Meet Nigeria’s Daniel Umemezie, named US national youth poet laureate

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Daniel Umemezie has been named the 2026–2027 US National Youth Poet Laureate, becoming the 10th young poet to hold the prestigious title and the second Nigerian-American to receive the honour.

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Umemezie follows in the footsteps of Salome Agbaroji, who became the first Nigerian-American to be named US National Youth Poet Laureate in 2023.

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A gifted Nigerian-American poet, Umemezie uses his writing to explore heritage, identity and the complexities of the Nigerian-American experience.

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His poetry reflects the richness of his experiences while connecting questions of culture and identity with the realities of growing up between different worlds.

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Through his work, Umemezie has emerged as a distinctive young literary voice, using poetry not only as a form of creative expression but also as a way to tell stories and explore experiences that resonate with wider audiences.

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His appointment marks another notable achievement for Nigerian-American representation in the US literary space, following Agbaroji’s historic appointment three years ago.

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Umemezie’s achievement has also been celebrated as an example of how young people can use creativity and storytelling to lead, inspire and make an impact.

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The National Youth Poet Laureate title recognises outstanding young poets in the United States and provides a platform for young literary voices to reach wider audiences.

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Umemezie’s selection places him among a growing generation of young poets using their voices to explore culture, identity and contemporary life.

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His achievement also highlights the continued contributions of Nigerian-American young people to the arts and creative industries in the United States.

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