Book O’Clock Director Named to Global 30 Under 30 List
By: Mazeed Mukhtar Oyeleye
Uchenna Emelife, Founder and Executive Director of Book O’Clock Literary Foundation, has bagged global accolades, making the 30 Under 30 list of young leaders who are transforming literacy education and advancing equitable access to learning, curated by the International Literacy Association (ILA).
In a press release dated January 13, 2025, the ILA Executive Director, Nicola Wedderburn, lauded the 2025 honourees, drawn from 12 countries across the world, recognising that “these young leaders exemplify literacy as a pathway to opportunity, equity and empowerment.” Profiles of the 2025 honorees are featured in the latest issue of Literacy Today.
Emelife earned this prestigious spot on the backdrop of his multi-initiative approach to literacy, despite many challenges, one of which he captured, saying “in a time when people derive equal entertainment from a reel as they would a book, convincing them to pick up a book becomes challenging because the odds are against you”.
His foundation, Book O’Clock, seeking innovative ways to engage young persons, hosts book drives, writing contests, workshops, writing competitions and social advocacy events whilst also running an online bookstore that promotes African literature. He also co-founded the Sokoto Books and Arts Festival, which, now in its fourth year, has engaged over a thousand young persons in Sokoto and beyond across literary activities, ranging from poetry slams to quizzes, to panel discussions and book chats.
In an interview, he described the recognition as a motivator to double down on what he does towards advancing literacy.
“This is another reminder that the work we do is important,” he acknowledged and went on to emphasize the role of Book O’Clock in platforming Sokoto's talents, to begin with, and changing perceptions about northern Nigeria.
In his words, “I want the world to see us beyond the literacy statistics and media coverage of insecurity. We are a community of brilliant writers, poets, students, and readers contributing to global development.”
Emelife also hinted at future plans, which include to target initiatives at fostering a sustained passion for reading and exploring international collaborations.
