by Wilfred Okiche

As the annual #YNaijaPowerList enters its 4^th year, we bring you the most influential young Nigerians under 40 who are tackling the severely underfunded culture space and making something out of nothing. From the most influential author alive to the editor of the imprint that publishes her work locally, culture critics to culture enthusiasts, these young names have taken up the onerous task of preserving our heritage. And they make it all seem like fun too.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The most important- and influential- Nigerian writer working today is also one of the most controversial. Adichie spent much of last year making headlines while promoting her latest novel, Americanah. She was nominated for a Grammy award for her guest appearance on Beyonce’s self-titled album and with her essays and interviews, continues to exert a dominant force on the culture. She will serve as co-curator of this year’s PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature in New York City and will deliver the festival’s closing address

Eghosa Imasuen

With recent buzzed about titles by president Olusegun Obasanjo and Chude Jideonwo joining its impressive canon, Farafina is clearly the most important force in Nigeria’s publishing scene – almost single-handedly reawakening the sector, and then sustaining it through its parent company Kachifo, alongside imprints like Prestige and Kamsi. Also home to the likes of Chimamanda (who needs no surname), and Sefi Atta, Farafina is run, managed and kept at optimum by medical doctor, father, husband and author of Fine Boy.

Joy Isi Bewaji

When it comes to rocking the culture, there is probably nothing that Joy Isi Bewaji cannot do- or hasn’t done. An author (Eko dialogue, What pain may bring), television host (Your view), columnist (This Day, Sabinews.com) and public relations practitioner, her influence spans television, radio and new media. In December 2014, she successfully curated #ThisArtIsEnough, an afternoon of performance, readings, art, spoken word and dance and is always on the lookout for opportunities for creatives to come together and advance their craft.

Lala Akindoju

The modern day queen of stage made a huge play for the big screen when she grabbed her first lead role in none other than Tunde Kelani’s sickle cell advocacy flick, Dazzling Mirage. With her Make it Happen production outfit, Akindoju gathered seasoned vets like Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw and Iretiola Doyle for a star studded revival of Professor Ahmed Yerima’s dramedy, The Wives. She also continues to provide a platform for up and comers to express their creativity with her Open Mic events and serves as a casting director on Ndani’s web series, Gidi up.

Lola Shoneyin

The author of The Secret lives of Baba Segi’s wives may be just beyond the age limit for this series, but her work with the Ake Book festival, an annual celebration of literature, dance and music has had a healthy impact on the creative industry. Writers and their hangers on look forward to Ake season with all the excitement of Hollywood’s awards season. Last year’s event, held in the hometown of the bard, Wole Soyinka- who also happens to be her in-law- attracted writers from home and abroad. Even the politicians; Olusegun Obasanjo and Rotimi Amaechi weren’t left out of the fun. It is impossible to do the work that Soneyin does and not stay forever young

Lydia Sobogun

CEO of Gbagyichild entertainment and convener of Taruwa, a cult favourite hub for art lovers in the purest, undiluted form. Every session of Taruwa offers laughter, music, poetry, drama and this began from the founder’s need to provide a stage for the expression of art. Taruwa’s monthly sessions have also served as the priming pad for superstar artistes like M.I and Bez Idakula. Sobogun’s Gbagyichild also publishes Taruwa magazine and last year held the second season of the Taruwa festival, a showcase of the best in art and culture. Sobogun is fun to hang out but knows how to look after the business end.

Ojoma Ochai

Ochai is the director of the British Council’s Arts and creative industry programme in Nigeria. In this capacity, she develops policies and creates capacity that will showcase Nigeria’s creative, cultural and artistic tendencies. She works on the council’s relationships with states and the federal government to develop a cultural environment that ensures that creative ideas among young people thrive and is a past nominee for The Future Awards prestigious Young Person of the Year prize.

Osagie Alonge

While working as a journalist for Thenetng.com, Osagie Alonge was one of the paper’s brightest stars, assiduously covering the entertainment business and churning out reviews, reports and exclusives. He moved to newly established The Pulse and his energy has not wavered one bit. His new web series #FactsOnly with Osagie Alonge actually attempts to dig underneath the surface and fearlessly reveal what lies beneath, not minding whose ox is gored. If Alonge’s peers had half of his passion, the entertainment industry would be better covered.

Tola Sarumi

Love her or hate her, agree with her often polarising album reviews or embrace them as truth, none can dispute the fact that this music head and occasional ruffler of feathers knows her onions. From her perch as a contributor to Africa’s biggest music site, notjustok.com, Sarumi feels the pulse of the industry people with her music review posts and doesn’t hesitate to let her feelings be known as lucidly as possible.

Wana Udobang

An On air personality and culture connoisseur, Wana Udobang loves to talk. She loves the radio. She loves to write too. There are words that describe her many interests; Broadcaster (Inspiration FM), creative writer (Huffington Post), spoken word poet, blogger, television host (Airtel’s Touching lives). An artiste’s artiste, Ms Udobang’s warm fuzzy tough love relationship with audiences made her the perfect voice to replace host Chaz B on the soar away program Sharing Life Issues and her non-judgemental approach to dealing with callers problems has endeared her to a lot more listeners.