IHRAM literary Activism laureate Mbizo Chirasha in a broader conversation with multi-genre Nigerian Writer Justice Faruck

MC: Who is Justice Faruck and how long have you been writing?

Justice Faruck: Justice Faruck is the pen name of Umar Faruq Awal, a Nigerian writer whose work explores silence, resilience, and the survival of women and men in contemporary Africa. The name was inspired by my late father’s mentor and friend, Late Justice Faruk Imam Muhammad, after whom I was named. I have been writing actively for over six years, though I have been drawn to storytelling since my teenage years.

MC: How many books or stories have you published so far and how are they received in your country?
Justice Faruck: I have published several short stories in anthologies and online platforms, and my debut novel The Loud Silence Between Us is currently forthcoming. I also recently completed and sent my new manuscript When Their Daughters Returned for querying. My stories have been well received in Nigeria, particularly among young readers who connect with themes of trauma, love, silence, and resilience.

MC: What are your literary thematic areas?
Justice Faruck: My writing explores gender, love, trauma, silence, cultural resilience, family, and survival, often weaving personal experiences with broader social realities.

MC: Are you a multi-genre writer or do you only write short stories?
Justice Faruck: I am a multi-genre writer. I work across literary fiction, romance, thriller, and creative nonfiction, depending on the story I want to tell.

MC: How is the book industry in your country?
Justice Faruck: The Nigerian book industry is vibrant but challenging. There is a growing literary community and increasing interest from young readers, but issues like distribution, publishing infrastructure, and limited government support remain obstacles. Writers also suffer heavily from piracy, which makes it difficult to earn respectable income from their works.

MC: Do you write anything on racial equity, social justice, gender rights and other human rights?
Justice Faruck: Yes. My work is deeply concerned with social justice and gender rights. For example, my novels and stories highlight women’s struggles with silence, abuse, cultural expectations, and the fight for freedom. I see literature as a way to speak for the unheard and challenge societal norms.

MC: How are writers and artists appreciated or treated in your country?
Justice Faruck: Writers and artists are admired by readers but often undervalued structurally. While there is appreciation for creativity, financial and institutional support is limited. Piracy also undermines writers’ livelihoods, leaving many unable to earn a respectable living from their craft.

MC: Do you have spaces that promote creativity, literary arts, books and writing in your country?
Justice Faruck: Yes, Nigeria has literary spaces such as the Lagos International Poetry Festival, Ake Arts & Book Festival, Kaduna Book & Arts Festival, Abuja Literary Festival, as well as smaller community writing workshops, residencies, and book clubs that create safe spaces for writers.

MC: Have you ever attended literature festivals, fellowship programmes and bookfairs, how has been your experience?
Justice Faruck: I have never attended a fellowship programme before, but I have attended a lot of book readings and book clubs, which have been inspiring and encouraging. These experiences have allowed me to connect with fellow writers and readers in meaningful ways.

MC: How many awards / accolades have you received since you began literary arts activism and writing?
Justice Faruck: Apart from being shortlisted and longlisted for the Narratives Against Poverty In Africa Prize, as I just recently started submitting my works for literary prizes  I have never won any award or accolade yet. But each recognition has motivated me to keep writing stories that matter.

Justice Faruck (Umar Faruq Awal) is a Nigerian writer whose works explore silence, trauma, gender, and survival in contemporary Africa. His debut novel, The Loud Silence Between Us, explores women’s agency, abuse, and resilience in Northern Nigeria. He has also completed a second manuscript, When Their Daughters Returned, which is currently out on query. His stories have been published in anthologies and literary platforms across Africa. He writes across multiple genres, including literary fiction, romance, thriller, and creative nonfiction. Inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s emotionally rich storytelling, he infuses English with Hausa expressions to reflect the realities of his people. Justice has participated in book readings, clubs, and literary festivals that continue to shape his craft. His forthcoming works include a romance novel A Love That Burns and a thriller Whispers From the Dead. He sees literature as a tool of resistance and hope. He lives and writes in Nigeria, continually striving to give voice to silenced stories.