The board will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the project and contribute to its overall quality.
By Helena Olori
The Witsprouts Project, an organisation committed to promoting African arts and culture, has announced the formation of a five-man Advisory Board for its upcoming Anthologies project.
The strategic move is geared towards shaping the project’s dedication to coaching and showcasing African literary talent while upholding the highest standards of excellence.
“We are honoured to have such a distinguished group of individuals on board as our advisors. Their expertise, passion, and dedication to supporting emerging writers will be instrumental in guiding us towards achieving our mission of providing a platform for discovery and promoting literary talent,” explains Tope Akintayo, who doubles as the Program Director for the Witsprouts Project and Editor of Witsprouts Anthologies.
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The board comprising experts and prominent practitioners in literature, publishing, cultural management, and entrepreneurship includes Basit Jamiu, renowned Literary Curator and Senior Editor at Legit.ng; Ibrahim Babatunde Ibrahim, editor, and acclaimed writer; Sada Malumfashi, Cultural Management Specialist and Director of Open Arts Development Foundation; Tobi Eyinade, Book Publishing and Distribution Expert and Founder of Roving Heights Bookstore; and Tochi Eze, lawyer, editor, and author of This Kind of Trouble (Tiny Reparations, 2025).
The diverse perspectives, insights, and industry networks of each of the board members will not only contribute to the project’s vision, but will also play a pivotal role in the selection process of potential contributors and the overall quality and success of the project.
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The Witsprouts Anthologies project, established to build a world-class platform for writers and storytellers, is one of the literary initiatives of the Witsprouts Project. The platform also provides these talents with a stage to exhibit their work and gain recognition within the literary sphere, and had previously published two projects namely, The Year of Free Birds (2018), and Twenty-20: Stories and Lessons from the Pandemic Year (2020).
Plans are underway to launch a call for submission of original fiction works for consideration from emerging authors for the Witsprouts Anthologies upcoming project and third in the series, Love Grows Stronger in Death.
The anthology is anticipated to be a compelling collection of diverse voices and thought-provoking narratives with the help and direction of the Advisory Board.