Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki
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Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki (pronounced “UH-ge-ne-chah-we Donald AY-PAY-ke,” also styled Ekpeki Donald Oghenechovwe) is a Nigerian writer and editor who works in the horror and Afrofuturism genres. He began publishing stories in 2018.
For Discon III in 2021, he helped organize an online track on African sf. He’s a member of the African Speculative Fiction Society, Horror Writers Association, BSFA, BFA, and SFWA.
Besides nominations for a slew of awards, the writer has received remarkable levels of support from fandom: In early 2022, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing briefly closed Ekpeki’s account, keeping some $2,000 of his royalties. A fundraiser on his behalf amassed $5,568 in one day. After he was nominated for two Hugos in 2022, an online fan fund, Send Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki to Worldcon, raised $7,460 in just one day to bring him to Chicon 8.
When he was denied a visa[1] to enable him to attend the Worldcon, fans launched a letter-writing campaign and contacted their legislators and the U.S. Consul General in Lagos. With the intervention of two United States senators, Ekpeki received a visa.
On the other hand, he said he had received death threats aimed at keeping him from attending Chicon.
Ekpeki was born in Ughellii, Delta State, Nigeria. He studied Law at the University of Lagos and later attended law school there.
- Entry in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction.
- Ekpeki articles on File 770.
- “WorldCon-bound African futurism star Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki U.S visa approved after struggle,” This is Africa, August 31, 2022.
- “O2 Arena,” story by Ekpeki, Galaxy's Edge, 2021.
- Website.
Awards, Honors and GoHships:
- 2019 — Nommo Award
- 2020 — Otherwise Award, 2020 HWA diversity grant
- 2021 — Nommo Award, BSFA grant to attend virtual Discon III
- 2022 — Nebula Award, CAN*CON 2022 (virtual GoH)
- 2023 – ICFA 44
- Nominations for Hugo Awards, Locus Award, World Fantasy Award, Sturgeon Award, BSFA Award and This is Horror Award
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- ↑ The Department of State at first told Ekpeki that he didn’t show he had strong enough ties to his home to leave the U.S. if he were to be permitted entry.
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