Reading, African Literature, and Storytelling w/ Ikhide Ikheloa | Lead with Storytelling

Ikhide Ikheloa on Reading, African Literature and Storytelling in the Digital Age

In this episode of Lead with Storytelling, Sochi Azuh speaks with Ikhide Ikheloa about his journey as a writer and literary commentator, the transformation from print to digital culture, the literacy crisis, African literature, social media and the possibilities—and challenges—of artificial intelligence.

In this conversation

From print to digital

Ikhide reflects on his early writing, long before smartphones and social media, and his experiences with mailing lists, magazines, newspapers and the emergence of online literary communities.

Are people reading less?

Rather than simply describing a decline in reading, Ikhide argues that people are reading constantly—but often through phones and digital platforms. The challenge, he suggests, is finding ways to bring good content to where readers already are.

The literacy crisis

The conversation examines reading habits, education, access to books, the decline of leisurely reading and the structural challenges facing public education.

African literature and representation

Ikhide discusses the evolution of African storytelling and his criticism of the tendency to reduce African stories to narratives of gloom and poverty. He reflects on the importance of writers writing about themselves and the experiences that matter to them.

Storytelling in the digital age

How can writers and literary communities engage audiences accustomed to short-form, fast-moving digital content? Ikhide shares his idea of leading readers “into the rabbit hole”—using curiosity to draw them toward longer and more challenging works.

AI and storytelling

The conversation turns to generative AI and the future of writing. Ikhide shares his thoughts on AI-generated stories, collaboration, technology and the enduring importance of narrative.

Books and reading recommendations

The episode closes with a rapid-fire conversation about reading habits, underappreciated African writers, books that were never returned and books he would recommend to young readers.

Rapid-Fire Reading Round

📚 Silence or audiobooks?

📖 One underappreciated African writer

✍🏽 A writer whose work always makes you think

📚 A book you have lent out and never got back

👩🏾‍💻 A book you would give to a young reader

Guest

Ikhide Ikheloa is a writer and literary commentator whose work and opinions have contributed to conversations around African literature, reading and literary culture.

About Lead with Storytelling

Lead with Storytelling is a podcast exploring why stories matter and the people who bring them to life.

Hosted by Sochi Azuh, the podcast features conversations with authors, scholars, writers and creative voices about literature, culture, leadership, creativity and the stories through which we make meaning of the world.

Watch, listen and follow Lead with Storytelling for more conversations about why stories matter.