Michael Afenfia &
The Legacy Of
Nigerian Literature
Nigeria has produced some of the finest Writers in world literature: Chinua Achebe,
Wole Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta, Ben Okri, Odia Ofeimun, Niyi Osundare, Cyprian
Ekwensi, J.P. Clark, Sefi Atta, Nnedi Okoroafor and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie are
some of the best we can boast of! The list can continue. The joy is that, the tempo of
writing in the country has been maintained, and one of the voices still keeping the
rhythm alive is Michael Afenfia. A Bayelsa-born Writer whose novel “The Mechanics
of Yenagoa” is set to be adapted into film. Afenfia is a Novelist, Social Commentator
and Biographer who got his law degree from Rivers State University of Science and
Technology. He also holds an MBA from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile Ife, Western Nigeria.
He served as Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), between 2014
and 2016, Bayelsa State Chapter. A respected public figure, who has been
promoting Nigerian literature through his annual literary contests. The writer of four
critically acclaimed novels: “When the Moon Caught Fire” (2010), “A Street Called
Lonely” (2011), “Don’t Die on Wednesday” (2014), “The Mechanics of Yenagoa”
(2020). He also has experiences in Real Estate, Banking, Construction and Public
Service.
Pearls Magazine’s Publisher (Dike Dyke Williams) interviewed him on Nigerian
Literature, his works, and other things. Below are his expression edited by Jamaican
Poet and Pearls’ Publication Editor (Christena Williams). Enjoy: