About Nkọwa – Stories
Shouldn't Cost a Fortune
Hi, I'm Esther.
I'm a Nigerian who loves books – but
I'm tired of how expensive they are. And I know I'm not alone.
I created Nkọwa because I believe that stories shouldn't cost a
fortune.
What Does "Nkọwa"
Mean?
Nkọwa (pronounced n-koh-wah) is an Igbo word that means "explanation" or "story."
It's the perfect name for what we do
here:
·
We explain Nigerian
literature – breaking down complex books, themes, and author legacies so
everyone can understand.
·
We explain the
reading crisis in Nigeria – why books are expensive, why libraries are dying,
and what we can do about it.
·
We tell
stories – about authors, about readers, and about the books that
define our culture.
Why This Blog Exists
I started Nkọwa for three reasons.
1. Books Are Too
Expensive in Nigeria
The average Nigerian novel costs
between ₦5,000 and ₦15,000. For a student or young professional, that's often a
week's worth of food or transport.
How can anyone build a reading culture
when a single book costs more than a daily wage?
I wanted to create a space that:
·
Exposes the real reasons behind high book
prices.
·
Provides
solutions – where
to find cheap books, how to build a library on a budget, and which books are
worth your money.
·
Builds
a community of
readers who refuse to be priced out of knowledge.
2. Nigerian Literature
Deserves Better Attention
We have some of the greatest writers in
the world – Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, Ayòbámi Adébáyò,
Chigozie Obioma, and so many more.
But too often, these authors are only
read in school. Or they're overlooked for foreign books. Or people don't know
where to start.
At Nkọwa, we:
·
Break
down books so you
know what to read and why.
·
Spotlight authors – both living legends and
veteran voices.
·
Connect the dots between literature and
our daily lives as Nigerians.
3. Reading Culture
Needs a Revival
Nigeria has one of the lowest reading
rates in the world. Only 56% of adults read at least one book annually. And 45
million children aged 7–14 cannot read a simple sentence.
That's not because we're not
intelligent. It's because:
·
Our
school curriculum kills pleasure reading.
·
Public
libraries are practically non-existent.
·
Books
are priced out of reach.
This blog is my small contribution to
reversing that trend.
What We Write About
Nkọwa covers 6 core categories,
all focused on Nigerian reading culture and literature:
Everything we publish is free
to read, because we believe knowledge shouldn't be locked behind a paywall.
Who I Am – Experience,
Expertise, and Trust
I'm not a literary academic. I'm not a
publisher. I'm not a bookseller.
But here's why you can trust what I
write:
✅ Experience
I've been a reader all my life. I know
the frustration of walking into a bookshop and leaving empty-handed because
everything costs too much. I've built my own home library on a shoestring
budget. I've watched friends and family give up on reading because they
couldn't afford to keep up.
✅ Expertise
I've read extensively – from Achebe to
Adichie, from Nwapa to Okorafor. I've studied Nigerian literary history and the
forces that shape our reading culture. I understand the publishing ecosystem:
printing costs, forex, distribution, and the economics of Nigerian books.
✅ Authoritativeness
I don't just offer opinions. I back up
every claim with data – from UNESCO reports, the Nigerian Copyright Commission,
National Library records, and interviews with authors and publishers. Every
article cites credible sources.
✅ Trustworthiness
This blog is non-commercial for
now. I'm not selling anything. I'm not pushing affiliate links. I'm not here to
make a quick profit. I'm here to build a community of informed, passionate
readers.
Why I Do This (Even
Though It Takes Time)
I'm not a full-time writer. I have a
job, responsibilities, and a life outside this blog.
But I believe that stories
shouldn't cost a fortune. I believe that a country that reads is a country
that thinks. I believe that every Nigerian child deserves to know the joy of
getting lost in a book without their parents having to choose between feeding
them and buying a textbook.
So I write. I research. I interview.
And I share everything I learn – for free.
If you're reading this, you're part of
that mission. Thank you.
What's Next for Nkọwa?
Right now, Nkọwa is a blog. But I have
a bigger vision, but that's a long way off. For now, I'm building trust,
proving my knowledge, and creating content that helps you read better and spend
less.
How You Can Help
If you believe in what Nkọwa is doing,
here's how you can support:
1.
Read. Share. Comment. Engagement tells
me what matters to you.
2.
Tell
a friend who
loves books but hates high prices. Let them know there's a community for them.
3.
Suggest
a topic – what
would you like us to cover? What books frustrate you? What authors do you love?
4.
Stay
tuned – when we
launch our surprise package, you'll be the first to know. And because you're an
early reader, you'll get a discount.
Let's Build a Reading
Culture Together
Nkọwa means explanation. It means
story.
And every story deserves to be told –
and every Nigerian deserves to read it.
Welcome to Nkọwa. Stories shouldn't cost a fortune.
— Esther Enwerem, Founder.
Contact
I'd love to hear from you.
·
Social: @readnkowa (Instagram, Twitter/X,
Medium)
·
Blog: