Akpata Magazine is a Nigerian literary magazine published by students of the Department of English and Literature, University of Benin. With thousands of readers for each of its publications, Akpata brings together African voices and global perspectives. It was founded with the goal of showcasing the creative brilliance emanating from universities and beyond.
The “Akpata” is a stringed instrument used in oral storytelling among Edoid tribes. Likewise, Akpata Magazine is a Nigerian literary magazine that provides a platform for every individual to tell their story in a unique, peculiar, and excellent manner.
Every issue features a carefully chosen selection of audacious, moving pieces that defy expectations and stretch the limits of modern writing. Our goal is to provide voices from all around the world, even though we will give special attention to the narratives emerging from Africa. You can get more information on our publications and submission windows here.
MASTHEAD
Chief Editor – Nwodo Divine
Nwodo Chukwu Divine holds a BA in English and Literature from the University of Benin, Nigeria. His work has appeared in Poetrycolumn, Bacopa Literary Review, Good Life Review, Exposed Bone Magazine, African Writers Series, and other publications. He was a finalist in the 2024 Lucky Jefferson Poetry Contest and shortlisted for the Folorunsho Editor’s Prize.
Managing Editor – Ikenna Churchill
Ikenna Churchill is a Nigerian-based culture writer and researcher with over five years+ in writing and editing for various international and national publications, including Injection Magazine, Guardian Nigeria, Fifty Four Magazine, Modaculture Magazine, West Africa Weekly, and others.
Fiction Editor – Evaleni Lawson
Evaleni Lawson is a writer, podcaster, and student journalist whose works span across a spectrum of genres. Growing up, she had always wanted to express herself through literature and took particular interest in building fictional empires with words. Evaleni studies Communication Arts at the University of Uyo. She was Brittle Paper‘s November writer of the month and has been published on Brittle Paper and Fiction Niche. You can find her other works on her website, alteéverve.art.blog
Nonfiction Editor – Lerato Mahlangu
Lerato Mahlangu was born and raised in Witbank, Mpumalanga, but now resides in Springs. She graduated with a Diploma in Media Practices from Boston Media House with a speciality in journalism. She began by publishing her early stories in the Fundza Literacy organisation and has participated in writing competitions such as the SA Writers College with her short story “The Holy Ones Live Forever” and won 3rd place at the Polofields writing competition for her short piece “The Keeper of Legends.”
Poetry Editor – JoeMario Umana
Joemario Umana writes from Maiduguri. He’s a SprinNG fellow, a member of The Writers Manger Network and Poetic Nest. He has a poetry gazelle published by Konya Shamsrumi titled A Flower Is Not The Only Thing That’s Fragile. His poems are published in journals like Brittle Paper, Strange Horizons, Isele Magazine, and elsewhere. He tweets @JoemarioU38615.
Proofreader – Olúrẹ̀mílẹ́kún Ìdòwú
Prose Readers
Amakirisou Kuro Jimmy – Jimmy holds a B.A. in English and Literary Studies from Niger Delta University and has worked with various literary publications as a volunteer reader, including the West Trade Review (Charlotte, USA) and Fahmidan Journal (London, UK). He also serves as a Communications Specialist at STEMHub Foundation (Ontario, Canada). Jimmy is passionate about making a difference and uses his free time for reading, writing, volunteering, and especially listening to his intuition in deep silence.
Rigwell Addison Asiedu – Rigwell is a Ghanaian writer. In 2019, he won the Dei Awuku Writer’s Contest, and was longlisted for the African Writers Awards (poetry category) in 2022. Rigwell’s work has appeared or is forthcoming in Lolwe, African Writer Magazine, Kalahari Review, Akowdee Magazine, Akpata Magazine, Musings Anthology, and KepressNG Anthology. He is an alumnus of the 2024 CANEX Creative Writing Workshop. He is obsessed with water, black cats, and crows. You can reach him via his social media handles: X @asiedu_rigwell, Instagram: rigwellasiedu, and Facebook: Rigwell Addison Asiedu
Mhembeuter Jeremiah Orhemba – Jeremiah is Tiv, Nigerian, and first runner-up for the 2021 Kreative Diadem Flash Fiction Contest. His works have appeared or are forthcoming in FictionWrit, Sovereign: An Anthology of Black Fantasy Fiction, The Shallow Tales Review, Arts Lounge, Eboquills, The Muse Journal, Agapanthus Collective, ARTmosterrific, Fiction Niche, and elsewhere. In 2021, he was an artist-in-residence at ARTmosterrific. He wishes to attain the serenity of water, enjoys watching TK and Carlos kiss, and still loves AURORA and Christina Perri.
Ikechukwu Henry – Henry is an Igbo writer from Nigeria who loves writing that is experimental with styles. He was nominated for the Caine Akon Prize, longlisted for the Sevhage Prize for fiction in 2023, runner-up for Ro-Novella Writing Contest in 2022, and shortlisted for the 2024 PROFWIC Valentine’s Day Writing Contest and the 2024 WUM July Contest. His works have appeared or are forthcoming in Erato Magazine, Lampblack Magazine, Saving The Daylight, Words-Empire magazine, Kahalari Review, The Candid Review, and others. He tweets @Ikechukwuhenry_
Poetry Reader
Emmanuel G G Yamba – Emmanuel is a Liberian writer and poet. He is the winner of the Abu Sherif Poetry Prize 2024, the second-place winner of the Pengician Poetry Chapbook Prize 2024, and was shortlisted for the Poetry Journal Prize 2024. He also emerged as the second runner-up for the LAW/We Care Essay Competition 2023. A graduate of the University of Liberia with a BSc in Biomedical Science, Emmanuel is an alum of the SprinNG Advancement Fellowship. His works have been featured or are forthcoming in Akpata Magazine, Akowdee, SprinNG, Scavenger Lit, Pepper Coast Lit, Kalahari Review, and elsewhere.
Marvellous Mmesomachi Igwe – Marvellous, Swan X, is a budding poet from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He has been published in Isele, Poetry ColumnNND, Poetry Sango Ota, The Dawn Review, Arts Lounge NYC, African Writer Mag, Lion and Lilac, and Ta Adesa, amongst others. He is also the co-winner of the 2024 Folorunsho Editor’s Prize for Poetry and finalist for both the 2024 Kofi Awoonor Poetry Prize and the 2024 Dawn (Review) Prize for Poetry. You can find him daydreaming, listening to his favourite singer, Lana del Rey, or writing about limerence, melancholia, and the mundanities of existence. He tweets @mesomaccius.