So, you are a mother of two. Did your children have anything to do with your book, Eno’s Story?
Yes, my first son. He’s thirteen years old; he has always read everything I’ve written. He is my greatest critic. So, yes, I can say they have something to do with it.
When did you start writing?
Since I can string words together, that’s how long I’ve been writing. Since I went to school and was taught ABC. When I was young I used to do books. I will write and sew the pages together and say to my cousins, oya, come and buy my book. And they would say, are you stupid? (Laughs).
What happened to all those ‘books’ you wrote back then?
Actually, it’s funny now. I don’t know. Perhaps, my mum kept them. My mum keeps stuff you won’t believe. I will go home and ask her, I’m sure she has some.
Do you have any plans for those early writings?
Not really. Because I was too young, I didn’t know much about the world. I am better now as a writer.
Eno’s Story, what is it about?
Eno is a representative of the Nigerian child. The Nigerian child has been abused. Children are the vulnerable group that are not protected by the law. Even if they are protected, is it the policeman on the street that you will go and meet and say, oya, someone is beating up my child, come and do something about it? So Eno’s story is about abused children and it’s also about love – the love of parents, how far it goes. It is also a vindication of Nigerian men, they have always been seen as bad fathers but Nigerian men are actually fantastic fathers. So the story is about this girl who has been accused of being a witch by her uncle, who actually believes she is a witch. And it’s sad because if she has someone to protect her [things might be different] because when her father was around, he was able to stand up to the uncle. But when the father went missing, there was no one to protect her, so she was driven out of her home, abused by a pastor and left to roam the street. It is the story of the Nigerian street child.
There have been lots of issues and debates about child witches. Did that inspire your story?
Actually, yes. I’ve read a lot of books people have written about Nigeria, about Africa and African children. When the issue of child witches came up and I wanted to write my story, I thought it was apt to write about it because I was asked if I wanted to write the story and I said yes. I wanted to write about an abused child who still has spirit because there have always been stories of abused children begging and feeling very sorry for themselves.
Since your nomination for the NLNG Prize, what has the reaction been like?
Mixed feelings, really. I know it’s going to generate a lot of publicity and a lot of disappointment, if I don’t win the prize. I am elated because it means publicity for my books and because I am a private person, I don’t like all the paparazzi stuff and I will be really, really disappointed if I don’t win.
It’s important for you to win the prize.
It’s not a life or death thing but the money is good. It will be nice for me to win it. But I’m just like every other human being in the world who thinks my book is the best in the world and it should win the prize like the other two nominees.
Are you intimidated by the quality of the competition?
I’m not easily intimidated (Laughs) but Chinyere [Obi-Obasi], men, is a juggernaut. That woman is a determined woman and I have always said it that I admire her, I admire her guts. She is a driven woman. But no, I am not intimidated by them. They are more my friends than anything and we’ve grown closer since the shortlist. I know Mai Nasara [Adeleke Adeyemi]. He’s a very good friend of mine but Chinyere, she’s a soldier. I doff my hat for her (Laughs).
What has been the reaction since you were shortlisted?
Well, a lot more people are talking to me now (Laughs) my cousin who I’ve been begging for her number for years finally called and said yes, now I want to give you my phone number. But basically it’s just been the same because my friends have always believed in me, my mom has always believed in me and my brother too. Nobody was surprised when they saw the book on the list. So it hasn’t been anything life changing except for that my cousin (Laughs) and then maybe one or two friends who will suddenly turn up out of the blues and say oh, we just thought we should stop by and say hi.
Have there been other unwanted guests turning up?
Yes, armed robbers. I just woke up around three am and heard sounds. And I have a next door neighbour who is fond of coming home around that time and he and his wife are always yelling at each other across the gate so I thought they were up to it again. But I thought I heard someone fiddling with my door downstairs and I just went and switched off the lights because the power had just come back on. In the morning when I went downstairs I discovered that the first two doors leading to my flat had been broken. It was quite sobering. It made me paranoid about my children, are we safe any longer? What if someone decides to go and kidnap my child for ransom thinking I’ve won some money? I’ve not won the money and already some people are thinking I have a hundred thousand dollars under my bed that they could come and pick. If I am in the newspaper, it doesn’t mean I am rich.
A very private question now; what will you do with all that money if you win it?
Spend it. (Laughs)
After this book, what next?
We are working on my six books. One is about a pair of twins and they have a friend who is a magical creature. So I am going to get into more trouble with magical creatures because already some people are saying I am writing about witches and supporting them (Laugh). I am a witch in a way because I am good at what I do.
Do you only write children literature?
I am surprised when people ask me this question because there is a section of people who read my works and they understand my language and they are children. A Ghanaian read my book and reviewed it on his site and he said my book is not for children. But really, I write for children because I am a child myself (Laughs).
How have you been dealing with the fallout from being shortlisted with readings all over the country?
Actually, I’ve not let it get to my head. I’m still the same old Ayo. I don’t see it as a big deal. It could happen to anyone. It just happened to me, and I haven’t won yet.
Are you optimistic you are going to win?
Yes, I am. I’m going to win (Laughs).
There is a renewed vibrancy in the literary world in Nigeria. What do you think is behind this?
I think Facebook is behind it. It has brought writers together and given them the opportunity to critique each other and realise that writers need each other. It’s not a matter of being in competition with others but working together. People like Chimamanda [Adichie] have demonstrated that you can do anything if you believe, writers like Lola [Shoneyin], I want to be like Lola when I grow up (laughs). She is not sitting down and complaining. She was in England but she came back and she is doing something. Lola Shoneyin should be canonised (Laughs).
