Wana Udobang Biography, Age , Career, Early Life, Personal Life Facts, Bio & Updates

Wana Udobang Biography

Wana Udobang is a Nigerian writer, poet, journalist, filmmaker, and performer who is widely known by her artistic name “Wana Wana.” She was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Over the years, she has used her voice to speak about women’s experiences, pain, healing, and strength. Her work mixes spoken word poetry, radio presenting, documentary films, and storytelling workshops. Many people love her because she talks about real life issues in a way that feels honest and close to the heart.

She has performed on stages in Africa, Europe, and America. She has worked with big organizations such as the BBC, the Ford Foundation, and the Gates Foundation. Her poetry albums Dirty Laundry (2013) and In Memory of Forgetting (2017) are famous for turning personal pain into powerful art. Today, she is seen as one of the leading voices in modern Nigerian literature and African feminist storytelling.

Wana Udobang Early Life

Wana Udobang was born in Lagos, Nigeria. The exact year of her birth is not always listed in public records, but she grew up during the 1980s and 1990s. Lagos is a busy, noisy, and colorful city. The streets, markets, and people of Lagos shaped her early views of life. She often says the city taught her how to observe people and listen to their stories.

As a child, she loved reading and writing. She went to school in Nigeria before moving to the United Kingdom for university. In 2008, she graduated with a first-class degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, England. Getting a first-class degree showed how hard-working and talented she was even as a student.

While studying in the UK, she started working in media production houses such as Wise Buddah Productions and Somethin’ Else. These early jobs helped her learn how to tell stories through sound and words.

Wana Udobang Career

Wana’s professional journey has many chapters. Here are the main parts of her career in simple order:

Early broadcasting work in London Right after university, she worked as a researcher and assistant producer for BBC World Service programs and other British production companies.

Return to Nigeria and radio presenting In 2010, she moved back to Lagos. For six years (2010–2016), she hosted and produced popular radio shows on 92.3 Inspiration FM. Her program “Talk Talk Talk” let everyday people share personal stories about health, love, and family.

Journalism and writing She wrote articles for The Guardian Nigeria, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, and BellaNaija. Her stories often focused on women’s rights, mental health, and social issues.

Spoken word poetry breakthrough In 2011, she joined the Farafina Creative Writing Workshop organized by famous author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This workshop changed her life. She discovered spoken word poetry and started performing under the name Wana Wana.

First poetry album “Dirty Laundry” (2013) With support from the Ford Foundation, she released a multi-media project and album that used poetry to talk about shame, abuse, and healing.

Second album “In Memory of Forgetting” (2017) This collection focused on memory, survival, and joy after pain.

International performances and residencies She has performed at the Edinburgh International Festival, Lagos International Poetry Festival, and many universities across the world. In 2020, she was selected for the prestigious International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, USA.

Documentary filmmaking She has directed short films and documentaries about Nigerian culture, women’s health, and personal stories.

Storytelling workshops She created “The Comfort Food Storytelling Workshop” where people use food memories to talk about identity and family history.

Fellowships and grants She received the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Fellowship (2016), Camargo Foundation Fellowship in France, and grants from the Gates Foundation and Deutsches Museum.

Today, Wana continues to write, perform, teach workshops, and work on new film projects.

Wana Udobang Personal Life

Wana Udobang believes that every person carries stories that deserve to be heard. She often says, “Honesty starts from the gut.” For her, art is not just about beauty; it is about truth, healing, and change.

Key ideas that guide her work:

Vulnerability is strength. Sharing painful experiences helps others feel less alone.

Women’s stories matter. She uses her platform to speak about issues many women keep silent about, such as body image, abuse, and mental health.

Memory is powerful. Remembering the past helps us understand who we are and how to move forward.

Storytelling can heal. Whether through poetry, radio, or workshops, telling our stories helps us and others grow.

Culture and food connect people. Her Comfort Food workshops show how a simple memory of jollof rice or egusi soup can open deep conversations.

She admires writers and poets such as Niyi Osundare, Ama Ata Aidoo, and Warsan Shire because they mix personal truth with social message.

Conclusion

Wana Udobang started as a young girl listening to Lagos stories. Today she is an international artist who carries those Lagos stories to the world. Her work proves that one honest voice can touch thousands of lives. She continues to create poetry, films, and workshops that help people speak about their pain and their joy.

As Nigeria and Africa keep rising in global art and literature, Wana Udobang remains an important bridge. She connects old oral traditions with new digital stages. Her message is clear: when we tell our true stories, we become free.

FAQs

Where is Wana Udobang from?

She was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.

What is Wana Udobang known for?

She is known for spoken word poetry, radio presenting, documentary films, and women’s rights advocacy.

What are her main poetry albums?

Dirty Laundry (2013) and In Memory of Forgetting (2017).

Did she study abroad?

Yes, she earned a first-class degree in Journalism and Broadcasting from the University for the Creative Arts in the United Kingdom in 2008.

Has she won any awards?

Yes. She has received the Gabriel Garcia Marquez Fellowship (2016), Camargo Foundation Fellowship, Ford Foundation grant, and was part of the 2020 International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

Does she only write poetry?

No. She is also a journalist, radio host, filmmaker, and workshop facilitator.

Where can I listen to her poetry?

Many of her performances are on YouTube. Search for “Wana Wana spoken word.”

What is “The Comfort Food Storytelling Workshop”?

It is a workshop she created where people share personal stories triggered by memories of food.

Wana Udobang’s journey shows that talent, hard work, and courage can turn personal stories into gifts for the world. Her voice continues to inspire new generations of African storytellers.