Nigerian-American Daniel Umemezie named US youth poet laureate

Nigerian-American poet Daniel Umemezie has been named the 2026–2027 US National Youth Poet Laureate, becoming the second Nigerian-American to receive the honour, according to a report by Vanguard.

He follows Salome Agbaroji, who made history as the first Nigerian-American recipient in 2023. Umemezie’s poetry explores heritage, identity and the complexities of the Nigerian-American experience, connecting cultural questions with the realities of navigating two worlds.

His appointment highlights growing Nigerian-American representation in US literary spaces and celebrates how young people can use creativity and storytelling to inspire wider audiences.