Maureen Onwunali, From Rhymes to Resonance

Maureen Onwunali, a Dublin-born Nigerian poet and performer, commands attention with her powerful voice and unapologetic style.

Maureen Onwunali, a Dublin-born Nigerian poet and performer, commands attention with her powerful voice and unapologetic style. Her performances start with unretracted diminuendos, creating and moulding up a slow, consistent rhythmic pace towards a conflicted climax, which she artistically pokes and unfolds with perfect precision. Maureen's dynamic talent shone brightly when she secured first prize in the 2021 Roundhouse Poetry Slam, earning her recognition and awe.

"Homegrown", Maureen Onwunali's debut poetry collection, delves into profound themes of home, motherhood, embodiment, and ancestry. Her innovative approach led to a commission as poet in residence for the Milton Keynes International Festival, where she is currently working on "utopia in verse", a project exploring poetry as a blueprint for a liberated future.

Maureen Onwunali is a truly sensational poet and performer whose voice creates a resonant connection deeply revered between the audience and the artist. Eschewing conventional norms, her "woke" perspective and fearless expression of truth resonate powerfully through her creativity. 

One of her most impactful pieces, "The Revolution Has Just Been Televised", is not just a reawakening but a spoken word masterpiece destined for enduring recognition. She satirically challenged the society-perceived norms. Beyond her performances, Maureen fosters creativity in others by leading inspiring free poetry workshops.

Her novel and mind-blowing style of poetry writing is garnering significant recognition, leading to invitations to speak at various reputable organizations. Maureen's work resonates deeply with audiences, drawing inspiration from everyday experiences to craft "poetry masterpieces" like "The Revolution Has Just Been Televised". 

Her recent role as a co-judge in the 2025 Roundhouse Poetry Slam further solidifies her esteemed position in the poetry world.

—Judith Igwedibia

Also Read: Bernardine Evaristo, The Radical Reasoner Who Rewrote British Literary History