Bibi Bakare-Yusuf

**Bibi Bakare-Yusuf** Hon. FRSL (born 1970 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a prominent Nigerian academic, writer, editor, and publisher. She is best known as the co-founder of Cassava Republic Press, one of Africa's leading publishing houses, which is credited with promoting African literature globally.Early Life and Education Bibi Bakare-Yusuf was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1970. She moved to England at the age of 13 for her secondary education. She later pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, attending Goldsmiths College, University of London, where she studied Communication and Anthropology. She went on to earn a Master's degree and a PhD in Gender Studies from the University of Warwick.Career Progression and Publishing Bakare-Yusuf is recognized for her dual career as an academic and a publisher. In 2006, she co-founded Cassava Republic Press in Abuja, Nigeria, with Jeremy Weate. The publishing house was established with the mission to build an infrastructure for literary distribution in Africa and to give voice to a new generation of African writers, particularly emphasizing genre fiction and literary fiction that challenges conventional narratives about the continent. The press is widely acknowledged for its commitment to high-quality production and its global reach.Major Achievements and Honors Beyond her work in publishing, Bakare-Yusuf is also a recognized academic and activist. In November 2016, she launched the non-governmental organization The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERS), which focuses on improving and protecting human rights for minorities in Nigeria and West Africa. Her influence and contributions have earned her several prestigious fellowships and honors, including being selected as a Yale World Fellow, a Desmond Tutu Fellow, and a Frankfurt Book Fair Fellow. In 2019, she was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (Hon. FRSL). In 2020, she received the ASAUK "Distinguished Africanist" award for her exceptional contributions to the field of African studies.Current Status As of her most recent public information, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf continues to serve as a leading figure in African literature and publishing through Cassava Republic Press. She remains active as an academic and a humanitarian, advocating for human rights and promoting literary culture from her base in Lagos, Nigeria.