Publication
The African in the Mirror
A Critical Appraisal of the Past and Present Role of Africans and African Religiosity in the Development Crisis of Sub-Saharan Africa
By Abimbola Lagunju
About Tomio Publishing
Publishing African Voices Since 2000
Founded in Ibadan by Yomi Fakayode, Tomio Publishing is an independent literary publishing house dedicated to developing distinctive writing, preserving important cultural narratives and connecting African literature with readers across generations and borders.
Our institution
About Tomio Publishing
Tomio Publishing House is an independent literary publisher founded in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2000 by Yomi Fakayode. For more than two decades, the publishing house has worked to provide a professional platform for African writers and to bring meaningful fiction, nonfiction, poetry and creative writing to readers.
Our publishing interests reflect the diversity of African experience. We are particularly interested in writing that explores society, identity, history, culture, relationships, community and the changing realities of contemporary life.
We believe that important literature can emerge from local experience while speaking to readers far beyond its place of origin. From our roots in Ibadan, TOMIO seeks to support writers whose work contributes to broader literary, cultural and intellectual conversations.
Heritage
Our History
Since its establishment in 2000, Tomio Publishing has developed around a commitment to literature, authorship and cultural expression. Our history reflects a sustained belief that publishing should preserve important voices while creating opportunities for new ones to emerge.
2000
Tomio Publishing House founded
Tomio Publishing was established in Ibadan, Nigeria, by Yomi Fakayode, with a commitment to publishing African writing and supporting literary voices.
Founder
Founded by Yomi Fakayode
Yomi Fakayode founded Tomio Publishing House in 2000 with a vision of creating an independent platform for literature rooted in African experience and open to wider cultural conversation.
Under this founding vision, TOMIO has sought to combine editorial independence with a commitment to authors, literary quality and the preservation of culturally significant writing.
Yomi Fakayode Founder
What we publish
Our Publishing Programme
TOMIO's interests span literary forms that illuminate personal, social and cultural experience.
- 01
Fiction
Publishing compelling literary and contemporary fiction that explores individuals, communities and society through distinctive storytelling.
- 02
Nonfiction
Publishing thoughtful works engaging with social, cultural, historical and intellectual questions.
- 03
Poetry
Supporting poetic voices whose work demonstrates originality, craft and meaningful engagement with personal and collective experience.
- 04
Anthologies & Short Stories
Creating space for diverse literary voices through collections, anthologies and shorter forms of writing.
- 05
Essays & Cultural Commentary
Publishing writing that examines identity, society, history, cultural values and contemporary African experience.
From the catalogue
Selected Publications
A selection of eligible featured titles from the TOMIO catalogue.
Publication
Gombii and Other Short Stories
By Abimbola Lagunju
Authors
Authors & Literary Community
Authors are central to the work of Tomio Publishing. We work with writers whose work demonstrates originality, literary substance and the potential to contribute meaningfully to cultural and intellectual life.
Our relationship with an author may encompass manuscript assessment, editorial development, publication preparation, production, distribution and promotion. Throughout that process, we seek to strengthen each work while respecting the individuality of the writer's voice.
TOMIO works with both established and emerging writers and remains committed to creating opportunities for meaningful literary work to reach wider audiences.
Abimbola Lagunju
Abraham Akinbami
Adélaïde Fassinou
Alaba Fawole
Publishing practice
Editorial Standards & Publishing Practice
Professional publishing requires more than producing a finished book. Tomio Publishing approaches each publication as an editorial collaboration between writer and publisher, with attention to literary quality, accuracy, presentation and readership.
Depending on the publication and project, that work may include the following stages:
- 01Manuscript Assessment
- 02Editorial Review
- 03Author Development & Revision
- 04Copy editing & Proofreading
- 05Design & Production
- 06Publication
- 07Distribution & Promotion
Literature and memory
Our Cultural Contribution
Publishing plays an important role in preserving memory, questioning assumptions and transmitting culture between generations.
Tomio Publishing seeks to contribute to African literary culture by providing a platform for writers to examine society, history, identity, relationships, community and cultural change through literature.
Our catalogue reflects our belief that African experiences should be documented not only for their immediate communities but also as part of the wider record of contemporary human experience.
Beyond borders
International Outlook
TOMIO is rooted in Ibadan but outward looking in its literary ambition.
We believe African literature belongs within an international literary conversation. Our ambition is to strengthen the visibility of the writers we publish, develop relationships across the publishing and cultural sectors and create opportunities for their work to reach readers beyond national borders.
As the publishing house develops, TOMIO will continue to pursue meaningful relationships with publishers, booksellers, literary organisations, libraries, universities, festivals and other cultural institutions where those relationships support literature and authorship.
Professional integrity
Supporting Literary Talent
Tomio Publishing is committed to identifying and supporting writers capable of making meaningful contributions to literature.
Our assessment of a writer is based on genuine professional engagement with their work. Where TOMIO has worked substantially with an author, the publishing house may provide professional confirmation of that relationship, the nature of the work undertaken and achievements that TOMIO can directly substantiate.
Any professional reference or recommendation issued by Tomio Publishing must reflect a genuine and documented relationship with the writer concerned. TOMIO does not provide professional recommendations where it does not have sufficient first hand knowledge of an individual's literary work or professional contribution.
Principles
Publishing Ethics & Independence
Editorial Independence
Publishing decisions are made according to the literary merit, relevance and publishing potential of each work.
Authorial Voice
Editorial development should strengthen a manuscript while respecting the author's distinctive creative voice.
Cultural Integrity
TOMIO seeks to represent people, communities and histories responsibly.
Professional Integrity
Public statements, publication records, author relationships and professional references should be accurate and capable of substantiation.
Literary Development
The publishing house supports both established writers and new voices with meaningful literary potential.
Our Values
- 01
Literary Quality
- 02
Author Development
- 03
Cultural Integrity
- 04
Editorial Independence
- 05
International Engagement
Leadership
Leadership & Editorial Team
TOMIO's publishing programme is supported by people responsible for editorial development, publishing administration, production and the wider operation of the publishing house.
Founder
Yomi Fakayode
Institutional information
Tomio Publishing House
- Publishing House
- TOMIO Publishing House
- Type
- Independent Literary Publisher
- Established
- 2000
- Location
- Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Address
- 18 Gbadebo StreetMokolaIbadanOyo StateNigeria
- Telephone
- +234 805 547 14 54
Stories rooted in place. Literature without borders.
For more than two decades, TOMIO has believed in the importance of giving meaningful writing the editorial care and publishing platform it deserves. Our work continues with the authors, stories and ideas that will shape the next chapter of African literature.