The African Gaze: Essays on Culture and Society—Past, Present and Future

‘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

‘Writing never dies.’ Promise Frank Ejiofor's First Draft

Promise Frank EjioforMarch 5, 2021

Author of ‘A Post-Coup World’ and ‘Looting as Cartharsis’, Promise Frank Ejiofor, grew up on books. ‘I grew to love literature to the point that I feared that I would go mad if I did not read or write something every week.’

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

Songs in the #EndSARS Protests How Music Captured the Frustrations of Young Nigerians

Adekunle FaladeMarch 3, 2021

Much has been written about the role of social media and offline community-building in sustaining the #EndSARs protests. However, the role of music during the protests needs more attention. Read more.

February/March 2021

Transcending Economics Racism and Anti-Racism in the Modern World

Promise Frank EjioforMarch 1, 2021

To address racism, we must transcend economics and seek avenues through which different groups can interact under conditions of mutual interdependence and equality. Read more.

February/March 2021

‘Writing is Mostly Editing.’ Grey Atanda's First Draft

Grey AtandaFebruary 26, 2021

Author of ‘The Measure of Our Lives’, Grey Atanda, wishes they had understood Chinua Achebe’s works sooner. ‘…not getting it crippled my own writing. If I had gotten Things Fall Apart earlier, I think, I would be a much better writer.’

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

‘I Believe in a “Supranatural” Writing Process.’ Edwin Chege’s First Draft

Edwin ChegeFebruary 19, 2021

Author of ‘The Case for Colonial Reparations’, Edwin Chege, believes in a ‘supranatural’ writing process, ‘that ideas should flow easily and freely.’ ‘Writing often involves an ethereal, otherworldly process of tapping into some consciousness that is greater than the self.’ Read our interview.

February/March 2021First DraftInterviewsKenyaZimbabwe

‘Every Word Has a Function.’ Chinonye Otuonye’s First Draft

Chinonye OtuonyeFebruary 12, 2021

Associate editor at The Republic and author of ‘Anti-Racism Beyond the West’, Chinonye Otuonye, believes ‘Editing isn’t simply about taking away words or sentences and adding new ones.’ ‘It’s ultimately about structure and clarity.’ Read our interview.

February/March 2021First DraftInterviews

Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede's illustration

‘Great Writers Develop Themselves.’ Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede's First Draft

Christopher Olaoluwa OgunmodedeFebruary 5, 2021

Editor at The Republic and author of ‘John Mugufuli’s Baby Fever’, Christopher Olaoluwa Ogunmodede, believes great writing emerges from practice. ‘Just like leaders are made, not born, great writers develop themselves. Or at least, great writing is a skill that can be taught.’ Read our interview.

Best of 2021February/March 2021First DraftInterviewsNigeria

‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!’ Our Readers Reflect on the #EndSARS Protests

The RepublicFebruary 3, 2021

If the government we have elected to safeguard our lives and property won’t put an end to police brutality, who will? Read more.

February/March 2021Special Focus: #EndSARS

‘People Die in Nigeria Because They Lack Political Representation’ Dafe Oputu's First Draft

Dafe OputuJanuary 29, 2021

Author of ‘Zombiescapes’ and ‘For the People Without the People’, Dafe Oputu, believes the importance of political representation is understated. ‘It’s literally a matter of life and death—people die in Nigeria every day because of lack of political representation.’

December 20/January 21First DraftInterviewsNigeria Decided 2023: First DraftNigeria Decides 2023