Franklyn 'frinkie' Usouwa

Writer. Storyteller. Mummy's boy.
#CWPrize Shortlist 2021, 2022
@ZikokoCitizen
Email: [email protected]

[Franklyn 'frinkie' Usouwa @_frinkie]

Second shortlisting in as many years. Really proud and honoured. Thank you @cwwriters

[Commonwealth Foundation Creatives @cwfcreatives]

Meet your 2022 #CWPrize Shortlist! Congratulations to all! 🎉

The Regional winners will be announced on 23 May, and the overall winner on 21 June.

Read more 👇
https://t.co/Xs0pO1TLNd

Meet the shortlist video 👇
https://t.co/LIbuX2URxR

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

We’re marking Democracy Day by taking a look at how Nigeria’s democracy has been destroyed by Tinubu’s administration.

✍️: @_frinkie

#democracyday

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

It’s Democracy Day but Nigerians should actually be mourning our democracy which died in 2023.

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/NB1uOrAa4J

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/hFOoGrKs1o

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

From immigration officers that won't stamp your passport without a tip to NDLEA officers with account numbers on standy.

A writer's account of the awkward, expensive ritual of navigating Nigerian airports.

Written by: @_frinkie

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/Vy8plUJu0d

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

Are you a Nigerian living abroad?

We’d love to hear your story — whether it’s about leaving Nigeria or what life has been like overseas.

Send a DM or fill out the form using the link below, and we’ll reach out to you.

https://t.co/x5nLCbGfIe

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/Tm2WEYJ6ft

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

Bolu (@bolu_ay) spent his early years in the UK, so returning in 2018 for a master’s felt like a fresh start in a familiar place.

https://t.co/yifcq7cxm4

In this story, he shares great tips for building community and making friends through activities and social clubs, the pain of being so far away when his grandfather passed, and why he keeps putting off his return to Nigeria.

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/3mAh6zO4My

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

Gerry (@OsemudiamenOG) always wanted to get a master’s abroad. But about two years into Tinubu’s regime, he decided the time was now.

https://t.co/TCmicb4Qkv

In this story, he talks about life in Scotland’s Aberdeen, the exciting whims he’s indulged, and his plans for the future.

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

Iliyasu (@IliyasuBiu) spent four years in Sri Lanka getting his doctorate before returning to Nigeria in 2018.

https://t.co/WtI4WETSuR

In this story, he talks about the initial culture shocks, the best and worst parts of life on the island and why he was reluctant to leave his new home when it was time to return to Nigeria.

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

Few weeks ago, we brought together people who care deeply about the direction of the country.

From power and accountability to youth participation in politics, the room didn’t shy away from difficult topics.

We need more conversations like this.

#citizenTownhall2026

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

Farida*, 34, moved into her older brother’s home at 29 to get her footing in a new city. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with his wife.

https://t.co/sPNjH9g5q2

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/RP9Bt3b6oe

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

https://t.co/7X7Z8t6oHZ

[Zikoko says it’s #TheNairaLifeConference season!! @Zikoko_Mag]

Precious (@deyemipresh ) is a co-founder of Beeva AI, a beauty-tech startup, currently living in Germany.

In this story, she talks about quitting a stable job at Flutterwave to chase a tech entrepreneurship dream in Ghana, and how five months of "locking in" led to her eventually finding her tribe within Berlin’s running and tech communities.

https://t.co/84l01kX1wo

[Zikoko Citizen @ZikokoCitizen]

With everything happening in Nigeria, we need conversations that lead us to solutions.

Join us at Four Points by Sheraton Lagos or virtually on Google Meet for The Citizen Townhall on February 28, 2026.

Click the link to register: https://t.co/TCTWi8v77f

#Citizentownhall2026

[Franklyn 'frinkie' Usouwa @_frinkie]

@OInnocxnt It really was my pleasure🙏

[Emeka @OInnocxnt]

I sat with Zikoko and traced the quiet lessons of relocation, growth, and becoming. Thank you @_frinkie for the conversation.