A NUST Journey Turns 16 Years of Experience into a Resource for Africa
Twenty-two years after graduating from Imo State University in Owerri, Nigeria, with a degree in English and Literary Studies, Chisom Utibe Akah returned to academia; this time at NUST, carrying with her 16 years of professional experience and a dream to turn that experience into something that could benefit others across Africa.
Akah graduated in 2004 but, with her parents unable to support further studies, entered the workforce instead. A few years later, while struggling financially in Abuja, an opportunity emerged from a skill she had formerly offered for free. “What I had previously done for free became a paid service,” she recalls. That moment marked the beginning of her editing business in 2009.
By 2017–2018, she had left full-time employment to focus on editing, ghostwriting and publishing professionally. Her return to academia came after moving to Namibia with her family in February 2026. Although she initially hoped to pursue a master’s degree, her qualifications were assessed under the Namibian education system, and she was advised to complete an Honours degree first. She became a NUST student in March.
“It feels as though I have arrived at exactly the right time and am studying precisely what I need,” Akah says. Her studies have provided the theoretical foundation to complement years of practical experience. Courses such as Theoretical Linguistics, African Oral Literature, Contrastive Linguistics, Language Planning and Policy, and Research Writing have strengthened her understanding of language and editing, while also influencing the work she does professionally.
That intersection of academia and experience became particularly significant with the publication of Professional Rates, a book conceived in January 2026 after years of answering questions from aspiring editors, ghostwriters and writers across Africa.
Initially written from a Nigerian perspective, the manuscript evolved after Akah arrived in Namibia and began her studies at NUST. “If I wanted the book to truly serve African editors, it needed to reflect the diversity of the continent rather than the experience of just one country,” she explains.
Her lecturers also contributed to the book’s development. Literary Theory lecturer Professor Nelson Mlambo encouraged her to think more deeply about its research and publication value, while Head of Department Prof Niklaas Frederick supported her vision and encouraged her to see the book as part of a broader academic journey.
Professional Rates seeks to address a gap in the African publishing industry, where many existing pricing resources are based on United States or United Kingdom markets. Akah wants her book to provide practical pricing strategies and business guidance tailored to African professionals. “The main message I want readers to take away from Professional Rates is that editing is a profession in its own right,” she says.
For Akah, professionalising the sector means creating clearer standards, fair pricing structures and opportunities for training. “Editors are the refiners of great stories,” she says.
Her NUST journey has ultimately broadened her perspective beyond Nigeria and strengthened her identity as a Pan-African professional. More than simply returning to the classroom, Akah has found a space where academic learning and professional experience intersect — helping transform years of practice into a resource designed to support the next generation of African publishing professionals.
You can access her book here: www.chisomutibeakah.com
