A wave of creative activism is sweeping through Nigeria’s literary circles as Yemipoet Creation, a fast-rising Instagram poetry platform, unveils a new contest themed around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The announcement comes just months after the platform’s May contest, which focused on Zero Hunger, drew widespread attention online, receiving 195 submissions from young poets nationwide.
Many of the entries delivered stark reflections on food insecurity, with lines like “Too many eat hope for dinner and call it feast” and “Over 700 million starving, their dreams torn apart” resonating with audiences far beyond the poetry community.
The upcoming August edition, according to sources familiar with the organisers, will spotlight all 17 SDGs from poverty eradication and climate action to gender equality and quality education. It marks a significant step in the platform’s evolution from a creative outlet to a driver of youth-led advocacy.
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Founded by poet and nutritionist Opeyemi Moses, Yemipoet Creation has grown organically into a hub where poetry meets purpose. The platform, now marking its one-year anniversary, has steadily built a community of writers using verse to engage with real-world issues.
“We want to show that young people are not just aware they care, they act, and they create,” Moses said in a statement. “Poetry is our tool to fight, to heal, and to inspire.”
Although three winners will be awarded, insiders say the true goal is to spark dialogue and build momentum around the SDGs, particularly among Nigerian youth and creatives.
Submissions are expected to open in early August via the Yemipoet Instagram page, where entry guidelines will be released.
This development underscores a growing trend in Nigeria’s literary space, where art is increasingly being used as a form of social commentary and resistance.