Nigerian-American Author Known For Young Adult Fiction Excited About Homecoming

Over a month after the release of the final instalment of her acclaimed trilogy on Orïsha (deity in Yoruba language), 31-year-old Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi is setting her sights on a special journey back home to her roots.

Speaking with FORBES AFRICA via Zoom from the United States, Adeyemi shares her excitement about returning to Nigeria, a place that has profoundly influenced her work and identity.

Adeyemi, born Oluwatomiloba, has been known for bringing the rich traditions and culture of West Africa to the forefront of Young Adult fiction. Her latest novel, Children of Anguish and Anarchy, continues this legacy, weaving together elements of Nigerian heritage and mythology. But beyond her literary milestones, Adeyemi’s connection to Nigeria is deeply personal.

“It’s been such an incredible journey,” Adeyemi reflects. “I was young, about four years old, the time I visited Nigeria, so it was a lot of meeting and a lot of love. A lot of my family is in the United States, Canada, and some in London.”

Despite being away for many years, the bond she feels with Nigeria remains strong. Adeyemi’s family and fans alike have been encouraging her to experience ‘Detty December’, a time when Nigeria’s cities come alive with celebrations, music, and cultural events.

However, Adeyemi’s return to Nigeria is poised to be more than just a visit. Paramount Pictures is currently developing a film adaptation of the Orïsha trilogy, with Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King) directing. Adeyemi has been closely involved in the project, both as a co-writer and executive producer. She reveals plans to hold the movie’s premiere in Lagos, a city that embodies the vibrant energy and creativity that has inspired much of her work.

“The premiere comes first, and when I return, it will be more of an ancestry trip,” Adeyemi explains. She envisions the premiere as a moment of pride not just for herself, but for Nigerians everywhere. “Part of me is like, ‘okay, let’s come back with this big celebration’. Like I tell Gina, I was like, ‘Gina, I will dress you up, I can’t wait to wrap you in a gele again — it’s gonna be amazing’. So I feel like the next time I’m there, it will be just this triumph in celebration of us and our culture.”

Adeyemi discusses her plans to connect with her heritage. “I would love to visit where my grandparents grew up, where my parents grew up,” she says.

“When I come back, I just want to party with my people, and I want them to feel proud of this project and all the people who are now coming to celebrate our ancestry, our heritage, our culture, our beauty, our passion,” she enthuses.

Beyond her literary and cinematic pursuits, Adeyemi is passionate about nurturing the next generation of writers. She discusses her online masterclass, The Writers Roadmap, designed to help aspiring authors turn their ideas into published novels. “I’m so proud because at this point, we have about three of our students who have secured publishing deals and published novels,” she says, expressing her dream of one day seeing a bookstore section dedicated solely to her students’ work.

As for the future, Adeyemi is already hard at work on her fourth novel, having completed it just before the release of Children of Anguish and Anarchy. She’s also deeply involved in the ongoing development of the Orïsha film adaptation, balancing weekly meetings, scriptwriting, and her own creative projects.