Nigerian Poet Wendy Okeke Shares Path to Self-Discovery Through Poetry

Fadekemi Ajakaiye 

For Nigerian poet Wendy Okeke, writing serves as more than just a craft; it is her personal sanctuary, a means of self-discovery, and a connection to the world around her. In a candid conversation with Vanguard, she shares insights about her journey, the transformative nature of words, and the deeply personal experiences that have influenced her poetry.

“My relationship with poetry began when I was eight,” she recalls. “It was during a literature class in boarding school. I was amazed by how much meaning could be conveyed through such simple, elegant words. It felt like an effortless way to express what I wanted to say but couldn’t articulate in conversation.”

Growing up in a family that prioritised education and communication, Wendy’s love for writing was cultivated from an early age. Her mother, a strong advocate for proper expression, encouraged Wendy and her siblings to write letters—a practice that unknowingly refined her skills. “My mom would focus on correcting my grammar and punctuation rather than addressing the content,” she chuckles. “At the time, I found it frustrating, but looking back, she was helping me become a better writer.”

Although she had a natural affinity for writing, Wendy’s journey to becoming a poet was not direct. Like many young Nigerians, she encountered societal and familial pressures that nudged her toward more traditional career paths. Initially, she pursued the sciences but later transitioned to Political Science and Public Administration at just 14 years old.

“Even then, poetry was always with me,” she reflects. “University was challenging—I was away from home, faced immense pressure, and lost close friends. Writing became my outlet for processing everything. I carried a large notebook with me everywhere and aimed to write daily. It wasn’t about aspiring to be a poet; it was about survival.”

The loss of her father in 2016 was a defining moment that deepened her relationship with poetry. “I became an observer of my own pain,” she tells Vanguard. “I watched my family grieve, and in that experience, I started to write differently. Grief changes you—it makes you see the world through a different lens.”

Sharing her poetry publicly for the first time was both terrifying and liberating. “I never wrote for an audience, but when I finally put my work out there, I was overwhelmed by the response,” she says. “People sent me messages saying they saw themselves in my poems. It wasn’t about validation—it was about creating a space where people could feel seen and understood.”

In 2019, Wendy took poetry beyond the page, hosting Purge and Penance, a spoken-word event in Ikoyi, Lagos. “I wanted to create a space where people could share their stories—whether they considered themselves poets or not,” she says. “Some audience members who had never performed before stood up and spoke. It was about release and renewal.” The event’s success reaffirmed her belief in poetry’s ability to heal and connect.

Now, Wendy is focused on growing as a poet and using her voice to inspire others. She dreams of publishing poetry collections and collaborating with other creatives to elevate spoken-word poetry in Nigeria. “Poetry isn’t just about words—it’s about experiences that challenge people to see the world differently,” she says.

Looking ahead, she hopes to make poetry more accessible to young people, particularly those who don’t yet see its relevance in their lives. “Poetry educates, connects, and keeps history alive,” she explains. “It brings you face-to-face with experiences and perspectives you might never have encountered otherwise.”

Through her journey, Wendy Okeke reminds us that poetry is more than just art—it is a powerful tool for self-discovery, healing, and human connection. Whether through the pages of a book, a spoken-word performance, or a quiet moment of reflection, poetry can bring us closer to ourselves and each other.