Tolu Akinyemi

Tolu Akinyemi
Born	Akure, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Other names	Poetolu
Alma mater	University of Greenwich, London, Federal University of Technology Akure
Occupation	Writer, poet
Notable work	Your Father Walks Like A Crab (2013),I Laugh at These Skinny Girls (2015), Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted (2017)
Website	poetolu.com

Tolu Akinyemi, also referred to as Poetolu is a Nigerian writer, poet and creative director.^[1][2] His work is notable for its relatable insights and humorous take on everyday human experiences.^{[3][1][4][5][6]}

Biography and education[]

Tolu Akinyemi (in full, Toluwalope Akinyemi) was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.^[7] His parents worked in the state government's civil service.^[8][9] He attended in the same city, Oyemekun Grammar School, where he was first an Assistant Senior Prefect and later became the Senior Prefect . He then studied Architecture and Design at the Federal University of Technology Akure, earning a Bachelor of Technology degree in 2008.^[2][7] In 2011 he obtained a Master of Science degree in Built Environment Studies from the University of Greenwich.^[7][8] He currently lives in London, England.

Writing[]

Tolu Akinyemi is the author of three collections of poetry. His first collection 'Your Father Walks Like A Crab' published in 2013, was described by Lola Shoneyin as "a witty debut".^[10] In 2017 and 2018, he was named one of ‘100 most influential Nigerian writers under 40'.^{[11][12][13][14]} In 2017, he won the Nigerian Writers’ Award (Poetry writer of the year) for his poetry collection "I Laugh at These Skinny Girls".^[15][16] His works have been featured in advertisements, documentaries, and in cultural and literary publications such as the Association of Nigerian Authors Anthologies ,^[17][13] Forward Poetry's ‘Great British Write-off Anthology’, and Black History Month Magazine.^[13][1] In 2017 he obtained the Arts Council England’s, ‘exceptional talent endorsement’ as a creative writer.^[18][2][19] This was a part of the British Home Office's 'exceptional talent visa' programme to attract to the United Kingdom, exceptionally talented individuals in fields such as the arts and sciences.^[20]

Other works[]

In 2016 he started writing the online 'Halima Series', an illustrated and humorous social commentary on popular culture and everyday experiences from the point of view of the fictional character called Halima.^[21]

Bibliography[]

• Your Father Walks Like A Crab, (Poetry for people who hate poetry) Strange Ideas UK, 2013 ISBN 978-9789329199^[22][9]
• I laugh at These Skinny Girls, (Poetry for people who hate poetry) Heart of Words UK, 2015, ISBN 978-9785359718^[23]
• Funny Men Cannot Be Trusted, (Poetry for people who hate poetry) Heart of Words UK, 2017 ISBN 978-9785359763^[17]

References[]