Words, Rhymes, And Resilience: The Evolving Art Of KIS

Kukogho Iruesiri Samson (often referred to as KIS or The Brainypoet) is a prominent Nigerian writer, publisher, and multimedia journalist. He is particularly recognised for his extensive work in mentoring young writers and his contributions to the Nigerian literary scene.

Kukogho is a versatile author who has written across multiple genres, though he is most widely known for his poetry. In an announcement on social media this February, KIS told his readers to expect something phenomenal from him. This newest announcement, “A Museum of Unfinished Men”, will be published by Masobe Books. This collection is the result of a four-year project exploring failed fatherhood and generational legacy. These poems will x-ray accountability, emotional rupture, and the struggle to break damaging life cycles.

Some of his other works include:

Novel: Devil’s Pawn (2020), which won the 2018 GT Bank Dusty Manuscript Prize.

Poetry Collections:

What Can Words Do (2013)

I Said These Words (2015)

Words of Eros (2017)

We Who Sowed Hurt & Beaded Pains (2017)

Kukogho is also an entrepreneur who has founded several platforms to support the creative arts: He has worked on initiatives such as:

Words Rhymes & Rhythm (WRR): An educational and publishing firm that began as a social media movement to platform young writers.

Authorpedia: A publishing firm and resource website dedicated to Nigerian authors.

CandidLAGOS: A street photography initiative focused on capturing unseen parts of Lagos.

He has received numerous accolades for his writing and influence:

GT Bank Dusty Manuscript Prize (2018) for his novel Devil’s Pawn.

Best Poet in Nigeria (2015) at the Nigerian Writers Awards (NWA).

Orange Crush Prize for Poetry (2012).

Listed among the 100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40 multiple times (2016, 2017, and 2018).

Kukogho began writing during his secondary school years and refined his craft while studying at Ahmadu Bello University. He views writing as a “literature of reorientation,” believing that writers have a social responsibility to educate and influence change in society.

His work often explores themes of personal expression, social consciousness, and the complexities of the human experience.