Lola Shoneyin

**Lola Shoneyin** Titilola Atinuke Alexandrah Shoneyin was born on 26 February 1974 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. She is an acclaimed Nigerian author, poet, and cultural curator recognized for her sharp observations on Nigerian society, particularly her exploration of polygamy and women’s roles. Shoneyin is the youngest of six children and the only daughter of Chief Tinuoye Shoneyin and Mrs. Yetunde Shoneyin (née Okupe), who are Remo indigenes from Ogun State. Her childhood, including the family history of her maternal grandfather, Abraham Olayinka Okupe (a traditional ruler who had five wives), significantly influenced her writing, notably her debut novel. Shoneyin began her education in Nigeria before moving to England. She later returned to Nigeria and obtained a teaching degree from London Metropolitan University in 2005. Her literary career began with poetry, publishing her first volume, *So All the Time I was Sitting on an Egg*, in 1998, followed by *Song of a Riverbird* (2002). Her foray into novels began around 2000, culminating in her breakthrough work. Her career progression is marked by her literary output and her efforts to promote African literature. Her major novel, *The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives* (2010), achieved widespread international recognition. It was longlisted for the 2011 Orange Prize and won the 2011 PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award and two Association of Nigerian Authors Awards. The novel has been translated into seven languages. In addition to her novel and poetry collections, Shoneyin has also written children’s books. Beyond writing, Shoneyin is a significant figure in Nigeria’s cultural scene. She co-founded Infusion, a popular monthly gathering for music, art, and culture in Abuja. Currently, she lives in Lagos, Nigeria, where she is the founder and director of the annual Aké Arts and Book Festival, one of West Africa's most prominent literary and arts events. She also runs the publishing imprint and bookshop Ouida Books. In recognition of her contributions to literature, she was named African Literary Person of the Year by *Brittle Paper* in 2017. Shoneyin served as a judge for the prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing in 2018. She is married to medical doctor Olaokun Soyinka, the son of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and they have four children (two boys and two girls).