He Wrote Trauma in 2021. The World Needed It More in 2026.

Temitayo Adekola is a Nigerian writer whose work circles the things most people would rather not talk about. His novelette Trauma threads together dyslexia, sickle cell anaemia, and abiku mythology to tell the story of a boy misunderstood by the society around him. Originally written in 2021, Adekola has re-released the work in 2026, convinced that the conversations it opens are more urgent now than when he first put it down. In this edition of The Lane, he traces the path from childhood reader to storyteller, and explains why the silent struggles of others became the centre of his creative life.

I realised I wanted to become a writer at a young age, when I found myself drawn to storytelling not just as a reader, but as someone who wanted to create meaning through words. It started with observing people, emotions, and situations around me, and then trying to express them in my own way. The journey has not been straightforward. It has been filled with growth, self-discovery, and moments of doubt. Over time, writing became more than a passion; it became a way for me to understand the world and give voice to experiences that are often left unspoken.

I was shaped by stories that carried both cultural and moral weight. African literature played a strong role, especially works by Wole Soyinka. I was also drawn to dramatic texts and stories that explored human struggle, identity, and consequence. Beyond books, I have always loved films, especially Nigerian epic movies and legal dramas, and movies that make me think deeply and surprise me with unexpected plot twists.