Review

·May 3, 2026·4 min read

Between Agency and External Pressure: A Review of Jude Dibia’s The Quiet That Remains- Olukorede S Yishau

The motif of silence runs through the novel, shaping its emotional landscape and deepening its tensions. Characters retreat into silence as a shield against pain. In this novel, silence becomes a language of its own. It speaks in pauses, in averted gazes, in unfinished sentences. Relationships are defined as much by what is withheld as by what is expressed, and the gaps in communication often widen into emotional chasms.

Book Review

·April 19, 2026·2 min read

The Inner Lives of Men: A review of ‘Where Women Meet Boys’ by Patrick Shyaka – Akumbu Uche

Interestingly, the strongest story in the collection - the titular Where Women Meet Boys - is one of two narratives written from the female perspective and showcases Shyaka’s skill with handling multiple perspectives. At its heart, it is about the domino effects of a man disappointing his family and so, still falls in line with the book’s overarching theme.

Book Review

·March 29, 2026·3 min read

Mothers who walk difficult paths: A review of Chika Unigwe’s ‘Grace’ – Olukorede S Yishau

Decorated novelist Chika Unigwe’s latest novel, Grace, raises several questions: Is survival ever morally neutral? When circumstances corner a young...

Book Review

·March 29, 2026·3 min read

Rekindled emotions and present realities in Ayo Deforge’s ‘Under The Rain’ – Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera

In Ayo Deforge’s works, there is always an attempt to stab at the deeper intricacies of the human tendencies. Her...

Book Review Uncategorized

·March 22, 2026·3 min read

A life scarred and marred by family trauma – Peju Akande

The title might hint at a story about a father’s wrongdoing, but the real sins in this book belong overwhelmingly to the mother. Still, through psychoanalysis, David uncovers yet another layer of abuse, this time from another close family member. Is Sins of the Father worth reading despite its dark, unsettling themes?

Book Review

·March 8, 2026·2 min read

A Celebration of African Hair: A Review of Hairstory by Sope Martins – Akumbu Uche

In a climate where social media constantly serves up a glut of unattainable beauty standards, a book like Hairstory offers a refreshing antidote to such messaging and should be valued. This quality has earned it favourable comparisons to Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o

Shaitan: Telekinesis and Arodan Review – Michael Kolawole

On “Auracle”, Shallipopi is an Oracle with a cool aura – Michael Kolawole

Tems’ Love Is A Kingdom: A Gentle Reign of Love and Doubt – Michael Kolawole

New Voices from the North in “Someone Should Hold Farida” edited by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim – Akumbu Uche

Between Agency and External Pressure: A Review of Jude Dibia’s The Quiet That Remains- Olukorede S Yishau

Saving a relationship through a divorce – Olukorede S Yishau

A review of Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” – Michael Kolawole

Blues for “Aba Blues” – Michael Kolawole

The Archetype of Motherhood as Martyrdom: Appraising Nollywood’s Representation of Motherhood – Joseph Jonathan

Unpacking “Once Upon an Elephant”: A Stage Experience by Peaklane Drama Troupe – Peju Akande

“Dear Kaffy” is a riot of laughter and a river of tears – Peju Akande

LAMDA’s production of James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner” interrogates Christian charity – Toni Kan

Pius Adesanmi (1972–2019): Seven years on…An in memoriam and a meditation on an unfinished life – Sola Adeyemi

Pius Adesanmi – 7 years on, we remember!

Biodun Jeyifo… A Man of Letters departs — Sola Adeyemi

Our Best Essays and Reviews of 2025

To write about love is to write about vulnerability and sacrifice – Rosemary Okafor

Elsie Is Bringing Music Conversations to Our Doorsteps From Lagos to Toronto to the World – Onyema Dike

Adrien Brody’s “Red Chip” revolution beyond the box office

Yemisi Shyllon Museum hosts NATOP in bid to anchor Ibeju-Lekki as cultural tourism hub

S.I. Newhouse art collection expected to exceed $1b at Christie’s auction

98 entries submitted for inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts

Book Review

New Voices from the North in “Someone Should Hold Farida” edited by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim – Akumbu Uche

Saving a relationship through a divorce – Olukorede S Yishau

Heinneken University is a satirical lament for Nigerian education – Sima Essien

The colour of grief in Angel Patricks Amegbe’s ‘No Pink In A Rainbow’ – Kehinde Folorunsho

When poetry screams at power and displacement – Olukorede S Yishau

A Triumph of Resilience: A review of ‘In Our Own Ways’ by Yejide Kilanko — Akumbu Uche

Between Agency and External Pressure: A Review of Jude Dibia’s The Quiet That Remains- Olukorede S Yishau

The Inner Lives of Men: A review of ‘Where Women Meet Boys’ by Patrick Shyaka – Akumbu Uche

Mothers who walk difficult paths: A review of Chika Unigwe’s ‘Grace’ – Olukorede S Yishau

Rekindled emotions and present realities in Ayo Deforge’s ‘Under The Rain’ – Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera

A life scarred and marred by family trauma – Peju Akande

A Celebration of African Hair: A Review of Hairstory by Sope Martins – Akumbu Uche

Deep Purple announce new album ‘SPLAT!’ & 86-date world tour

Linda Ejiofor & Uzor Arukwe secure top honours at 12th AMVCAs

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