“I appreciate the simple pleasures of life, as well as the grand challenges of literature. Above all, I have a motto which is: “Live, Love, Write” and I inspire as many as I can to do the same.”

In 2022, Anthony Onugba recorded a tremendous achievement. He was selected for inclusion in Kammonke Abam’s book, Changemakers: 100 Nigerians Leading Transformational Change. But the truth is that Anthony Onugba is a man of many tall and distinct parts. Here, he talks about himself and his cultural commitments, offering insightful responses, and presenting an intimate portrait that is tough to ignore.

                                                             Q:

Quite a number of people have pondered the question: Who is Anthony Onugba?                                                               

                                                            AO:

I can describe myself as a man of many talents and passions. To begin with, I am a project management professional, a consultant, a workshop facilitator, a film director, and a writer. I have worked with prestigious organisations and funders in the creative, ICT, and development sectors, managing projects that have made a positive impact on society. I have also authored eight books in various genres, and founded three magazines that showcase the literary talents of African writers. I am also the founder of Writers Space Africa (WSA) and the African Writers Development Trust (AWDT) and I love to promote African literature and celebrate writers across the continent.

                                                                   Q:

Could you take us on a journey through how Writers Space Africa came to be?

                                                                   AO:

Writers Space Africa (WSA) began in the year 2016. At the time, I called it Writers’ Space and it was just a platform that I used at the time to provide services to writers. These included at the time editing and proofreading, website design, and I also designed a forum where writers could join, post their works and other writers could leave comments or critique. But towards the end of the year, I decided to pursue a dream I had which was to publish a literary magazine. So I put together a small team and on January 2017, we published the first magazine also called Writers’ Space. The goal I had was to ensure that the magazine is published on the first day of every month and we kept to this schedule.

Now, the first and second edition of the magazine was populated with entries from Nigeria only. However, from the March 2017 edition, we received our first submissions from outside Nigeria; Ghana. Since then, we began to receive more entries from across the continent and it was as a result of this that we decided to call it Writers Space Africa from the 6^th edition which was the June 2017 edition. Since then, the magazine has continued to grow.

However, due to our need to ensure that we reach as many writers as we can, we began opening up groups in various countries with Kenya taking the lead with WSA-Kenya. This enabled the various countries to hold physical meetings and promote literature in their respective countries. Currently, WSA as an organisation exists in about 21 African countries across all regions.

                                                                   Q:

Please tell us about the African Writers Conference which has grown to be one of the biggest gathering of writers on the African continent.

                                                                   AO:

The African Writers Conference (AWC). This is the ultimate gathering of writers, authors, and literary enthusiasts from all corners of Africa. Founded by me in 2018, the AWC is a space for collaboration, learning, and networking, where aspiring writers can meet and mingle with established figures in the literary world. The AWC also features workshops, panel discussions such as the Writers Mingle, book launches, and more, making it a must-attend event for anyone passionate about African literature. The AWC has grown since 2018 and continues to grow by the year. However, noting how expensive travel is within Africa, we rotate the AWC among African countries and regions. For example, in 2018, we held the maiden edition in Nigeria. In 2019, it was held in Kenya, and then Zambia in 2020. In 2021, it was held in Tanzania and Cameroon hosted in 2022. The just concluded 2023 conference was held in Ghana with the 2024 edition being planned for Rwanda.

                                                            Q:

        Tell us more about the African Writers Awards (AWA).

                                                          AO:

This is the crowning glory of the AWC, where the best of the best are honoured and rewarded for their literary excellence. The AWA offers a generous cash prize of $500 to the winner, along with a certificate. I have been sponsoring the cash prize with the hope that as time goes on, more willing individuals would come on board to sponsor it. This is important because AWA aims to inspire and motivate writers to reach new heights and showcase the diversity and richness of African literature to the world. The goal is to have an award that is by Africans and for Africans.

                                                              Q:

       Tell us about the Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature.

