Izunna Okafor is a Nigerian Novelist, Poet and Journalist from Anambra State. He is also an Editor, Translator, and Igbo Language Activist who is passionate about sustaining and promoting the Igbo Language and culture.
He has a BSc in public administration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and also holds an O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna has authored several books including: 'The Curse of A Widow', 'The Faithful Children', and 'Ajo Enyi,' his debut Igbo novel and the fourth book which was published in 2015. He has also been published in many anthologies, both nationally and internationally.
His books have won awards including the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award in the category of Indigenous Writer of the Year; 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award for Igbo Literature with nominations like the 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of the Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award. At the age of 21, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is the biggest and most prestigious African Youth Award.
His other awards include: Nigeria Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria 2016; Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016); Award of Recognition From Students Union Government, Unizik (2017); Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016; N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012; SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016; Award of Academic Excellence from the National Association of Public Administration Students (2016); Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017; NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017; Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017; Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016.
Others are: Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017; Youth Writer of the Year 2016; NAPAS Essay Competition 2017; Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016; Young Author Award, 2018; Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018; Campus Best Writer 2018/Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018; Best Secretary General of NAPAS (2018); Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019; Staff of the Year (Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation); Recognition Award at the 2020 Anambra Art Exhibition.
In addition to these, Izunna is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with the Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa —which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria —and Sportslight Xtra.
He coordinates the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) and doubles as the founder/initiator of the "Chinua Achebe Literary Festival," an annual literary event he organizes in memory of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, under the umbrella of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an anthology annually published in honour of Nigerian literary star, Late Prof. Achebe, and which attracts entries and submissions from different countries of the world. He is also Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; the ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
In April, 2020, he was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement; and he was also the editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled 'Ripostes of Locked Down Voices', which is an international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
His contribution to the Igbo language moment as well as his passion for creative writing have led him to be featured on a myriad of media platforms across television, radio, and the digital media.
He has a BSc in public administration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and also holds an O.N.D in Public Administration from the same school.
A published and best-selling author, Izunna has authored several books including: 'The Curse of A Widow', 'The Faithful Children', and 'Ajo Enyi,' his debut Igbo novel and the fourth book which was published in 2015. He has also been published in many anthologies, both nationally and internationally.
His books have won awards including the 2015/2016 Nigerian Writers Award in the category of Indigenous Writer of the Year; 2015 Society of Young Nigerian Writers Award for Igbo Literature with nominations like the 2015 Young Nigerian Writer of the Year, and the 2017 Nigerian Writers Award. At the age of 21, Izunna was nominated for The Future Award Africa 2016/African Prize For Education, which is the biggest and most prestigious African Youth Award.
His other awards include: Nigeria Heritage Icon Award/Young Writer of the Year Federal Republic of Nigeria 2016; Merit Award from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (2016); Award of Recognition From Students Union Government, Unizik (2017); Nigerian Writers Award/Young Writer of the Year 2015/2016; N.Y.S.C. Essay Competition 2012; SLAM Hero Youth International Award/Innovative Youth of the Year 2016; Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Youth Writer of the Year 2016; Award of Academic Excellence from the National Association of Public Administration Students (2016); Inspire Award /Outstanding Youth in Academics 2017; NAPAS Academic Icon of the Year 2017; Anambra Campus Award 2017/Campus Writer of the Year 2017; Award of Excellence from the Society of Young Nigerian Writers 2016.
Others are: Anambra Exclusive Youth Choice Award/Outstanding Youth of the Year 2017; Youth Writer of the Year 2016; NAPAS Essay Competition 2017; Starlett Entertainment Award/Creative Writer of the Year 2016; Young Author Award, 2018; Creative Crew Africa/Young Talent of the Year 2018; Campus Best Writer 2018/Campus Best Journalist of the Year 2018; Best Secretary General of NAPAS (2018); Young Achievers Award/Best Young Writer of the Year 2019; Staff of the Year (Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation); Recognition Award at the 2020 Anambra Art Exhibition.
In addition to these, Izunna is also a renowned journalist and columnist currently working with the Anambra Newspaper and Printing Coporation, the publishers of National Light Newspaper, Ka Ọ Dị Taa —which is the only Igbo Language Newspaper in Nigeria —and Sportslight Xtra.
He coordinates the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter) and doubles as the founder/initiator of the "Chinua Achebe Literary Festival," an annual literary event he organizes in memory of Late Prof. Chinua Achebe, under the umbrella of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra.
He is the Editor-in-Chief of Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology which is an anthology annually published in honour of Nigerian literary star, Late Prof. Achebe, and which attracts entries and submissions from different countries of the world. He is also Ambassador of TFA Africa in Nigeria; the ambassador of Read Across Nigeria in Anambra State.
In April, 2020, he was appointed the Project Coordinator, Writers Against COVID-19 Movement; and he was also the editor of the COVID-19 Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled 'Ripostes of Locked Down Voices', which is an international anthology of poems and essays on COVID-19.
His contribution to the Igbo language moment as well as his passion for creative writing have led him to be featured on a myriad of media platforms across television, radio, and the digital media.