How Esther Okoloeze is building Africa’s Christian storytelling hub for creatives
Esther Okoloeze, a Nigerian social entrepreneur and mentee of the Vera Alex Coaching Company, is pioneering a creative hub designed specifically for African Christian writers. Her mission is to close the income gap faced by faith-based storytellers by creating sustainable opportunities in the creative industry.
Armed with a degree in Theatre Arts and over a decade of writing experience, Okoloeze is channeling her passion into structured career pathways for young writers. “There’s a noticeable lack of decent work opportunities for creatives—especially those who blend their faith with African heritage,” she shared in a recent interview.
In April 2025, she led a three-month fellowship program that trained over 30 African Christian writers. The initiative, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), equipped participants with practical tools to craft faith-centered, culturally rooted, and commercially viable stories.
“There’s a deep yearning for wholesome, well-crafted narratives that embody Christian values and African experiences,” said Okoloeze. “We’re creating a space where writers don’t have to compromise their faith for the sake of a career.”
Her journey began with scribbles in a secondary school journal and evolved after a failed film audition following university. That moment shifted her focus from acting to writing and mentorship. “Funding has always been a major challenge,” she admitted. “I’ve had to juggle multiple roles. But like software, I’ve learned to launch, learn, and improve.”
She attributes much of her growth to the mentorship of Vera Alex, founder of Vera Alex Coaching Company, which empowers African change-makers. “Esther is a quiet force,” said Alex. “She embodies what our community stands for—excellence, impact, and resilience.”
Looking ahead, Okoloeze plans to scale her fellowship to train 50 to 150 creatives annually, solidifying her vision of a structured ecosystem for African Christian storytelling.