                                                            AO: 

The Wakini Kuria Prize for Children’s Literature is a prestigious award created in memory of Wakini Kuria, who served as the Chief Editor of the WSA Literary magazine and was a valued member of the board of the African Writers Development Trust until her death in 2019. The prize recognises outstanding literary works for children and promote a love for reading among the younger generation. My involvement with the Wakini Kuria Prize reflects my commitment to fostering a rich literary culture that caters to readers of all ages. The prize has honoured and rewarded several talented writers of African descent with cash prizes of $200, $150, and $100 for the first, second, and third place respectively.

                                                               Q:

      What is the impulse behind the African Teen Writers Prize?

                                                              AO:

The idea I had for the African Teen Prize was to provide a platform where we can, as they say, catch them young. As a result, the Teen Prize began in 2020 to nurture and recognise the literary talents of teenagers across Africa. This exclusive prize is open to writers aged 13 to 19, who submit their entries in either the prose or poetry category. The winners of each genre are awarded a cash prize of $100 and this is generously sponsored by the award-winning Tanzanian author, Nahida Esmail, who has written several books and poems for children and young adults. Through this initiative, Esmail and I seek to inspire and empower the next generation of African writers, who will carry on the legacy and diversity of African literature.

                                                               Q:

The Boxing Day Spoken Word Contest is a new Initiative, tell us more?

                                                                AO:

This is a fun and festive literary event that I sponsor every year on December 26^th and it also began in 2022. This lively competition showcases the talents of spoken word artists, who perform their original pieces in front of a panel of judges and a live audience. The winners split the cash prize of $50, as well as the opportunity to perform at the next AWC. This contest is a great way to celebrate the power and beauty of the spoken word in African literature.

                                                                Q:

                                  And the Flash Poetry Competition?

                                                             AO:

This is a creative and challenging literary event initiated to recognise the growing popularity and impact of concise yet powerful poetic expressions. This contest challenges poets to distil their emotions, stories, and observations into a limited number of lines or stanzas. The Flash Poetry Competition encourages brevity, creativity, and the skilful use of language, ultimately highlighting the versatility and depth of African poetry. The poets are given a prompt and they have a couple of minutes to write a poem after which the poems will be reviewed. Winners of this competition also split the cash prize of $50, gain recognition for their exceptional talent, and contribute to the rich tapestry of African poetic traditions.

                                                            Q:

The WSA Creative Writing Academy represents your passion for teaching, is this so?

                                                       AO:

This is an educational and empowering platform that founded to foster literary talent and enhance writing skills. This academy provides aspiring writers with a platform to receive mentorship from established and experienced authors, gain valuable insights into the craft of storytelling, and access various resources and opportunities. Through workshops, online courses, and personalised guidance, the WSA Creative Writing Academy empowers writers to develop their unique voices and unleash their literary potential.

                                                        Q:

 You also run a Literary Mentorship and Support scheme outside of WSA?

                                                          AO:

Yes. It is an ongoing and personal endeavour that I engage in to provide guidance and encouragement to aspiring writers. Recognising the importance of feedback and constructive criticism in the writing journey, I provide mentorship programs and platforms where emerging writers can receive valuable advice and support. My commitment to nurturing literary talent extends beyond the confines of events and conferences, as I personally invest my time and expertise in helping writers overcome challenges, refine their craft, and navigate the intricacies of the publishing industry. This, I do through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, and online communities, thereby fostering a supportive ecosystem where creativity and learning can flourish.

                                                        Q:

                       How would you summarize your passions?

                                                       AO:

I would say that my commitment to African literature goes beyond programs and prizes. As a mentor, a cheerleader, a confidante, and a friend to writers across the continent, I try to foster a spirit of togetherness, reminding writers that they are not alone on this journey. I share my own experiences, the rejections, the triumphs, the lessons, offering not just technical advice, but the resilience to weather the storms. It is as a result of this that I am called the PenBoss which is not just a name but a symbol, a summary of my passions.

                                                        Q:

                        You are quite a busy writer. Do you have hobbies?

                                                       AO:

Yes, I have hobbies too. I am an avid animal and nature lover, who finds joy in taking walks in the rain, showing affection to animals, and engaging in mountaineering adventures. I am also a passionate star-gazer, who marvels at the beauty and mystery of the night sky. In all honesty, I appreciate the simple pleasures of life, as well as the grand challenges of literature. Above all, I have a motto which is: “Live, Love, Write” and I inspire as many as I can to do the same.