Acknowledgements

So many people helped in creating this book. I owe a parti-cular debt of gratitude to the generosity and assistance of all the people I met in Nigeria, who gave their time, shared their stories and made me feel so welcome. A special thank you to Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Mark Amaza, Olumide Areo, Kingsley Atang, Yetunde Bakare, Omobolanle Banwo, Odionye Confidence, Ndeye Diagne, Priscilla Eke, Michael Elégbèdé, Odunayo Eweniyi, Ibrahim Faruk, Olumide Idowu, Uyaiedu Ipke-Etim, Tonye Isokariari, Busola Johnson and family, Jude Feranmi, Isaac Matui, Okey Monube, Magnum Muyiwa, Hassan Nurudeen, John Obidi, Rinu Oduala, S. I. Ohumu, Tamara Ojeaga, Davies Okeowo, Chekwube Okonkwo, Fortunes Paul Okoronkwo, Baba Oladeji, Sanusi Olaniyan, Ìfénlá Oligbinde, Chinemerem Onuorah, Osinachi, Funmi Oyatogun, Oyindamola Shoola, Olamide Udoma-Ejorh, Princess Obiajulu Ugwu and Uzor.

A big thank you to all at the Nine Dots Prize for enabling me to follow my passion on this once in a lifetime project and especially to Jane Tinkler, an oasis of calm and a font of good advice. Thanks to Caitlin, James and all at Riot Communications and to everyone at Cambridge University Press, especially Chris Harrison, who always poses interesting questions, also loves Nigeria and is a great walking companion. I am grateful to Maxine Sibihwana for her thoughtful read of and helpful comments on a draft of this book and to Julene Knox for a careful, in-depth edit.

Wolfson College accommodated me in fine style during my time working at the University of Cambridge and the University’s Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, fondly known as CRASSH, and especially Stephen, Mette and Michelle, offered me a warm welcome, practical support and an inspiring peek into life at Cambridge. My time in Cambridge was fun as well as productive and that’s down to the other research fellows at CRASSH and Wolfson College – thank you for all your moral support, and insightful inputs.

And last but far from least, I want to extend a huge thank you to Kassie Larkins, without whom I would not have found the self-belief to enter the Nine Dots Prize and to Daniel and Diogo for their support, encouragement, ideas and the many glasses of wine they shared with me whenever I was searching for inspiration or in need of reassurance. Thank you all!