Ihram Writivism Laureate Mbizo Chirasha Speaks to Nigerian Poet and Writer Tunde Ojerinola

MC: Who is Tunde  Ojerinola and what are you doing currently?
Tunde Ojerinola: Tunde Ojerinola is a final-year, undergraduate student at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a budding poet, literary enthusiast and an aspiring social worker. Also, he is a member of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan.

MC: How long have you been writing?
Tunde Ojerinola: I started my writing journey with poetry in 2017.

MC: Where are your writings published, list the publications?
Tunde Ojerinola: My writings are published on Fatherlandgazette and Indy Press. From March to June 2025, I have published five articles that cut across social problems and African cultural heritage. Here are some of my recent works:
”Prejudice—How Does It Affect You?” https://fatherlandgazette.com/prejudice-how-does-it-affect-you/
”Xhosa Circumcision Rite—A Making of Men” https://fatherlandgazette.com/xhosa-circumcision-rite-a-making-of-men/
”Put to Work Too Soon—the Devastating Effects of Child Labour” https://fatherlandgazette.com/put-to-work-too-soon-the-devastating-effects-of-child-labour/
”Cries of a Continent” ( a poem) https://fatherlandgazette.com/cries-of-a-continent/#respond
”Impeded Last Hope—NELFund Numerous Issues” https://indypressui.org/2025/06/24/impeded-last-hope-nelfund-numerous-issues/

MC: How are writers, poets and artists treated in your country?
Tunde Ojerinola: My country, Nigeria, is a place of rich modern African literary heritage and home to African writers of global repute like China Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and so on. Even though they face challenges such as inadequate or limited funding and lack of proper environment and infrastructure to thrive, the poets and artists in my country are treated with dignity and respect. Also, there is a growing consciousness and appreciation for creativity in form of arts and writings.

MC: How many writers organisations are currently operating  in  Nigeria?
Tunde Ojerinola: Giving the number of writers organisation may not really be accurate. However, the major, unifying writers organisation in Nigeria is the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) which has membership in all states and regions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Apart from ANA, there are many localised writers organisations which are operating freely in states and communities across the country.

MC: How many books have you written so far?
Tunde Ojerinola: I have not written any books yet.

MC: Have you won any writers ,poetry and book prizes?
Tunde Ojerinola: I have not won any writers, poetry and book prizes, but given my level of literary creativity and passion, I believe I should win some prizes very soon. I am submitting entries to some national and international prizes already.

MC: In your writings, are you touching on gender and social justice?
Tunde Ojerinola: Yes, my writings are majorly about gender equality and social justice.

MC: How do you respect  freedom of speech or expression in your country?
Tunde Ojerinola: In Nigeria, the freedom of speech and expression is recognised by the law of the federal republic and is being respected. Writers are rarely convicted for speaking their minds.

Tunde Ojerinola is a final-year undergraduate student at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a budding poet, literary enthusiast and an aspiring social worker. Also, he is a member of the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan.