Leading literary scholars and writers have emphasised the importance of writing biographies for socio-economic development.
The scholars and writers converged at the Toyin Falola Interviews, a virtual intellectual forum, on Sunday, to discuss the significance of biography writing for socio-economic development.
The panel session, themed ‘Biography Writing: Promises and Perils’, was streamed across various social media platforms.
The panelists included Wale Okediran, secretary-general of the Pan African Writers Association; Toyin Falola, renowned historian; Mansoura Ez-Eldin, Egyptian writer; and Douglas Ogbankwa, Nigerian lawyer and policy analyst.
During the session, the panelists spoke on employment opportunities that can be generated from writing biographies and highlighted the untapped potential of biography writing in Africa.
They also discussed the role of biographies in preserving African heritage, celebrating unsung heroes, and creating professional opportunities for writers, researchers, and publishers.
According to Okediran, biography writing is crucial for documenting the lives of African thinkers, trailblazers, and everyday heroes.
“A good biography should present a balanced narrative, including the subject’s accomplishments and challenges,” he said.
“It should not be about flattery or hero-worship but about truthfully capturing a person’s journey—their struggles, their triumphs, and even their failures.
“That is what makes a biography meaningful and dignifying.
“We are losing vital pieces of history because we are not documenting the lives of our thinkers, our trailblazers, and even our everyday heroes. We must change this trend.”
On his part, Falola spoke on the need for African writers to establish biography-writing firms to meet growing demand.
“There is no end to people who want their stories told. A successful businessperson, a prominent politician, a preacher, even an artist—so many individuals want to leave a legacy through biographies. This is an opportunity for skilled writers to step in and build a professional practice around it,” he said.
“Biographies are more than just books—they are historical records, motivational tools, and cultural artifacts. By writing and publishing more biographies, we not only create jobs but also contribute to a richer, more diverse literary and historical landscape for Africa.”
Speaking on the benefits of biography writing, Ogbankwa cautioned that biographers must distinguish between truth and fact, as personal recollections can sometimes be subjective.
“When it comes to biography writing, we must differentiate between what is true and what is factual. Truth is what someone remembers or believes to be accurate, while fact is something that can be backed up with evidence,” he said.
“A biographer must be careful because what one person considers ‘truth’ may be disputed by another.
“To avoid legal disputes, biographers should work with signed contracts that outline the terms of engagement. This helps protect both the writer and the subject from misunderstandings or defamation claims.”
Speaking on the artistic nature of biography writing, Ez-Eldin emphasised that a biographer must ensure a sense of objectivity.
“Each biographer has to figure out a way to reach a balance—being close enough to the subject to understand them, yet distant enough to provide a critical and nuanced portrayal,” she noted.
“A biography is ultimately the writer’s interpretation of a life, no matter how objective they try to be.”
The discussion concluded with a call for greater investment in biography writing, positioning it as both a career path and a means of strengthening Africa’s storytelling traditions.
The panellists also urged governments, academic institutions, and publishing houses to support more biographical projects that document African experiences from authentic perspectives.
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