Wole Adedoyin interviews Nkiru Mercy: My Poetic Style is Rooted in Social Realism and Protest Poetry

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A POET?
MERCY: My name is Mercy—a lawyer, poet, and storyteller—and I find great joy in weaving words into worlds through my creative work. I am a vibrant woman who believes that stories can dismantle the strongholds of injustice and inspire mindful advocacy. My poetic background is rooted in two defining aspects of my life. First, having lived through the trauma of religious conflict and terrorism in Jos, I have witnessed and felt the human cost of violence—fear, rage, grief, and hope—which deeply shape my perspective. Secondly, as a Nigerian woman, I have navigated the complexities of cultural expectations, societal norms, and personal identity. These experiences drive me to explore themes of social realism, resilience, hope, justice, and feminist advocacy.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION?
MERCY: I saw it online.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
MERCY: Firstly, I am passionate about human rights, so participating was a way of engaging with something my heart truly burns for. Secondly, I enjoy creative writing exercises that broaden my perspective and sharpen my skills. Competing alongside poets from across Africa presented a beautiful opportunity to exchange ideas and spark creativity for a greater cause.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOUR POEM FOCUS ON?
MERCY: My poem, titled Tick-Tock, focused on child marriage.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR HUMAN RIGHTS THEME FOR YOUR POEM?
MERCY: There are many unjust socio-cultural practices affecting girls and women, but I find child marriage particularly destructive. It robs a girl of her future, endangers her health, and denies her even a fighting chance. That, to me, is a cruel form of erasure.

WA: CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION OR STORY BEHIND YOUR SUBMITTED POEM?
MERCY: As a 200-level undergraduate during a university strike, I travelled to Lagos. On my return journey to Jos, I met a very young mother on the bus, heading to Gombe. Her husband had dropped her off with a newborn and left. She was barely a teenager—confused and frightened. Other women had to guide her on how to care for the baby. Although I understood Hausa, I couldn’t speak it well enough at the time to communicate with her. That encounter has stayed with me ever since.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POETIC STYLE OR APPROACH TO WRITING ON SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
MERCY: My poetic style is rooted in social realism and protest poetry. I draw inspiration from everyday life—my experiences and those of others—to highlight social issues and advocate for change. My approach is passionate, advocacy-driven, and often satirical.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS COMPETITION?
MERCY: Honestly, none.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK POETRY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA?
MERCY: Poetry is multidimensionally powerful. It fills the gaps that legislation cannot always address, evokes awareness vividly, and communicates in ways that resonate deeply—not mechanically, but with passion and urgency.

WA: IN WHAT WAYS HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION CHANGED OR BROADENED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
MERCY: Seeing the level of participation across Africa reinforced the idea that human rights issues are central to our diverse experiences. They should never be trivialized or overlooked but continually brought to the attention of communities and leaders across the continent.

WA: WERE THERE ANY OTHER POEMS OR POETS IN THE COMPETITION THAT PARTICULARLY MOVED OR INSPIRED YOU?
MERCY: Not particularly. I didn’t have access to other entries beyond the released titles, but I remain excited about the overall experience.

WA: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR POEM?
MERCY: That child marriage is evil and destructive.

WA: HOW HAS THIS COMPETITION HELPED SHAPE YOUR GROWTH AS A POET AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE?
MERCY: It reminded me that human rights is never an obsolete topic.

WA: DO YOU BELIEVE POETRY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? WHY?
MERCY: Absolutely. Poetry uniquely fills the gaps left by legislation, evoking awareness in ways that are compelling and emotionally resonant. It speaks to people beyond logic—creatively spreading the tentacles of justice.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH POETS FROM OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES?
MERCY: Transformative and challenging.

WA: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR POETRY?
MERCY: My themes are closely tied to my daily experiences as a Nigerian woman. Sometimes they are lived experiences; other times, they come from witnessing what other girls and women go through.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY WILL HAVE ON BOTH AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
MERCY: I hope my work encourages people to embrace genuine respect for human rights, unlearn oppressive norms, and build societies where dignity thrives. Globally, I hope to amplify the voices of girls and women affected by gender-based violence and inspire meaningful intervention.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE USING POETRY AS A TOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
MERCY: Through my blog and continued digital advocacy, as well as participating in more global competitions to expand the reach of my message.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
MERCY: Be authentic and follow the rules.

WA: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING POETRY PROJECTS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
MERCY: I have a manuscript in progress—that’s all I can share for now.

Nkiru Mercy is a writer, poet, and lawyer who believes deeply in the transformational power of poems and stories. Born and raised in Jos—a city shaped by religious conflict and terror attacks—she has navigated a complex emotional landscape of fear, grief, rage, and hope, experiences that profoundly inform her writing. Drawing from this background, she authored “The Plateau We Want,” published in the Law Students Society Magazine of the University of Jos, and later wrote “My Nigerian Week,” a poignant reflection on the plight of young Nigerians during the EndSARS protests, published by Mbari Magazine in 2020. Her poem “The Bogeyman,” written to raise awareness and honor survivors of sexual abuse, was featured by Talku Talku Podcast in the same year. She obtained her Law degree from the University of Jos in 2023 and has since cultivated a strong passion for Humanitarian Law, dedicating her time to tutoring children in reading clubs in Jos and supporting humanitarian organizations aiding victims of terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East and Middle-Belt regions. Mercy is also the ideator of Nkirusscroll, a literature and lifestyle blog where she shares her thoughts freely, and she aspires to become a Renaissance lawyer who advances justice through creative and multidisciplinary approaches. Outside her professional and creative pursuits, she enjoys reading novels, playing tennis, hiking the rocky landscapes of Jos, and spending quality time with her family.