Wana Udobang Nigerian Poet Selected for the Prestigious International Writing Program

Wana Udobang Nigerian Poet Selected for the Prestigious International Writing Program

Wana Udobang, a Nigeria based freelance journalist, poet, writer and filmmaker has been selected for a prestigious international writing program – the 54th International Writing Program (IWP) Fall Residency at the University of Iowa, courtesy of the United States Department of State.

Founded in 1967 by Paul Engle and Hualing Nieh Engle, the International Writing Program was the first writer’s residency to reach out across national borders and remains unique in the world of creative writing. Established writers from across the globe gather every fall to spend three months in Iowa City. They would write, research, give readings, lecture and become a part of the lively literary community on and off-campus. Over the years, the IWP has hosted more than 1,500 writers from 150 countries. The IWP has come to be known as the United Nations of Writers.

United States Consul General Claire Pierangelo congratulated the Nigerian writer on her acceptance into the residency program.

“This is an extremely competitive program and we are proud to have you represent Nigeria. Your accomplishments as a poet and writer are well-known and we hope this is an opportunity for you to take time to focus on your writing, connect with well-established writers from around the globe, learn more about the United States, and contribute to literature courses both at the University of Iowa and across the country.” she said.

Wana Udobang popularly known as Wana Wana, a name she got while working as a radio presenter and producer at 92.3 Inspiration FM in Lagos, Nigeria for over six years. She is an ambassador for the Mirabel center in Lagos. She also founded the 1k4cancer initiative which to date has raised over three million Naira to assist women from low-income families with their cancer treatment.

Wana Udobang is the producer of the documentary “Sensitive Skin” a documentary film about Psoriasis, a skin condition. She is a public speaker in the areas of gender advocacy, youth mentorship and is a well sought-after moderator in the creative and culture space. She writes for Aljazeera Online, Guardian UK NEXT, BellaNaija and the Huffington Post as a freelance writer.

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Over the course of 11 weeks, Udobang will join 29 other accomplished writers from across the globe in the world’s oldest and largest multinational writing residency. Wana and the other participants will give readings and lectures that reflect their work and cultures, collaborate with artists from other genres and art forms, and travel to interact with audiences and literary communities across the United States.