Our friend, Pamilerin Jacob, is a poet, editor, and literary organiser from Nigeria. His poems have found homes in POETRY Magazine, Lolwe, The Rumpus, Frontier Poetry, 20.35 Africa, and beyond. A finalist for the 2024 Walt McDonald First-Book Prize, he has authored five chapbooks, with work translated into Igbo and French.

Beyond accolades, however, Pamilerin is a “poetry evangelist.” For the past decade, he has helped nurture a generation of writers through various literary initiatives. In 2020, he founded Poetry Column-NND in the Nigerian NewsDirect, offering a national stage to over 120 poets. From this platform, multiple prizes and publications have emerged, including the Nigerian NewsDirect Poetry Prize, Nigerian NewsDirect Chapbook Series, and the Folorunsho Editor’s Poetry Prize. His devotion has echoed across the continent, supporting collectives, journals, and festivals in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia.

Now, in 2025, the Arts Council England has recognised his work and endorsed his move to the UK to continue championing African literature on a global stage.

Yet, the path forward is blocked by an immense cost: a £5,175 Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for a five-year visa. With initial living costs, the total needed is £6,500. Pamilerin has already paid his visa and endorsement fees himself. Due to the Naira’s freefall, this final step remains heartbreakingly out of reach.

We are putting this fund together to help with his journey. Please donate and share. Every donation brings him closer.

For donors in Nigeria, please send to this account:

Zenith Bank | 2080140854

Account Name: IBIYEMI OLAWALE