#bolanle

In a literary landscape increasingly shaped by bold voices and cross-cultural narratives, Bolanle Lawal’s debut novel, Love of Power, emerges as a work of deep introspection, rooted in Nigeria’s vibrant traditions yet resonating with universal human truths. It is more than a story of kings and kingdoms; it is a meditation on love, destiny, and the moral cost of ambition.

A Kingdom Built on Love, and Tested by Power

Set in the fictional Yoruba city of Ifepade, which translates to “Love United”, Lawal’s narrative traces the rise and evolution of King Akinade, a monarch whose life unfolds across generations of love, loss, and leadership.

Born into privilege and destined to rule, Akinade’s early arrogance contrasts sharply with his wise and compassionate twin sister, Oyemade. Through their intertwined journeys, Lawal paints a picture of the delicate balance between affection and authority, showing how power can both elevate and destroy when love is forgotten.

When tragedy strikes and Akinade ascends the throne, the city itself becomes a mirror of his moral evolution, prospering under his care, faltering under his pride, and ultimately healing through humility.

The Moral Core: Love versus Power

At the heart of Love of Power lies an age-old question: What matters more, love or power?

For Lawal, this is a cultural and spiritual inquiry. Through Akinade’s journey, from a reckless prince to a reflective ruler known as The Great Emperor of the West, the novel explores how ambition and leadership, when untethered from empathy, can lead to ruin.

The story’s oracle prophecy and family secrets add layers of tension and introspection, challenging readers to question how destiny, choice, and divine justice coexist. In the end, Akinade learns that love, not wealth, influence, or titles, is the true measure of a life well-lived.

Cultural Richness and Nigerian Identity

One of Lawal’s greatest strengths lies in her portrayal of Nigerian heritage. From the spiritual rituals of Ifashola the Oracle Man to the communal values that underpin Ifepade’s society, every page reflects Yoruba culture’s beauty and complexity. The narrative honors the rhythms of oral storytelling, where lessons are passed down through generations and every tale carries a moral heartbeat.

The novel also bridges traditional African wisdom and modern global experience, particularly through Akinade’s time in Canada, where he confronts the reality that titles and lineage hold no weight beyond home. This cross-continental experience gives the book a distinctly diasporic depth, capturing the struggle between heritage and modernity that many Nigerians abroad can relate to.

A Universal Tale of Redemption

While Love of Power is steeped in the Nigerian context, its message transcends borders. Akinade’s journey is one of redemption and reflection, the realization that even those blessed with influence are not immune to regret, loss, or longing. His story reminds readers that leadership without love breeds isolation, and that humility often arrives through pain.

Lawal’s prose is warm, direct, and lyrical. She writes not just to entertain but to heal and inspire, weaving spiritual insight with emotional realism.

The Author Behind the Story

Bolanle Lawal’s own life adds an inspiring layer to her work. A Nigerian-born nurse who became blind due to glaucoma, she transformed her challenge into creativity, fulfilling her lifelong dream of writing. Her perspective as a visually impaired author infuses her storytelling with authenticity, empathy, and faith.

Through Love of Power, Lawal not only contributes to African literature but also expands it, offering readers a narrative in which resilience meets legacy and disability becomes a symbol of vision, not limitation.

A Legacy Rooted in Love

Ultimately, Love of Power is a story about the inheritance of values. It asks each reader to consider what kind of power they seek: the power that controls, or the power that uplifts.