Dublin, Ireland – At the International Literature Festival Dublin (ILFD) held in May, Nigerian-German writer Olumide Popoola and literary agent Bibi Bakare-Yusuf engaged in a vibrant discussion about the past, present, and future of Nigerian and African writing.

“There’s a renewed energy and excitement, and I want that to continue across the African literary landscape,” remarked Bakare-Yusuf, founder of Cassava Republic Press. Established in 2006 with headquarters in Abuja, Cassava Republic Press has been pivotal in promoting Nigerian literature to audiences in Africa and globally, expanding with offices in the UK and the US.

“With the existence of Cassava, we have really shown the world that, in the way that Africans are, we exist in a multitude, and our stories must exist in a multitude as well,” Bakare-Yusuf elaborated. “It must encompass as much variety as possible; from the village to a slum in Kinshasa or Lagos, to the luxury of Cape Town.”

Abuja: City of Literature

Bakare-Yusuf and Popoola spoke at the ILFD event ‘Cities of Literature: Abuja’ on May 22. Abuja is seeking designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network launched in 2004. Currently, South Africa is the only African country with designated cities, including Durban and Buffalo City, recognized for their literary richness.

“Abuja has really grown in terms of its literary offerings,” Bakare-Yusuf stated. “There are so many book clubs, a lot of theatres outdoors and indoors, and many bookshops. These are things that make for a great ‘City of Literature,’ and I would really welcome Abuja to become the first city in Nigeria to be designated.”

Popoola, who is represented by Cassava Republic, expressed her admiration for Nigerian literature. “Nigerian literature is very, very rich,” she said. “I’m obviously very inspired by it and the different ways of storytelling to the Western canon. It’s something that I deeply admire.”

Reshaping Narratives

Popoola is a key figure in changing how African literature is perceived internationally. The author, who grew up between Nigeria and Germany and is now based in London, published her first novel, “When We Speak of Nothing,” with Cassava Republic in 2017. Her new book, “Like Water, Like Sea,” explores themes of relationships, motherhood, and mental health, featuring a central character with bipolar disorder.

“I’m slightly on the experimental side because I want to rethink how we shape narratives and how we tell stories,” Popoola explained. “We’re very used to a certain three-act structure of linear and narrative arc, and – not that my books don’t have that or that there isn’t a conclusion – but my stories take you in a slightly roundabout way.”

She emphasized the freedom Cassava Republic provides. “Cassava’s ethos is to have a much richer idea of what African literature should be, and that is really inspiring as a writer and freeing,” she said.

A Growing Publishing Industry

Since its inception, Cassava Republic has witnessed significant growth in the continent’s publishing industry and international readership. “When we started 17 years ago, there was just a handful of writers that we would have heard about internationally,” Bakare-Yusuf noted. “I think that when you have a publishing house on the continent that is sharing what’s possible, it inspires other people. At least five other publishers have come on board, which is really exciting and we want more across the continent.”

Cassava Republic offers a diverse range of books for adults, young adults, and children, emphasizing affordability.

Archives of the Future

Beyond Abuja, the interest in Nigerian and African writing continues to expand. “I think it’s definitely a time for diversity in literature,” Popoola observed. “I think there’s so much hunger for different voices that are not just coming from dominant voices or the West that we’ve been used to.”

For Bakare-Yusuf, publishing African voices is crucial for future generations. “We need to have a more expansive story about the continent, about our people,” she said. “If we don’t have those stories done now, we’re not going to have anything in the future.” She termed the concept “the archive of the future.”

“I strongly believe that the future archive that our children’s children are going to open in 500 years’ time, it’s what we’re already creating today,” she said. “I want to be part and parcel of the people creating that.”