Alhassan Yusuf’s Notes of aLadin: A Diary of Struggles and Survival in Modern Nigeria

When Nigerian writer Alhassan Yusuf decided to put pen to paper, he didn’t set out to write the next great African novel. Instead, he chose something more intimate, more daring—a diary. The result is Notes of aLadin, an account of life as an unemployed Nigerian youth trying to navigate survival, identity, and ambition in a country that often seems to stifle its young people.

Published on June 30, 2025, Notes of aLadin has quickly drawn attention for its unconventional style. Written entirely in a day-by-day journal format, the book chronicles the protagonist’s struggles to find work, his comedic observations about everyday life, and his determination to rise above a system that repeatedly disappoints him. Each entry reads like a personal confession—unguarded, unfiltered, and brimming with both wit and despair.

At the heart of the story is aLadin, an unemployed graduate who spends his days juggling hope and frustration. He is by turns cynical and optimistic, resigned and rebellious, hungry yet hungry for more than food. His diary reveals the many faces of Nigerian youth: resilient, restless, humorous in the face of hardship, and endlessly inventive.

Yusuf’s choice of style is deliberate. By framing the novel as a diary, he strips away the polished veneer of traditional storytelling and instead captures life as it truly unfolds—messy, unpredictable, and often absurd. “I wanted to write something that feels real,” Yusuf says. “Our lives don’t happen in neat chapters with clean endings. They happen in days, with struggles and small wins that only make sense when you look back.”

This realism resonates deeply with readers, many of whom see themselves in aLadin. The struggles he faces—long queues at job interviews, unanswered applications, the pressure from family and society, and the temptation to give up—mirror the reality of millions of young Nigerians today. Unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest challenges, with recent statistics showing that nearly one in three young people are out of work.

Yet, Notes of aLadin is not a book of despair. Instead, it brims with resilience and humor. aLadin laughs at his misfortunes, mocks his circumstances, and never quite loses the spark of possibility. In one moment, he is lamenting over hunger; in the next, he is dreaming of building an empire from nothing. This balance of comedy and struggle is part of what makes the book so compelling.

The climax of aLadin’s story—his decision to start a small restaurant business—is less about triumph and more about transformation. It is a statement on the creativity and adaptability of Nigerian youth, who continue to carve out opportunities despite systemic obstacles. In this sense, the book is both literature and social commentary, offering insight into the hustle culture that has become the backbone of survival in Nigeria.

Critics and early readers have praised Yusuf’s debut for its originality and courage. Some describe it as a “mirror of the times,” while others hail it as a cultural document that future generations will turn to for a glimpse of what it meant to be young in 21st-century Nigeria.

Yusuf, who has a background in theatre arts and marketing communications, is no stranger to storytelling. With over a decade of experience in content creation, he brings both artistry and authenticity to his writing. Notes of aLadin is his first book, but it reads with the confidence of a writer who has long been preparing for this moment.

Available on platforms such as Selar and Lulu, the book is already gaining traction among readers in Nigeria and abroad. As word spreads, it is set to become one of the defining works of contemporary Nigerian literature—a book that speaks not just to Nigerians, but to young people everywhere who are navigating uncertain futures.

Ultimately, Notes of aLadin is more than just a book. It is a voice for a generation, a testimony of struggle, and a celebration of the unbreakable spirit of youth.