Michael Afenfia
Michael Afenfia | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Writing career | |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Notable works | The Mechanics of Yenagoa and Leave My Bones in Saskatoon |
Michael Afenfia is a Nigerian novelist. He is the author of The Mechanics of Yenagoa and Leave My Bones in Saskatoon. His works focus on themes such as life in the, Niger Delta and experiences of migration.[1][2][3][4]
Early life and education
Afenfia was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and grew up partly in Port Harcourt and Lagos.[5] He studied Law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.[6]
Career
Afenfia worked in banking, construction, real estate and communications before transitioning into public service. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Speechwriter to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State and was a member of the Bayelsa State Literary Board.[7] Between 2014 and 2016, he served as Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State Chapter.[8]
In the summer of 2019, Afenfia relocated to Saskatchewan, Canada. He works as Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement Integration Agencies (SAISIA) and serves on multiple boards including Word on the Street Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan's Biomedical Research Ethics Board, and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan.[9]
Works
Afenfia has authored the following novels:
- When the Moon Caught Fire (2010)
- A Street Called Lonely (2011)
- Don't Die on Wednesday (2014)
- Paxoid and the Battle for the Blue Medallion (2017), co-authored with his son Biboye
- The Mechanics of Yenagoa (2020)
- Rain Can Never Know (2021)
- Leave My Bones in Saskatoon (2023)[10]
He has also written a biography of Gboribiogha John Jonah, the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.[11]
References
- ↑ Kan, Toni (2020-08-09). ""Of entanglements and a life of constant trouble": a review of The Mechanics of Yenagoa - Sylva Nze Ifedigbo". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ↑ Okonoboh, Rita (2021-07-14). "To the repairer in us: A review of Michael Afenfia's 'The Mechanics of Yenagoa'". TheCable. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ↑ "My journey birthing 'The Mechanics of Yenagoa' – Michael Afenfia". Daily Trust. 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ↑ Afenfia, Michael (2023-10-15). "The book Michael Afenfia thinks you should read before moving to a new country". The Republic. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
- ↑ "Author of the Week Michael Afenfia". Literary Everything. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Conversations with Michael Afenfia". The Afro Reader. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Michael Afenfia African Storyteller". African International Documentary Festival Foundation. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Michael Afenfia". Writers Project of Ghana. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Michael Afenfia African Storyteller". African International Documentary Festival Foundation. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Michael Afenfia". Michael Afenfia Official Website. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- ↑ "Michael Afenfia". Writers Project of Ghana. Retrieved 2026-07-03.