Photo Credit Copyright Dujonna Gift-Simms (used with permission)
The ‘Home from Home’ project aims to explore the legacies of pioneering British Nigerians in the UK and their impact on society. The project highlights and celebrates British Nigerian contributions to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London, in particular. In this interview we feature author Tọlá Okogwu.
Who is Tọlá?
I’m an award-winning author, born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, England. I studied Journalism and spent some years exploring the world of blogging, haircare and freelance writing before returning to my first love…fiction. My originally self-published picture book series, Daddy Do My Hair is a firm family favourite and my best-selling debut novel, Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun was shortlisted for a number of awards including the British Book Awards, Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Awards and The Week Junior Book Awards. In March 2024, my World Book Day title, Onyeka and the Secret Superhero, became a UK top ten Bestseller. I also write as Lola Morayo and I currently live in Kent, England with my husband, two daughters and all our books.
What does “Home From Home” mean to you?
It means anywhere I feel able to be my authentic myself. A place where I don’t need to diminish, adjust or protect myself. It’s where true family can be found.
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
I think my existence is in itself a celebration of my Nigerian heritage because it’s so much a part of who I am. From the books I write to even the way I parent are heavily influenced by my heritage and I actively choose to highlight the positive aspects, even as I grapple with the negative. It manifests in little things like the Nigerian foods we cook and enjoy at home to the choice to spell my name with the Yorùbá diacritics included.
What does being “British Nigerian” mean to you?
For me, it means I am a Nigerian woman with British Nationality. It means I get to combine the best parts of the two cultures in a way that works for me and my family.
How do you stay connected to your identity?
My identity begins with my faith in God. So staying connected to my identity literally means staying connected to God. Everything else flows from there.
What does culture mean to you?
Culture at its most basic form is just a set of beliefs and behaviours that unites a group of people. From ethnicity to religion, it permeates all aspects of human life. I belong to so many different cultures. Some more easily identifiable than others and some I chose, whilst others were decided for me. Regardless, culture for me is a place of belonging.
What do you imagine the future of the British Nigerian Community to look like in the next few years based on your industry?
The publishing industry has historically been slow when it comes to including new or different voices, but there has been a big shift in the last three years. At the vanguard of it are British Nigerian writers. From children’s books to memoirs and even literary fiction, these authors are pushing the boundaries both real and imagined with exciting stories that are shattering stereotypes and shaking tables. I expect this movement to not only continue, but to grow as more writers become established and mature, opening even more doors for new talent.
Links to website/Social Media:
Instagram: @tolaokogwu
Twitter: @tolaokogwu
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TolaOkogwuauthor
