February/March 2021 Archives

The Excessive Debt Burdens of COVID-19 Development Financing in the Pandemic

Chimezie AnajamaMarch 31, 2021

As African governments attempt to battle the economic impacts of COVID-19, they must re-imagine development financing which will translate into efficiency in public expenditure and foresight in public investments that go hand in hand with inclusion, accountability and transparency as political norms and values. Read more.

February/March 2021Special Focus: COVID-19

‘I Always Start With Structure and Flow.’ Paula Akugizibwe's First Draft

Paula AkugizibweMarch 26, 2021

Author of ‘(Purse) Strings Attached’, Paula Akugizibwe, used to resist ambiguity. More recently, however, ‘I’ve grown more comfortable with uncertainty if that’s what is most honest—both in my writing and in my lived experiences—and it’s liberating. Read our interview.

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

The Zabarmari Massacre and the Politics of Reality Distortion Grief, Terrorist Attacks and an Apathetic Government

Theophilus SokumaMarch 24, 2021

The government's response to the Zabarmari Massacre shows that there is a deliberate attempt at reality distortion, with the government more concerned about saving face than bringing an end to insurgency. Read more.

February/March 2021

a young man sits during an EndSARS protest in Lagos

A Nation Divided ProSARS vs. EndSARS: A North/South Divide

Theophilus SokumaMarch 22, 2021

For a long time now, the interaction between the North and the South in Nigeria has been one void of empathy and mutual understanding. Read more.

Best of 2021: EssaysFebruary/March 2021

‘I Always Think of Writing as Sculpting.’ Abimbola Alaba's First Draft

Abimbola AlabaMarch 19, 2021

Author of ‘The Revolution Generation’, Abimbola Alaba thinks writing is just like sculpting. ‘There must be a mound of something—clay or wax or stone—to carve and chisel into a semblance of art.’ Read more.

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

Travelers Of African Literature, Nomads and New Garments

Nzube NlebedimMarch 17, 2021

African literature is experiencing a paradigm shift from the old ideals to new ones. It is in a stage of rediscovery as it sheds off old notions of humanity and adorns fresh garments of new shades of colours. Read more.

February/March 2021

Loud Lagos, Loving You Is Not a Thankless Job Monochrome Lagos in Photos

Logo "Logor" OluwamuyiwaMarch 15, 2021

At the start of the Monochrome Lagos project, Logo Oluwamuyiwa had a bold ambition to map out every corner of Lagos and then develop an archive that summarized everywhere and everyone. Read more.

February/March 2021

‘Editors Will Really Change Your Life.’ Fadekemi Abiru’s First Draft

Fadekemi AbiruMarch 12, 2021

Author of ‘Africa’s Lost Decade’ and ‘Banking on Women’, Fadekemi Abiru believes writing informs as much as it reflects society. She often asks, ‘What, if anything, is the story doing to fix or exacerbate the inequalities and oppressions we know are growing?’

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

Sọ̀rọ̀ Sókè is not a Metaphor #EndSARS and the Music Protest Tradition

Blossom MaduafokwaMarch 10, 2021

The use of music during the #EndSARs protests followed a long tradition passed down to young Nigerians who communicated through songs, the savage nature of those who hurt them and protested against that hurt in the very same breath—that they mattered and refused to bow to fear. Read more

February/March 2021

Pan-Africanism in Foreign Policy African Organizations as Pan-African Agents in the ‘New Scramble’

Chinweizu OkekeMarch 8, 2021

The proliferation of economic summits and partnerships and the opportunities they bring, present an opportunity for Africa to reassert its agency, as well as redefine and reapply pan-Africanism. Read more.

February/March 2021