Leadership Team
Azafi Omoluabi
Co-Founder
Our Story.
Our Mission.
What We Do.
Our primary mission is to publish books by first-time authors and provide Nigerian readers with diverse literary works. We are dedicated to promoting the freedom of imagination and fostering a culture of free expression.
Founded in 2012 by Azafi Omoluabi and Richard Ali, Parrésia Publishers Ltd is a publishing company based in Lagos, Nigeria.
We comprise teams of diverse professionals banded together for one purpose — producing great books, your books! This synergy informs our company motto — Your words. . .in Trust!!! We are dedicated to promoting the freedom of imagination and fostering a culture of free expression. Parrésia Publishers emerged with the aim of amplifying the voices of previously unheard writers in the Nigerian publishing scene.
Our Imprints
Recognised as one of “a handful of influential new publishing houses” in Africa by The New York Times in 2017, Parrésia has earned accolades and awards for its commitment to literary excellence.
In 2016, we received the NLNG Prize for Literature for Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s Season of Crimson Blossoms, and in 2020, we shared the Sharjah International Prize for Fiction Award with Penguin Random House South Africa for Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onubia’s The Son Of The House, which also won the NLNG Prize for Literature in 2021. To cater to different demands in the publishing market and showcase our impact on contemporary Nigerian literature, Parrésia operates under three distinct imprints:
Regium
Named after Royalty, Regium is our traditional publishing imprint focused exclusively on fiction. We aim to release five fiction titles each year, including literary fiction, exceptional popular fiction, and collections of short stories that demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship and innovation.
Origami Books
Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, Origami Books is our specialised imprint catering to clients interested in our bespoke services. These authors can afford the cost ofseeing their books published. Origami accepts submissions from authors across all genres and offers a personalised publishing experience that grants them complete control over the publishing process. Origami also offers marketing and distribution services and guarantees getting your books into the hands of the best readers.
Ọmọde Mẹta
Meaning “three children” in Yoruba, Ọmọde Mẹta is a hybrid imprint that encompasses both traditional publishing and self-publishing. It focuses on publishing Children’s Books and Young Adult fiction, nurturing and showcasing talented authors in this genre.
Among our esteemed roster of authors, you will find renowned names such as Lola Akinmade-Akestrom, Peace Adzo Medie, Chika Unigwe, Chigozie Obioma, Obinna Udenwe, Iquo Diana Abasi, Emmanuel Iduma, Ever Obi, Olukorede Yishau, and many others.
At Parrésia Publishers, we are committed to broadening literary horizons and fostering cultural exchange. Currently, we are translating five books from Turkish to English and Arabic to English, supported by grants from the Sharjah Book Authority.
Our founders share a dream to revolutionise Nigerian publishing and prove that a sustainable business model can thrive in the industry. We firmly believe that Nigerians possess a love for reading, and our goal is to ensure that our books reach every reader who appreciates a good story. To accomplish this, we understand the importance of actively promoting and circulating books to connect them with their intended audience.
We invite aspiring authors to submit their works during our annual submission window, which runs from April 1 to June 30, for consideration under our Regium and Ọmọde Mẹta imprints. We welcome fresh voices and stories that have the power to captivate and inspire readers across Nigeria and beyond.