Nduka Anthony Otiono

Nduka Anthony Otiono is a Nigerian-Canadian professor, writer, poet, journalist, and cultural scholar. He currently serves as the Director of the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. A distinguished voice in African literary and cultural studies, Otiono is the author and co-editor of eight notable books spanning creative writing and academic research. His interdisciplinary work bridges literature, journalism, media studies, and oral traditions.

Early Life and Education

Nduka Otiono was born on April 8, 1964, in Kano, Northern Nigeria, though he hails from Ogwashi-Ukwu in Delta State, located in Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone. Raised in a culturally diverse environment, his early life exposed him to the complexities of Nigerian identity—experiences that would later shape his academic and creative voice.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English from the University of Ibadan in 1987, followed by a Master of Arts in English in 1990 from the same institution. In 2011, he earned his PhD in English from the University of Alberta, Canada.

Early Career in Nigeria

Before venturing into academia, Otiono had a thriving career in journalism. For over fifteen years, he worked in the Nigerian print media, specializing in literary and cultural journalism. He held several editorial and management roles, gaining a reputation as a cultural commentator and thought leader.

He was the founding editor of The Post Express Literary Supplement (PELS), which won the Literary Column of the Year award in 1997 and the ANA Merit Award in 1998. He also served as the National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) from 2001 to 2005.

During this period, he published several creative works, including:

• The Night Hides with a Knife – Winner of the ANA/Spectrum Prize for fiction
• Voices in the Rainbow – A finalist for the ANA/Cadbury Poetry Prize
• Love in a Time of Nightmares – Recipient of the James Patrick Folinsbee Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing

In 2004, Otiono transitioned into academia, becoming an adjunct lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Ibadan.

Academic Career in Canada

Otiono relocated to Canada in 2006, where he pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Alberta. His academic journey expanded significantly after earning his PhD. In 2011, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University in the United States, where he also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor.

In 2014, Otiono joined Carleton University in Ottawa as an Assistant Professor in the Institute of African Studies. His exemplary contributions to teaching and research earned him promotion to Associate Professor in 2020. In 2022, he was appointed Director of the Institute of African Studies and Faculty Advisor for Anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion at Carleton University.

He is also a Fellow of the William Joiner Centre for War and Social Consequences at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Research and Scholarly Focus

Otiono’s research is interdisciplinary and globally relevant. He focuses on popular urban narratives in postcolonial Africa, especially how stories circulate across media platforms such as news, film, music, and social media. His work explores the political and cultural dimensions of oral genres like rumors, urban legends, and everyday “street stories” used by ordinary people to challenge power.

His broader academic interests include:

• Cultural Studies
• Oral Literature and Performance in Africa
• Postcolonial Studies
• Media and Communication Studies
• Globalization and Popular Culture

His work has been published in journals such as:

• Journal of Folklore Research
• African Literature Today
• Journal of African Cinema
• Transfers: Interdisciplinary Journal of Mobility Studies
• Contemporary Literary Criticism
• Wasafiri

He is the co-editor of the essay collection Polyvocal Bob Dylan: Music, Performance, Literature, published by Palgrave Macmillan.

Awards and Honours

Nduka Otiono has received numerous awards, fellowships, and scholarships in recognition of his academic and creative achievements:

• FS Chia Doctoral Scholarship (2006)
• Nominee for the Trudeau Scholarship (2007)
• Professional Development Research Grant (2008)
• Andrew Stewart Memorial Graduate Prize for Research (2008)
• Sarah Nettie Christie Research Award (2009)
• William Rea Scholarship (2009)
• Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship (2009)
• Gordin Kaplan Graduate Student Award (2009)
• James Patrick Folinsbee Memorial Scholarship in Creative Writing (2010)
• Nominee, Governor General’s Gold Medal (2011)
• Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship (2015, 2016)
• Capital Educators’ Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016)
• Early Career Research Excellence Award, Carleton University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (2017)
• Black History Ottawa Community Builder Award (2018)
• Finalist, Archibald Lampman Poetry Prize for DisPlace (2022)
• FASS Research Excellence Award (2023)

Publications

Nduka Otiono has authored or co-edited the following works:

• The Night Hides with a Knife (1995) – Short Stories
• Voices in the Rainbow (1997) – Poems
• We-Men: An Anthology of Men Writing on Women (1998)
• Camouflage: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria (2006)
• Love in a Time of Nightmares (2008) – Poems
• Polyvocal Bob Dylan: Music, Performance, Literature
• Wreaths for a Wayfarer: An Anthology in Honour of Pius Adesanmi
• Oral Literary Performance in Africa: Beyond Text
• DisPlace: The Poetry of Nduka Otiono (2021)

References and Further Reading

• “Ottawa community honours Otiono” – The Nation (Nigeria)
• “African-Writing Online; Poetry; Nduka Otiono” – www.african-writing.com
• University of Alberta Research Archives
• Carleton University Faculty Profile – carleton.ca
• Otiono, Nduka. DisPlace (2021) – Wilfrid Laurier University Press
• Otiono, Nduka. Love in a Time of Nightmares (2008) – Publish America
• Otiono, Nduka. The Night Hides with a Knife (1995) – New Horn Press

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