Walk in the shoes of literary globetrotter Koya-Oyagbola

Like many Columbia students, debut novelist Mogbolahan Koya-Oyagbola exudes the curiosity of a world traveler. Like many Columbia students aspire to someday become, Koya-Oyagbola is a true global citizen.

Koya-Oyagbola, author of the short story and poem collection, “Some White English Women I’ve Almost Known,” was born in Lagos, Nigeria. After spending his childhood in Africa, he attended boarding school in England. Throughout his life, Koya-Oyagbola has traveled the world, living in cities as distant as Tokyo, Glasgow, Vancouver, and Mexico City. He now resides in Munich, Germany and works as an English teacher.

“Traveling opened the door to accepting myself as a human being, a global nomad,” Koya-Oyagbola said. After living in over seven different countries, Koya-Oyagbola experienced a newfound freedom of communication. “It’s one human being talking about another,” he said.

“Some White English Woman I’ve Almost Known” is comprised of 14 short stories and five poems written over the span of six years, all revolving around the theme of exile. The pieces deal with identity and the search for oneself, and none of them commodify women, despite the connotations some may see in the title. On the contrary, the short stories and poems examine what it means to be human. “We’re self-deprecating,” Koya-Oyagbola said, “each person has to look within.”

Koya-Oyagbola explores the struggles of growing up in the developing country of Nigeria. “Little is held with accomplishment,” he said. In his book, he hopes to convey the disappointments of the Nigerian society—urging that investments like education should be given more value. Koya-Oyagbola said of his native country, “it all revolves around money.” The short stories and poems in the collection particularly speak to Nigerians and others who feel despondent about their ability to make a difference in the world. He encourages readers to look for the subtle beauties in life, to reflect inwardly and learn to make their mark on society in a more gradual fashion.

“I’m a romantic,” Koya-Oyagbola said, “not in the cliché sense of flowers and candy, but romantic in the sense that I couldn’t be a lawyer like my father. I gradually realized I would have to live for my art. The thing that matters most is to love and to be loved for who you are, your essence, and that’s where creativity comes from.”