Aditu Ede, Nnika Publishing Unveil Monads Poetry Anthology in Ibadan

By Mojolaoluwa Major and Babatunde Adekanmbi

Aditu Ede, in collaboration with Nnika Publishing, has officially launched Monads, a poetry anthology that brings together multiple creative voices into a single literary force. The book bears the subtitle Monads: Many Voices, One Literary Pulse.

When diverse minds converge, poetry does not fragment; it surges—like molten magma breaking through the earth’s crust of language and cooling into a solid, enduring form. That enduring form is Monads.
Monads is a collaborative poetry anthology that assembles varied poetic expressions into a unified literary whole. True to its title, the collection reflects a meeting of styles, perspectives, and poetic sensibilities—distinct creative units existing harmoniously within one artistic vision. It celebrates diversity without compromise and individuality without separation.
At its heart, Monads is sustained by an energetic literary community of poets, writers, editors, and creative thinkers bound by a shared reverence for language and meaning. Each poem stands firmly on its own while contributing to the collective rhythm of the anthology, resulting in a layered and immersive reading experience.
The project was initiated under Aditu Ede, with curatorial leadership provided by Babarinde Gbemisola Iqmatullahi, while Nnika Publishing, under the direction of Omobolaji Olofinika, handled the publishing process. Together, their stewardship shaped both the philosophical outlook and artistic direction of the anthology.
Guided by this leadership, Monads embodies a conscious literary stance—one that prioritizes craftsmanship, critical engagement, and the ongoing evolution of poetic expression.
Published by Nnika Publishing, the anthology benefited from a carefully structured editorial process and deliberate presentation. Editors and literary professionals worked collaboratively to ensure the collection is not only rich in concept but also polished in form.
The poems in Monads were selected through an open call for submissions, attracting entries from poets across the literary landscape. Contributors include Halima Alimi, Ojetola Oyinlola Elizabeth, Mojolaoluwa Major, Babarinde Gbemisola Iqmatullahi, Aliu Gomez, Mutiat Olayemi Sokunbi, Fasasi Abdulhakeem (Fasco), Ayeni Ireti Adewale, Oluwatosin Solaru, Omobolaji Olofinika, Oluwanifemi Aishat Adegoke, Folashade Olajuwon, Olajide B.O.Y, Theresa Obila Ogar, among others.
Their varied contributions affirm the anthology as a genuine coalition of voices rather than a singular poetic trajectory.
Monads was officially unveiled on December 10, 2025, at the Tunde Odunlade Art Gallery, Aare Bodija, Ibadan. The event attracted creatives, scholars, and literary enthusiasts from across Oyo State and featured poetry readings, premiere presentations, and reflective exchanges that fostered a sense of creative affirmation and fulfillment.
Notable cultural figures, including Prince Adeyemi and Tunde Odunlade, Founder and CEO of the gallery, were in attendance, underscoring the synergy between literary and visual arts.
Since its launch, Monads has continued to gain relevance. On January 24, the anthology took center stage at a book reading event where several performances and interpretations were drawn directly from its pages. Its reception was further marked by commercial success, as all available copies at the premiere sold out, with sustained demand afterward.
Now available through Nnika Publishing in Ibadan, Nigeria, Monads stands as a powerful testament to the strength of collaboration in contemporary poetry.