Femi Ibirogba: Bursting Journalistic Bubbles Through Fiction

Femi Ibirogba has worked at The Guardian Nigeria newspaper as the head of Agro-Economy for years. But one day, he took a bold step that changed his life viewpoint and took his writing skills to another level.

In this week’s Book People, eelive.ng spotlights Femi Ibirogba, a journalist with a creative mind, who believes writing is his divine calling.

Ibirogba was born and had his early school education in Bamikemo, Ondo State. He attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; there, he studied Language Arts and Education and bagged a master’s in Applied Linguistics (Language Arts). He then moved on to the Pan-Atlantic University for Advanced Writing Skills. These skills would help him further his career as a journalist. 

Following the Story

Speaking to eelive.ng’s Chidirim Ndeche, he said, “I discovered early I have a flair for writing and a passion for Literature. I explored this by joining the Association of Nigerian Authors and another media unit called The Counsellor, becoming its Managing Editor.”

Although he initially set out to study Law, with providence and his acquired skill set, journalism became his career path. His first step down this path saw him as a senior reporter at the Nigerian Tribune where he worked for about 10 years. He later moved to The Guardian where he has worked for almost three years, covering Agro-Economy stories.

Equipped with prior writing experience, Ibirogba was prepared for the journey ahead. He had loved literary works from his early secondary school days. He had a Literature teacher who stoked his interest and challenged his capacity to learn under difficult situations. As this interest in Literature grew, so did his writing skills. Over time, writing came easily to him. Then he expanded his writing skills from fiction and journalism to poetry.

The poet believes that his experience studying English Grammar and Literature in OAU “sharpened the mental faculty, and the passion to write became greater”. And so, he wrote on socio-political happenings and fiction consolidated while studying as an undergraduate. “I was a campus journalist. I also joined some writing associations [where] we discussed reading and writing literary work.”

While in the university, as a sophomore, Ibirogba started writing his first book. “I would stay back during holidays and write. The campus happenings and the situation of the country in 1999, 2000 and the first decade of the 21st Century were interesting raw materials for my novel.”

And The Bubble Burst

Upon his graduation, in 2004, his first book was ready and accepted for publication by Spectrum Books in Oyo State. But due to financial constraints, it was put on hold. The firm also refused to publish his book based on royalties because it wasn’t an academic book, and Nigerians don’t read novels.

Years went by before he finally published the book. By that time, he had to review and restructure it to reflect the present day’s realities while retaining the plot, characters and basic elements of the time.

To the fiction author, politics and other aspects of life are inseparable. “Political and economic decisions affect everyone.” His novel shows this too. It is set in a university environment where most students are politically conscious and active. A reflection of Nigeria’s socio-political setting, it speaks on issues ranging from governance to systemic failures.

Titled The Bubble Burst, Ibirogba’s book reflects undergraduates’ quest for academic success in hostile campus environments. “It is a metaphor for several unbridled vices — in Nigeria and on its campuses — which deteriorate as a result of governance failure, police brutality, lawlessness, individual negligence, corporate corruption, greed, hypocrisy, lies, and many more. There are so many ills, and they are let loose, unchecked. They are already bursting — unemployment, terrorism, corruption, nepotism, banditry, kidnapping, poverty and ethnic agitations.”

The Bubble Burst illustrates the story of Janet Kuti, who, despite societal odds and the challenges she faces on campus, transitions from grass to grace. But her success makes her heady, and she abandons her virtues for vices that land her in difficult situations. 

The epidemics Nigeria faces

Satisfied with the audience’s reception of his book, the author says it teaches readers a valuable lesson. “Youths should be positive, avoid negative behaviour, and stand up for their rights and against societal ills. Also, there is a way forward for Nigeria amid the current crises.”

Even though the Covid-19 pandemic helped to foster the global reading and learning culture, Ibirogba feels Nigerian citizens need better, more affordable access to internet services. “The government should invest more in educational technologies in public schools. They have tried so far, but they [can] do better. Let them improve the deplorable state of [Nigeria’s] public primary and secondary schools. They are a disgrace to the country.”

He also pointed out the need for an improved learning environment for pupils and teachers. “Only a few model public schools are in good shape in [western states]. Most public schools [need] decent classrooms, furniture, [appropriate] instructional materials and qualified teachers. If these are emplaced, and teachers’ salaries are paid promptly, things will begin to function. At the tertiary institutions of learning, the same thing applies.”

On Journalism in Nigeria

Being a journalist or full-time writer in Nigeria is not an easy feat. With over 15 years spent being a journalist, Ibirogba is in a good position to speak on this. He says, “The media industry is not well remunerated, but passion and quest for excellence of writers do bring success. Journalism and writing are callings. If you are called, and you are convinced, you will love and enjoy it.”

In this field, Ibirogba has learnt many lessons. “I have learnt how to learn, how to investigate issues and contents. Writers are great instruments of positive changes if we stand for the truth. I have learnt how to be patient, how to rationalise resources and how to plan projects.

To aspiring and young journalists and writers, Ibirogba advises them to master the business of writing. “Be excellent, and success will trail you no matter how difficult the terrain might be. Read widely. Master the instrument of your profession and equip yourself with writing skills and styles. If you focus on developing yourself and writing good, development and issue-based writings, people will respect you, success will trail you and the sky is your starting point.”

The journalist, who has several unpublished poems, is working on another fiction which will be out in about a year.