A Nigerian journalist and writer, known for his insightful commentary on African politics and culture, and his contributions to international publications like The New York Times and Financial Times.
Tolu Ogunlesi is a multifaceted Nigerian journalist, poet, photographer, fiction writer, and blogger who has made a significant impact in the world of literature and journalism. He is perhaps best known for his role as a Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, a position he has held since 2016.
Ogunlesi was born on March 3, 1982, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Nigerian parents. He spent most of his life in Nigeria and attended the International School Ibadan. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, UK, which he earned in 2011.
As a creative writer, Ogunlesi has published several works, including a collection of poetry, "Listen to the Geckos Singing from a Balcony" (Bewire Books, 2004), and a novella, "Conquest & Conviviality" (Hodder Murray, 2008). His fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous publications, including The London Magazine, Wasafiri, Farafina, PEN Anthology of New Nigerian Writing, Litro, Brand, Orbis, Nano2ales, Stimulus Respond, Sable, Magma, Stanfords Black Arts Quarterly, and World Literature Today.
Ogunlesi has received several awards and honors for his work, including the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg poetry prize in 2006, the Nordic Africa Institute Guest Writer Fellowship in 2008, and the Cadbury Visiting Fellowship by the University of Birmingham in 2009. He has twice been a winner of the annual CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards, in 2009 and 2013, and was shortlisted for the inaugural PEN/Studzinski literary prize.
As a journalist, Ogunlesi has contributed to several publications, including Tell Magazine, The Guardian Lagos, Daily Independent Nigeria, New Age, Forbes Africa, The Guardian UK, Financial Times, HuffPost, Business Day Nigeria, and Premium Times. He was Arts Manager Nigeria for the British Council between 2011 and 2012, and has worked as a Features Editor and Editorial Board member of Next newspaper, and as a West Africa Editor for The Africa Report magazine from 2014 to 2016.
Tolu Ogunlesi's work has had a significant impact on Nigerian literature and journalism, inspiring a new generation of writers and journalists. His appointment as a Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria has also given him a platform to shape the country's digital and new media landscape. Through his writing and journalism, Ogunlesi continues to promote Nigerian culture and literature to a global audience.
Ogunlesi's work is characterized by his commitment to promoting Nigerian culture and literature, and his belief in the power of storytelling to shape society. Through his writing and journalism, he has advocated for greater awareness and understanding of African issues and perspectives.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Born in Edinburgh, Scotland |
| 2004 | Publishes first collection of poetry, "Listen to the Geckos Singing from a Balcony" |
| 2008 | Publishes novella, "Conquest & Conviviality" |
| 2011 | Earns Master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, UK |
| 2016 | Appointed Special Assistant on Digital and New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria |
Tolu Ogunlesi's multifaceted career and achievements have made him a respected figure in Nigerian literature and journalism. His commitment to promoting Nigerian culture and literature, and his advocacy for greater awareness and understanding of African issues and perspectives, have had a lasting impact on the literary and journalistic landscape of Nigeria and beyond.
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