Nigerian-American poet Daniel Umemezie has been selected as the 2026–2027 United States National Youth Poet Laureate, becoming the second Nigerian-American to receive the prestigious honour.
Umemezie is the 10th young poet to hold the national title, following the historic achievement of Salome Agbaroji, who became the first Nigerian-American to be named US National Youth Poet Laureate in 2023.
Known for his creative writing, Umemezie uses poetry to examine themes of heritage, identity and the experiences of growing up within the Nigerian-American community.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria celebrated his selection on its social media platforms, describing him as a talented young Nigerian-American whose poetry connects heritage and identity while exploring the complexities of the Nigerian-American experience.
“Meet Daniel Umemezie, the 2026–2027 U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate — the 10th poet to hold this prestigious title, and the second Nigerian-American to do so, following 2023 laureate Salome Agbaroji!” the mission said.
The mission also praised Umemezie’s ability to use poetry to express the richness and complexity of life, while highlighting the role of young people in creative and cultural expression.
His selection represents another milestone for Nigerian-American representation in the United States literary community and underscores the growing influence of young Nigerian-American creatives.
Umemezie’s achievement also comes three years after Agbaroji’s groundbreaking selection, further highlighting the contributions of Nigerian-American voices to America’s literary and cultural landscape.
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