Wole Adedoyin interviews Akinola Sesanpoetry is an Expression of My Life and the World Around

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A POET?
AKINOLA SESAN: I am Akinola Sesan, a poet of social and cultural conscience. I have lent my voice to political activism through my poem The Nation Builder, which was the first runner-up at the 2017 Christopher Okigbo Poetry Competition. I started writing poetry as a teenager. I remember my early poems, The School Has Closed and Despising the Professional Teacher, which were published by my school press club under the guidance of my Literature teacher, Mr. Akaba.
Since then, I have written numerous poems published in local and international journals, magazines, and anthologies. Recently, I was among 64 poets selected from 24 countries for an anthology on gender issues titled Love Is a Divine Fragrance, published in India. I have also published three poetry collections: Poems of Metaphysics (2013), Tomorrow, at Sunrise (2017), and The Grief of Anibala (2023).

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION?
AKINOLA SESAN: I heard about it through a WhatsApp platform.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
AKINOLA SESAN: I was inspired to participate in order to lend my voice to social justice and human rights advocacy.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOUR POEM FOCUS ON?
AKINOLA SESAN: My poem focuses on social inclusion, equality, and representation.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR HUMAN RIGHTS THEME FOR YOUR POEM?
AKINOLA SESAN: I chose this theme because a good human rights poem should both advocate and educate people about their rights.

WA: CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION OR STORY BEHIND YOUR SUBMITTED POEM?
AKINOLA SESAN: The idea for the poem developed during the palliative period, when the government appeared to present relief efforts as favors to the masses from crude oil proceeds.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POETIC STYLE OR APPROACH TO WRITING ON SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
AKINOLA SESAN: My style is simple and accessible, using everyday language. To me, that is the hallmark of a good poem—everyone should be able to understand and connect with it.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS COMPETITION?
AKINOLA SESAN: I did not face many challenges, except translating Yoruba expressions into English equivalents for non-Yoruba readers.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK POETRY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA?
AKINOLA SESAN: Poetry can promote human rights when platforms exist that allow poets to express their ideas freely and without prejudice—platforms like this competition.

WA: IN WHAT WAYS HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION CHANGED OR BROADENED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
AKINOLA SESAN: It has broadened my perspective, especially in the area of social representation.

WA: WERE THERE ANY OTHER POEMS OR POETS IN THE COMPETITION THAT PARTICULARLY MOVED OR INSPIRED YOU?
AKINOLA SESAN: I did not have access to other entries, so I cannot say.

WA: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR POEM?
AKINOLA SESAN: I hope readers will not feel inferior or less human despite inhumane treatment from authorities. They should recognize their worth and dignity.

WA: HOW HAS THIS COMPETITION HELPED SHAPE YOUR GROWTH AS A POET AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE?
AKINOLA SESAN: It has encouraged me to produce more poems focused on human rights advocacy, which I hope to publish in the near future.

WA: DO YOU BELIEVE POETRY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? WHY?
AKINOLA SESAN: Yes, poetry has a unique power to create awareness. Creative expression can transform minds and inspire change.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH POETS FROM OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES?
AKINOLA SESAN: I did not see them as competitors, but as voices coming together to raise awareness about human rights through creative expression.

WA: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR POETRY?
AKINOLA SESAN: Literature is life, and life is literature. Poetry is simply an expression of my life and the world around me.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY WILL HAVE ON BOTH AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
AKINOLA SESAN: I hope my poetry will transform people’s consciousness and raise awareness about identity and human rights.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE USING POETRY AS A TOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
AKINOLA SESAN: I plan to keep submitting my work to journals, platforms, magazines, and anthologies that promote human rights and identity awareness.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
AKINOLA SESAN: A poet is not defined by awards. Writers should focus on creating works that shape generations and influence human rights advocacy.

WA: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING POETRY PROJECTS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
AKINOLA SESAN: I am currently working on a new poetry collection that combines themes of mental health and human rights advocacy, which I hope to publish soon.

Akinola Sesan is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and mental health advocate whose works explore themes of identity, relationships, and social issues. Known for his thought-provoking and engaging style, his writing often reflects contemporary Nigerian experiences. He has authored several plays and poetry collections, earning recognition both locally and internationally. Residing in Ibadan, Nigeria, he shares his life with his wife, Tosin.