Meet Nigerian named US national youth poet laureate

Daniel Umemezie, a Nigerian-American poet, has been chosen as the 2026-2027 U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, making him the 10th laureate and the second Nigerian-American to receive the title. The U.S. Mission Nigeria announced the selection on Friday, praising Umemezie as a gifted voice who explores heritage, identity, and the complexities of the Nigerian-American experience in his poetry.

Umemezie follows in the footsteps of Salome Agbaroji, who was the first Nigerian-American to be named U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate in 2023. The title aims to recognize outstanding young poets in the United States and provide a platform for their work to reach wider audiences. Umemezie's poetry reflects the richness and complexity of his experiences, delving into questions of culture and identity as he navigates life between different worlds.

Born to Nigerian parents in Nigeria, Umemezie developed a love for art, music, reading, and writing from an early age. After moving to the United States with his family at the age of 13, his experiences of cultural differences further influenced his poetry. He will travel across the U.S. for readings and workshops as national youth poet laureate and hopes to promote social justice, political participation, and self-exploration through his work.