Foluke O. Oyeleye

Hey new followers, get to know us. We’re Tani Series, publishers of the ‘I Am A Nigerian In…’ series. The journey to our 1st set of books started while @folukeoo was at Harvard Business School. No, we’re not just namedropping Harvard although she’ll probably cringe at us mentioning it. While at HBS, she wrote about Nigerian business leader, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola, and her professors loved it so much they turned it into a HBS case study. Which is kind of a big deal. Anyway, that made her want to tell more Nigerian stories and, this desire and her love for inspiring kids, birthed these series on notable Nigerians. With vivid stories and beautiful illustrations, each I Am A Nigerian In... book features stories of courage and creativity, spotlighting 15 notable Nigerians in their field. Beyond opening up a world of dreamers, our books contain additional information about places, sectors, and many more things Nigerian that’ll expand your child’s imagination (and yours too)! #IAmANigerian #Kidlit #bookstagram #iamanigerianinmusic #iamanigerianinliteraryarts #iamanigerianinstem

The Mysteries of Praise was written to help children see themselves in God’s Word and discover that praise belongs in their mouths, their homes, their questions, and their everyday lives. Launches May 28. You can pre-order for your home, children’s church, or school. #mysteriesofpraise #faith #authors #childrensbook #Biblestories

A number of people have asked me “Why a book about praise?” My first answer would be “It’s an essential part of life”. We’re all familiar with gratitude. Most of us have a daily gratitude journal where we list the things that we’re thankful for during that day. That smile, that cup of coffee, sunshine after a week of rainy days, the friend that checked in on you, the person that helped carried your shopping bag etc. While gratitude acknowledges the benefit we received, praise acknowledges the character of the Giver: God. Today, after you say “thank you” for a blessing, I would like to suggest that you take it a step further and find an attribute of God that made that blessing possible. Speak it out, loud it!! God is worthy of our praise. #praise #gratitude #themysteriesofpraise #folukeoo

From a worshipper and a writer comes a Bible adventure about praise and the God who still does mysterious things. Inside The Mysteries of Praise, children and families will journey through unforgettable Bible moments across 21 stories. They’ll also explore creative activities, prayers, and praise fun that help families turn praise into an everyday habit. On May 28, we release The Mysteries of Praise by Dunsin Oyekan and Foluke Oyeleye, a joyful Bible adventure created to help children discover the hidden powers of praise. #BibleBooksForKids #ChristianChildrenBooks #FaithForFamilies #TheMysteriesOfPraise #TaniSeries

“Look at his coconut head”, “Shut up you talk too much” “We are like that in our family, no one ever……” Why can’t you be like Chike, does he have two heads?” “Foolish man, see how you crossed over to my lane” “I am such an idiot!”, And the list goes on. Words are seeds, children absorb so much more than we realise, not just the lessons we intentionally teach, but the way we speak about ourselves, handle mistakes, respond to challenges, and treat others. This Children’s month, let’s be reminded to model confidence around the children in our lives because the environment we create often becomes the voice they carry within themselves. Confidence is not only built through praise, but through safe spaces where children can learn, fail, ask questions, grow, and still feel valued. I honestly believe many adults are still healing from words casually spoken to them as children, which is why the way we show up around children truly matters. What is one thing you heard growing up that has shaped how you see yourself today? #modelingconfidence #familyvalues #childrensmonth #thewordswespeak #renewyourmind

Our founder story continues. Tani was built with a clear intention to be a nexus for writers to tell stories that reflect African identities, experiences, and voices. Stay tuned and glued. Please follow our journey as we bring these stories to life. #tani #founderstory #childrenbooks #africanpublishing

The girl that is sitting alone, the man that sneakily wipes away his tears, the children looking longingly at food items from the shop window, the sad woman sitting waiting for her train to come in. I notice subtle things, as someone who writes nonfiction and tells real stories, I’ve come to realise that depth doesn’t really come from information alone. It comes from paying attention. From noticing the small things most people overlook, the patterns, the little details hiding in plain sight. Over time, choosing to observe more intentionally has shaped how I think and how I write more than anything else, and I shared more about this in my latest piece on my website . Link in my bio. I’d love for you to read it and let’s start a conversation, what have you noticed lately that others might have missed? #powersofobservation #look #putdownthephone #author #nonfictionbooks

What started as an intention to write children’s books during the Covid lockdown evolved into Tani Series as a publishing company. Our Founder @folukeoo tells you the origin story of @taniseries

Shammah was one of the mighty men of David. His name means God is there, God is present. I believe that names are important. In his case, he knew that he had God’s wraparound Presence with him and acted accordingly. We are also God’s Presence carriers, when we have done all according to the Word of God and it seems like nothing is happening, we stand. So this is your cue not to quit, it’s your call to stand. Stay rooted, hold your ground, and keep showing up with “Godfidence.” You have backing, you are definitely not walking alone. PS: also know when it is time to let go and let God….(that’s another story) 😉🙏🏽 #shammah #wraparoundpresenceofgod #standfirm #holdyourground #jesusgirl

The first time I wrote a biography was during my MBA at Harvard Business School. I wrote about Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola and his contribution to Nigerian industry, and that work was later selected by the faculty as one of the business cases used to teach students about African companies and businesses. As meaningful as that was, it also made me think about timing. Academic work preserves excellence, but it often comes into people’s lives much later. By then, so much of identity has already started to form. So, many years later, when I once again began writing about Nigerian and African excellence, I decided to write for children because they are still learning how to see themselves and what to aspire to, and the stories they encounter at that stage matter deeply. That is why I created the I Am a Nigerian In… series across STEM, Literary Arts, Music, and more. Through these books, I want children to meet Nigerian excellence early and to see it as something close, real, and possible for them too. My books are available in Nigerian bookstores and on Amazon worldwide (Link in bio). #taniseries #nigerianauthor #biography #nigeria

As I I meditated on the experience of Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of John this song came to mind. “He knows my name, He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call.” In a moment where grief had blurred everything, where what she expected to see limited what she could recognise, she was still known fully and personally. And I think that’s the reassurance. That even when  the noise of life happenings, our emotions get loud, and you’re not seeing things as clearly as you should, you are not unseen. Christ sees you, Christ knows your name, Christ hears you, Christ is near and He loves you. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 #grief #jesuslovesyou #jesusgirl

We have never done an album release worship experience but with this album Minister @dunsinoyekan felt a leading from God that we needed to do one, and by the end of the evening we all left knowing exactly why. The sounds that were released into the atmosphere and the sounds of this album were like incense offered from an altar of consecrated worship. During the worship sessions, I saw clouds —the place was transformed and it felt like that moment Moses had when he was told to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground. My sister @larakayode seated next to me confirmed that this wasn’t an ordinary moment. By the time Elohim (my favourite song on the album) was ministered we were all floored. The sounds on the album will draw you to a place of intimacy, to acknowledge that God is truly Number One and our Priority The New Wine Album is a must-listen. It will lead you into the Presence of God, to the place of prayer. I know that it will lead people into encounters with Jesus Christ. #newwine #jesusislord #gospelmusic