Tolu Akinyemi

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.[3][1][4][5][6]

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
Tolu Akinyemi (Poetolu) in 2017 at a book reading event in Lagos, organised by GTB Bank Nigeria.

Biography and education

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 first an assistant senior prefect and later became the 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

Tolu 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, he 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,[17][13] Forward Poetry's Great British Write-off Anthology, and Black History Month magazine.[13][1] In 2017 he obtained the Arts Council England's, "exceptional talent endorsement" as a creative writer.[18][2][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

In 2016 he 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,Tolu appears in a cameo role as 'Shawn', on the Africa Magic show 'My Flatmates' (Episode 133).

Bibliography
  • 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
  1. Thomas, Ian. "Tolu Akinyemi's 'poetry for people who hate poetry'". Black History Month. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  2. "Tolu Akinyemi; breaking stereotypes and changing perspectives through poetry". The Social African. 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.
  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. Ogunade, Todimu (9 December 2017). "Even after I am dead and gone, I can still exist through my books – Poetolu". Sunshine Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  8. "Meet Tolu Akinyemi; A UK-Based Nigerian Storyteller". Tush Magazine. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  9. "In The Mind of a Poet: We Talk To Tolu Akinyemi". Ours Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  10. Quadri, Zainab (18 April 2016). "10 Nigerian contemporary poetry books you should read right now". Pulse NG. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  11. "100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40. (2018 LIST)". NIGERIAN WRITERS AWARDS. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  12. "100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40. (2017 LIST)". Nigerian Writers Awards. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  13. 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. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  17. "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. "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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