Association of Nigerian Authors celebrates Adimora-Ezeigbo on 79th birthday
By Editor
THE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has warmly congratulated Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, current Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), on the joyous occasion of her 79th birthday.
The congratulatory message was contained in a press statement jointly issued by the ANA President, Dr. Uman Oladipo Akanbi, and the General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, PhD.
In the statement, ANA described Professor Adimora-Ezeigbo as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished literary icons whose enduring contributions to creative writing, scholarship, and mentorship have left an indelible mark on the nation’s literary landscape.
The association praised her unwavering commitment to excellence and her tireless efforts in nurturing generations of writers, scholars, and literary enthusiasts.
Adimora-Ezeigbo, an accomplished Nigerian author and educator, has published extensively across genres, including novels, poetry, short stories, children’s literature, essays, and journalism. A recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Nigeria Prize for Literature, her body of work reflects depth, cultural consciousness, and a profound engagement with societal issues. Her writings continue to inspire readers within and beyond Nigeria.
Beyond her creative accomplishments, ANA highlighted her remarkable academic career and supervisory record. At the University of Lagos, she supervised over 160 undergraduate projects between 1986 and 2015, in addition to supervising 12 projects at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, from 2015 to 2022. She also guided more than 100 Master’s dissertations at Unilag and successfully supervised 12 PhD candidates who graduated between 2003 and 2018. She is currently supervising a doctoral student at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State. Additionally, she supervised six Postgraduate Diploma students at the University of Lagos between 2012 and 2014.
The association further commended her contributions to journalism and public discourse. Professor Ezeigbo served on the editorial boards of two Lagos-based newspapers, The Independent (1992–1995) and The Post Express (1997–1999), where she wrote editorials, feature articles, and maintained regular columns. Through these platforms, she demonstrated her versatility and commitment to shaping informed public opinion.
ANA also acknowledged her global literary engagements, noting that Professor Ezeigbo has toured several countries, reading from her works and participating in international literary events.
In 1993, she toured six British cities—London, Bristol, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, and Nottingham—where she read from her short story collection Rhythms of Life: Stories of Modern Nigeria. She was a guest of the Centre for African Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 1998 and delivered readings in Germany at the Evangelische Akademie in Bad Boll (2000) and Humboldt University, Berlin (2002). She also participated in the Time of the Writer Festival in South Africa, the 2002 International PEN Convention in Macedonia, and presented a paper at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair in 2003.
Among her numerous publications are The Buried Treasure, The Prize, Alani the Troublemaker & Other Stories, Asa and the Little Stream, Whisker the Brave Cat, Red One and the Wizard of Mula, Snake Child and Star Baby, Ezezemale and the Tree Spirits, Sunshine, the Miracle Child, Heart Songs, Clouds and Other Poems for Children, Ako the Storyteller and Zoba and His Gang.
These works, spanning children’s fiction and poetry to adult literature, underscore her versatility and commitment to promoting literacy and storytelling among diverse audiences.
While celebrating her 79th birthday, ANA expressed profound gratitude for Professor Ezeigbo’s steadfast dedication to the advancement of Nigerian literature and scholarship.
The association prayed for her continued good health, strength, and inspiration, noting that her legacy remains a guiding light for emerging and established writers alike.
ANA reaffirmed its pride in associating with such a distinguished literary matriarch whose life embodies service, excellence, and creative brilliance.
