Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o Wa Thiong'o, Writer, Professor, Activist, Abolitionist of the English Department

Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o is one of the most celebrated authors, activists, speakers, and professors of the 21st century. Having written short stories, plays, novels, and articles his writing style is celebrated for its stark and honest portrayal of Neo-colonial Kenya (his home country).

From 1967-1977 he was a professor at the University of Nairobi. One of the most notable projects of his tenure was championing the name change of English Departments in institutions to be called Literature-in order to be more reflective of non-english, and distinctly African writing. On his website https://ngugiwathiongo.com his biography details this distinct decolonising endeavor:

"He, with Taban Lo Liyong and Awuor Anyumba, authored the polemical declaration, On the Abolition of the English Department, setting in motion a continental and global debate and practices that later became the heart of postcolonial theories. “If there is need for a ‘study of the historic continuity of a single culture’, why can’t this be African? Why can’t African literature be at the centre so that we can view other cultures in relationship to it?” (https://ngugiwathiongo.com/about/)

Despite facing jail time, exile, and asylum, Ngũgĩ has remained committed to activism surrounding human rights in Kenya, and supporting theatre and arts that push back against dictatorships.

Ngũgĩ has been tipped to win the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature several times, yet has never been awarded by said institution. It is unquestionable that his extensive repertoire merits an award of such prestige, so the only think left to wonder is why Ngũgĩ has not yet won?

For more information on Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o and the Nobel Prize, listen to his radio interview on npr at https://www.npr.org/2019/03/12/702336806/nobel-of-the-heart-is-the-real-prize-for-author-ngugi-wa-thiong-o

Additionally, more extensive information about his illustrious life and career can be found at: https://ngugiwathiongo.com