A Nigerian-American poet, Daniel Umemezie, has been named the 2026-2027 U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate, earning recognition from the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
Umemezie becomes the 10th young poet to hold the prestigious title and the second Nigerian-American to receive the honour.
He follows in the footsteps of Salome Agbaroji, who made history in 2023 as the first Nigerian-American to be named U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate.
Known for his distinctive voice, Umemezie uses poetry to explore themes of heritage, identity and the complexities of growing up Nigerian-American.
His appointment further highlights the growing representation of Nigerian-American voices in the American literary and creative space.
The U.S. Mission in Nigeria celebrated the achievement across its social media platforms, describing Umemezie as a gifted young poet whose work connects heritage and identity while reflecting the richness of the Nigerian-American experience.
The mission also praised his achievement as an example of how young people can use creativity to inspire others, lead and make an impact.
Umemezie’s appointment comes three years after Agbaroji’s historic selection, marking another significant milestone for Nigerian-American representation in the U.S. National Youth Poet Laureate programme.
