Tolu Akinyemi

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Tolu Akinyemi
Born
Toluwalope Akinyemi

Akure, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Other namesPoetolu
Alma materUniversity of Greenwich, London, Federal University of Technology Akure
Occupation(s)Writer, poet
Notable workHer Head Was A Spider's Nest (2021), Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted (2017), I Laugh at These Skinny Girls (2015), Your Father Walks Like A Crab (2013)
Websitepoetolu.com
Akinyemi (Poetolu) in 2017 at a book reading event in Lagos, organised by GTB Bank Nigeria

Tolu Akinyemi, also referred to as Poetolu, is a Nigerian writer and poet.[1][2] His work is notable for its relatable insights and humorous take on everyday human experiences.[1][3][4][5][6]

Biography and education

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Tolu Akinyemi was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.[7] His parents worked in the state government's civil service.[8][9] He attended in the same city, Oyemekun Grammar School, where he was an assistant senior prefect. He then studied Architecture and Design at the Federal University of Technology Akure, earning a Bachelor of Technology degree in Architecture in 2008.[2][7] In 2011, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Built Environment Studies from the University of Greenwich.[7][8] He currently lives in London, England.

Writing

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Akinyemi is the author of four collections of poetry. His first collection Your Father Walks Like A Crab, published in 2013, was described by Lola Shoneyin as "a witty debut".[10] In 2017 and 2018, Akinyemi was named one of "100 most influential Nigerian writers under 40".[11][12][13][14] In 2017, he won the Nigerian Writers' Award (Poetry writer of the year) for his poetry collection I Laugh at These Skinny Girls.[15][16] His works have been featured in advertisements, documentaries, and in cultural and literary publications such as the Association of Nigerian Authors anthologies,[13][17] Forward Poetry's Great British Write-off Anthology, and Black History Month magazine.[13] In 2017, he obtained the Arts Council England's "exceptional talent endorsement" as a creative writer.[1][2][18][19] This was a part of the British Home Office's "exceptional talent visa" programme to attract to the United Kingdom, exceptionally talented individuals in fields such as the arts and sciences.[20]

Akinyemi's writing has also been described as "poetry for people who hate poetry".[21][22]

Other works

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In 2016, Akinyemi started writing the online Halima Series, an illustrated and humorous social commentary on popular culture and everyday experiences from the point of view of the fictional character called Halima.[23] In 2022, Akinyemi appeared in a cameo role as "Shawn", on the Africa Magic show My Flatmates (Episode 133).

Bibliography

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  • Her Head Was A Spider's Nest, 2021, ISBN 978-9785483475[24]
  • Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted. Heart of Words UK, 2017, ISBN 978-9785359763[17]
  • I Laugh at These Skinny Girls. Heart of Words UK, 2015, ISBN 978-9785359718[25]
  • Your Father Walks Like A Crab. Strange Ideas UK, 2013, ISBN 978-9789329199[26][9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Editorial Team (18 September 2016). "Tolu Akinyemi's 'poetry for people who hate poetry'". Black History Month. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Tolu Akinyemi; breaking stereotypes and changing perspectives through poetry". The Social African. 4 May 2018. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  3. ^ Ekwerenmadu, Uchenna. "In Defence of Simplicity: Review of Tolu Akinyemi's 'I Laugh At These Skinny Girls'". Daily Trust. Retrieved 15 January 2019.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Oyindamola, Shoola (September 2016). "My Thoughts on Akinyemi's ' I Laugh at These Skinny Girls'- A Review". WRR Publishers. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  5. ^ Vershima Agema, Su' eddie (24 June 2016). "I Laugh at These Skinny Lines Or Not". This Day Newspaper, Page 33.
  6. ^ Jide, Osuntokun (17 March 2016). "Tolu Akinyemi: A new literary discovery". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  7. ^ a b c Ogunade, Todimu (9 December 2017). "Even after I am dead and gone, I can still exist through my books – Poetolu". Sunshine Herald. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Meet Tolu Akinyemi; A UK-Based Nigerian Storyteller". Tush Magazine. 7 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  9. ^ a b "In The Mind of a Poet: We Talk To Tolu Akinyemi". Ours Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  10. ^ Quadri, Zainab (18 April 2016). "10 Nigerian contemporary poetry books you should read right now". Pulse NG. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. ^ "100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40. (2018 LIST)". NIGERIAN WRITERS AWARDS. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  12. ^ "100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40. (2017 LIST)". Nigerian Writers Awards. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  13. ^ a b c Udeze, Edozie (21 July 2018). "Young Nigerian writers shaping the world". The Nation. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  14. ^ "The NWA Lists Their 100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40". Brittle Paper. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  15. ^ Shola, Oyindamola. "A Conversation With Tolu Akinyemi (AKA Poetolu)". Sprinng Literary Movement. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Winners of 2017 Nigerian Writers' Awards". Nigerian Writers' Awards. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Tolu Akinyemi". Amazon Author Central. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  18. ^ "Nigerian Writers Database- Tolu Akinyemi". Nigerian Writers Database. 6 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Tolu' Akinyemi". Goodread. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Home Secretary on 'Exceptional Talent' visa offer - Home Office in the media". Home Office Media Blog. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  21. ^ "The Poet Who Writes for People Who Hate Poetry". The Lagos Review. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  22. ^ Ojelabi, 'Joba. "Tolu Akinyemi's 'poetry for people who hate poetry". Black History Month 2023.
  23. ^ "12 Illustrations By @Poetolu You Will Immediately Relate To". Zikoko. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  24. ^ "Tolu Akinyemi". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Explore The British Library". British Library. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  26. ^ Akinyemi, Tolu' (17 May 2013). Your Father Walks Like A Crab; Poetry For People Who Hate Poetry. ISBN 9789789329199. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
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