At the heart of Kukogho’s work lies a steadfast belief in storytelling as a catalyst for change, a means to cultivate empathy, and a way to safeguard collective memory.

With a diverse career in writing, publishing, and creative leadership, he has consistently advocated for narratives that elevate marginalised voices and delve into the intricacies of the human experience. Whether mentoring young poets in Nigeria or highlighting diasporan perspectives through international literary platforms, Kukogho harnesses literature and the arts as tools for healing, empowerment, and cultural connection.

His mission is to forge connections that transcend borders, generations, and worldviews, using shared human experiences as a powerful force for truth, transformation, and belonging.

Kukogho Iruesiri Samson boasts an impressive academic background that includes a Master of Science in Media and Communication from the renowned School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos (2020), and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2007). His expertise is further complemented by certifications in Dramatic Film Making from the National Film Institute obtained in 2006, and Intensive Television Production from the Nigerian Television College completed in 2007, establishing a solid groundwork for his dynamic career in communication.

For his primary and secondary education, Kukogho attended several institutions in both Northern and Southern Nigeria, including:

• St Phillips Primary School, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, from 1988 to 1989
• ECWA Staff School, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, from 1989 to 1995
• Oduduwa College, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, in 1995
• Ambassadors College, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, from 1995 to 1998
• International Secondary School, Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria, from 1998 to 2001, and
• God’s Time Comprehensive Secondary School, Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, from 2001 to 2002.

In addition to his formal education, Kukogho is committed to lifelong learning, acquiring certifications in Project Management, Leadership, Sales and Relationship Management, Change Management and Service Delivery Efficiency, which highlight his dedication to ongoing personal and professional growth. Collectively, these academic pursuits illustrate his strong commitment to excellence, creativity and effective leadership.

Kukogho Samson’s professional career spans over 15 years, demonstrating exceptional leadership in strategic communications, policy development, and customer-centric operations across both public and private sectors. He consistently drives organisational success through impactful communication strategies, adept team leadership, and robust stakeholder engagement.

His core professional competencies include:

• Strategic Communications: Stellar written and oral communication, digital content management, and social media strategy.
• Dynamic Leadership: Adept team leadership and organisational alignment.
• Policy Development: Expertise in policy formulation and implementation.
• Customer Relationship Management: Comprehensive customer-centric operations and a consistent drive for process improvement.

Currently, a Customer Experience Leader at one of the UK’s largest suppliers of drinking water, Kukogho, excels in people management, fostering team performance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. He champions customer satisfaction by integrating feedback into process improvements and building effective cross-functional relationships.

His extensive tenure at the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) further highlights his expertise in public sector communications and policy. Progressing from Communications Officer to Principal Communications & Policy Officer, he was pivotal in leading policy development, managing complex external stakeholder relations, coordinating corporate reporting, and developing impactful communication strategies. A highlight of his career was the development of the Nigerian National Pension Policy Document for the Defined Benefits Pension Scheme, which he led.

Earlier in his career, as a journalist at Daily Trust Newspaper and Pulse Nigeria, he demonstrated formidable skills in digital content strategy, social media management, and online editorial leadership. He consistently achieved high output targets, managed various teams, and implemented innovative engagement campaigns that dramatically increased online visibility, audience engagement, and brand recognition.

A prolific and celebrated literary figure, Kukogho Samson’s creative repertoire includes four poetry collections and the critically acclaimed novel Devil’s Pawn (2020), winner of the 2018 GT Bank Dusty Manuscript Prize and first runner-up for the 2017 Association of Nigerian Authors Prize for Fiction. He was also honoured as the Poetry Writer of the Year at the 2015 Nigerian Writers Awards and was consistently recognised among the 100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40 from 2016 to 2018.

Beyond his personal writing, Samson is a committed arts administrator and publisher devoted to nurturing literary talent and advancing youth development. In August 2012, he founded Words Rhymes & Rhythm Ltd. (WRR), a prominent not-for-profit organisation that supports emerging Nigerian creatives. For his efforts, he received the Golden Award for Art Administrators in 2022. Under his leadership as Founder and CEO, WRR has driven numerous youth-focused literary initiatives, including the establishment of the Brigitte Poirson Literary Prize, the Green Author Prize, the Eriata Oribhabor Poetry Prize, and the convening of the Feast of Words literary festival for eight consecutive years.

He also launched Authorpedia Publishers, WRR’s assisted-authorship imprint, through which he has overseen the publication of over 200 print and digital books. His pioneering approach to hybrid publishing led to substantial sales and profit growth, enabling WRR to fund its literary initiatives without external sponsorship sustainably.

