Onyeka Nwelue’s Personal Information
| Full Name | Onyekachukwu George Nwelue |
| Date of Birth | 31 January 1988 |
| State of Origin | Imo State, Nigeria |
| Birthplace | Ezeoke Nsu, Imo State, Nigeria |
| Parents | – Father: Chukwuemeka Samuel Nwelue – Mother: Catherine Ona Nwelue |
| Occupation | Novelist, Filmmaker, Musician |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
Early Life And Family
Onyeka Nwelue, born on January 31, 1988, in Ezeoke Nsu, Imo State, Nigeria, came from a family with notable connections. His father, Chukwuemeka Samuel Nwelue, was involved in local politics, while his mother, Catherine Ona Nwelue, was a social scientist. Moreover, his aunt, Professor Leslye Obiora, held the esteemed position of Nigeria’s former Minister of Mines and Steel.
Onyeka Nwelue’s Career And Achievements
Prolific Writing Career with Self-Publishing Ventures
Nwelue’s literary journey has been marked by prolific output, boasting 22 books in his bibliography. Of particular note is the fact that the majority of these works were either self-published or published through his own companies. His contributions to literature include novels like “The Beginning of Everything Colourful,” “The Lagos Cuban Jazz Club,” “The Strangers of Braamfontein,” and “An Angel on the Piano.” His writing prowess earned him recognition from the Association of Nigerian Authors, receiving nominations in both fiction and poetry categories.
Filmmaking
Nwelue expanded his creative horizons by venturing into filmmaking. His documentary, “House of Nwapa,” received critical acclaim and was shortlisted in the Best Documentary category at the 2017 Africa Movie Academy Awards. In the following year, he adapted his novella, “Island of Happiness,” into an Igbo film titled “Agwaetiti Obiụtọ.” This adaptation garnered nominations in the Best First Feature Film and Best Film in an African Language categories at the 2018 Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Personal Life
Details about Onyeka Nwelue’s personal life are not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. His career and creative endeavors appear to have been a significant focus of his public identity.
Legacy And Impact
While Nwelue’s career has been marked by both achievements and controversies, his contributions to literature and filmmaking have left an indelible mark on the Nigerian creative landscape. His self-publishing ventures and extensive writing have inspired emerging authors. His filmmaking endeavors have explored the rich tapestry of African storytelling.
Notable Works Or Projects
- “The Beginning of Everything Colourful”: Nominated for the Association of Nigerian Authors Annual Fiction Prize.
- “The Lagos Cuban Jazz Club”: Nominated for the Association of Nigerian Authors Annual Poetry Prize.
- “House of Nwapa”: Acclaimed documentary, shortlisted at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
- “Agwaetiti Obiụtọ”: Igbo film adaptation of “Island of Happiness,” receiving nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
Onyeka Nwelue’s Controversies
Academic Visitorship and Misuse of University Affiliations
In 2021, Onyeka Nwelue was granted the title of Academic Visitor at the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford. During his tenure, he falsely represented himself as a professor at both Oxford and the University of Cambridge, even using their logos for commercial events. These actions led to investigations by both universities, resulting in Nwelue’s termination due to “persistent unacceptable breaches of its terms.” It was clarified that Academic Visitorship was not a form of employment, and Nwelue was not compensated nor had responsibilities to the universities. Nwelue has issued an apology and appealed his termination to Irene Tracey, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
James Currey Fellowship
Nwelue initiated a James Currey Fellowship, claiming it was established in collaboration with the University of Oxford to sponsor African authors’ attendance at both Oxford and Cambridge. However, the university denied any involvement with the fellowship. Subsequently, reports suggested that the fellowship primarily benefited Nwelue’s financial associates. The fellowship’s recipients included individuals who had close ties with Nwelue through book deals and literary agency collaborations.
Controversial Views
During his time at Oxford, Nwelue posted offensive content on Twitter, including racist, classist, and misogynist remarks. He apologized for these tweets, describing them as a “social experiment” to gather feedback for an upcoming book. However, the tweets drew significant criticism for their offensive nature.
Allegations of Mocking Sexual Harassment
In January 2023, Onyeka Nwelue was accused of mocking the prevalence of sexual harassment in journalistic circles during a book launch organized by Nigerian blogger David Hundeyin. Allegedly, both Nwelue and Hundeyin made remarks suggesting that women had “slept their way to the top,” which led to backlash from students present at the event.
