On the night of Valentine’s Day 2026, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Nebula Award winner, and a recipient of the World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, and two Nommo Awards, was struck by an out-of-control delivery motorcycle while walking near Reddington Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos. The impact launched him into the air and onto the pavement. The rider then continued forward and struck the woman beside him before stopping.

Doctors confirmed a spinal fracture. His orthopaedic surgeon told him plainly that a slightly worse injury would have meant permanent paralysis, chronic debilitating pain, or lifelong deformity.

His prescribed recovery is six to eight weeks of complete bed rest during which he cannot write, cannot work, and cannot meet the professional obligations that sustain him as an independent author and publisher in Nigeria.

A GoFundMe campaign organised by Shahid Mahmud, Publisher and CEO of Arc Manor, is seeking $3,000 to cover Ekpeki’s immediate medical expenses, hospital fees, orthopaedic consultations, spine care, and ongoing medication, and to support him through lost income during recovery. As of this writing, the campaign has raised $627 of its goal.

Ekpeki has spent his career not only writing extraordinary speculative fiction but building the infrastructure for African SFF — founding anthologies, mentoring emerging writers, and establishing awards for disability representation in the genre. He deserves the community’s support now.

Donate here: gofundme.com/f/help-oghenechovwo-ekpeki-recover