In August 2020, Kukogho founded one of Nigeria’s first paying literary journals, CỌ́N-SCÌÒ Magazine, as a creative outlet during the COVID pandemic. As Editor-in-Chief, he has steered its editorial vision, digital publishing workflow, and managed its remote volunteer editorial team. To date, the magazine has achieved over 120,000 combined downloads in nine issues.

Kukogho remains deeply engaged with the broader literary and arts community. He has featured as a guest speaker and workshop facilitator at major events and has served on the judging panels of several esteemed literary competitions.

Books

• Devil’s Pawn, 2020
• We Who Sowed Hurt & Beaded Pains, 2017/2019
• Words of Eros, 2017
• I Said These Words, 2015
• What Can Words Do, 2013

Honours:

• Kukogho Iruesiri Samson Poetry Prize, (named after me, 2024, Poetry Sango-Ota)
• Awardee, Golden Award for Art Administrators (2022, HIASFEST)
• Winner, Dusty Manuscript Prize (2018, GT Bank & Farafina Publisher)
• 1^st Runner-up ANA Prize for Fiction (Association of Nigerian Authors, 2017)
• Poetry Writer of the Year (Nigerian Writers Awards, 2015)
• 100 Most Influential Nigerian Writers Under 40 (Nigerian Writers Awards, 2016, 2017, and 2018)
• Winner, Orange Crush Prize for Poetry (2012)

• Selected Reviews

  • Book Review: Devil’s Pawn by Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: Bookish Pixie, Sep 2023 [article link].
  • Why I hated reading Iruesiri Samson’s ‘Devil’s Pawn’: Geek Afrique, Mar 2023 [article link].
  • Devil’s Pawn: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson’s captivating tale on patriarchy, revenge, corruption: Vanguard Newspaper, Aug 2022 [article link].
  • Kukogho’s Debut Devil’s Pawn is a page-turner reminiscent of Tom Clancy: Daily Trust, Aug 2022 [article link].
  • A case of missing penises, thrillers, reality and the devil’s work through the lens of Kukogho Iruesiri Samson’s Devil’s Pawn,  The BourneMouthReview, Oct 2022 [article link].
  • A Review of Kukogho Iruesiri Samson’s “We Who Sowed Hurt and Beaded Pains.”: The Nigeria Review, August 2022 [article link].
  • How ‘Feast of Words’ Tackles Nationhood, Uplifts Young Poets: ThisDay, December 2022 [article link]
  • Memories as Internal Structure in We Who Sowed Hurt and Beaded Pains: PINISI JOURNAL OF ART, HUMANITY AND SOCIAL STUDIES (Vol. 1 No. 5), 2021 [article link]
  • The Aesthetic Value That Kukogho’s ‘Words of Eros’ Houses Cannot Be Overestimated: [article link]

  Selected Interviews & Appearances

  • Book review with Samson Kukogho, Devil’s Pawn: AIT The Weekend TV show, July 2023 [link]
  • Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: “I Am Always Moving”: Afapinen, June 2023 [link]
  • Candid Talk – Kukogho Samson on Sex, Poetry and the power of social media: Box Office Studios, September 2020 [link]
  • Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: How Poetry Provided A Way Out: Gainsayer, December 2018 [link].
  • On Winning The 2018 Dusty Manuscript Prize: An Interview With Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: Praxis Magazine, 2018 [link]
  • #WriterSpotlight – “I Love Writing Because It Lets Me Have My Say in A World That Drowns Opinions With Noise.” Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: Sparkle Writers, March 2018 [link].
  • I Want To Fill The Disconnect First Generation Of Writers Created – Samson: Blueprint, April 2017 [link]
  • Up Close And Personal With Kukogho Samson – Poetry Writer Of The Year: Nigerian Writers Awards, June 2016 [article link].
  • In My Troubled Years, Poetry Gave Me Solace, Daily Trust, July 2016 [link].
  • I don’t know if I have a writing pattern that can be called a style – Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: StraightTalkWithBenneth, September 2015 [link]
  • What Can Words Do: Daily Trust, October 2013 [link]
  • Writing Compelling Characters: Workshop delivered at Abuja Literary and Arts Festival 2022 [link]
  • Afrika-Writes Workshop 2022 [link]
  • Book Chat with Kukogho Iruesiri Samson: Sokoto Book and Arts Festival, November 2022 [link]
  • Keynote Panel – Making Art Work: Abuja Literary and Arts Festival 2021 [link 1]
  • Yasmin El-Rufai Foundation (YELF) Literary Evening with Kukogho Samson, June 2018 [link]
  • Special Guest Abuja Writers Forum (AWF)Guest Writer Session, March 2017 [link]