Nick Makoha
Poet | Playwright | Performer | Educator
Dr. Nick Makoha is a Ugandan-born poet, playwright, performer, and educator based in London. A leading voice in contemporary poetry, his work explores themes of migration, identity, exile, and belonging. His latest poetry collection, The New Carthaginians, is forthcoming from Penguin (Feb 2025).
As the founder of the Obsidian Foundation, he has created a pioneering space for Black poets, nurturing creativity and community. His literary and theatrical works have earned prestigious accolades, including the 2021 Ivan Juritz Prize, Poetry London Prize, and Columbia International Play Reading Prize.
His play The Dark, a poetic retelling of his journey fleeing Uganda, was produced by Fuel Theatre and directed by JMK award-winner Roy Alexander Weise. It toured nationally and was shortlisted for the 2019 Alfred Fagon Award.
A visionary in his field, Nick has been a Writer-in-Residence at the ICA (2023), The Wordsworth Trust, and Wasafiri and is a Cave Canem Graduate Fellow.
Poetry & Publications
Nick’s poetry is celebrated for its lyrical intensity, cultural depth, and historical resonance. His debut collection, Kingdom of Gravity (Peepal Tree Press, 2017), was shortlisted for the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection and named one of The Guardian’s Best Books of the Year.
His poems have been featured in The New York Times, Poetry Review, Poetry London, Rialto, Boston Review, Callaloo, TriQuarterly, and The London Magazine.
SELECTED WORKS
- The New Carthaginians (Penguin, 2025)
- Kingdom of Gravity (Peepal Tree Press, 2017)
- The Dark (Oberon Books, 2018)
- Resurrection Man (Jai-Alai Books, 2017)
theatre & performance
Nick’s background as a performer has shaped his storytelling, merging poetic lyricism with powerful stagecraft. His theatrical works reflect the intersection of history, diaspora, and myth.
The Dark – A one-man play exploring exile, memory, and survival, inspired by his mother’s escape from Uganda in 1978.
My Father & Other Superheroes – A critically acclaimed show blending poetry and performance to explore fatherhood and migration.
Obsidian Foundation
As the Founder of the Obsidian Foundation, Nick has built a transformative space for Black poets of African descent. The Obsidian Writers Retreat, modeled on Cave Canem (USA), provides mentorship, workshops, and a growing literary community that fosters the next generation of Black poets.
Impact:
- Over 150 alumni have taken part in the retreat.
- Collaborations with Arvon, The Royal Society of Literature, The Poetry Society, and The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.
- The Obsidian Foundation Collection, an archive preserving the voices and works of contemporary Black poets.
Awards & Recognition
A LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM
Ivan Juritz Prize
2021
Hollywood Africans
Poetry London Prize
2021
The Dark
Columbia International Play Reading Prize
2021
BRUNEL AFRICAN POETRY PRIZE
2015
Resurrection Man
Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Prize
2016
Kingdom of Gravity
Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection (Shortlist)
Education & Research
Nick holds a PhD in Creative Writing from King’s College London, where his research explored the Afro-surrealist influence of Jean-Michel Basquiat and the construction of new diasporic myths through poetry.
Academic Background:
- PhD, Creative Writing – King’s College London (2024)
- MA, Creative & Life Writing – Goldsmiths, University of London
- BSc, Biochemistry – Queen Mary University of London
His research interests include Contemporary Poetry, African Literature, Afro-Surrealism, and the Black Arts Movement.
Teaching & Mentorship
Nick is a trusted mentor and educator, having guided emerging poets through prestigious programs and workshops worldwide.
- Graduate Teaching Assistant – King’s College London (Writing Poetry)
- Arvon & Wasafiri Residencies
- Guest Lecturer at – University of Suffolk, Goldsmiths, Roehampton University
- Black Poetry Masterclass Series – A pioneering program shaping the future of the Black poetic canon.