By Chukwuma Ajakah

From brewery to bestsellers? Meet Nigeria’s literary late-bloomer rewriting retirement.

After 26 years at Nigerian Breweries Plc, she retired into a new chapter – business. For 15 years, she steered her venture till the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway gridlock became too much for her to contend daily with. Reluctant but resigned, she traded that business off at 70, seeing it as a divine nudge and yielding to pressure. ‘God led me in, God led me out,’ she says.

With a life of structure behind her, idling wasn’t an option. She has travelled the world. Back home, friends were too busy for empty visits. Buying and selling beckoned, debtors proved tricky for this amiable talent, who treasures relationships, but giving up wasn’t in her. Instead of retiring to live on pensions, this creative is repositioning.

At 77, Jolomi Atimomo embarks on a thrilling new chapter, trading boardrooms for bestseller lists with her latest novel, The Colours of Love, a compelling sequel to her 2024 debut.

While briefing journalists during a media chat in Surulere, Lagos on Tuesday, March 2026, the author talked extensively about the new book, recently unveiled in Lagos.

According to the septuagenarian, The Colours of Love, a 410-page book, is a riveting, emotional story of loss, affection, breakthroughs, redemption, and reconnections, sharing a thematic thread and characterization with her debut, Colour Blind, published in 2024, with a few familiar characters from the earlier work reappearing in the new book.

In her new novel, Jolomi Atimomo, grandmother and former Nigerian Breweries PR Manager, reveals that love comes in shades of kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, hope, family, and truth.

When questioned about being a feminist, she explains that she writes for a global audience, addressing the gender question in a manner that she could not be rightly described as feminist. “I feel upset when I see things that discriminate against women. At Nigerian Breweries, where I worked, there were no ladies’ restrooms until recently – they didn’t expect ladies to work there.

“Inspired by a biblical scenario, one of my subjects discusses a man suspecting his wife of infidelity, taking her to a priest, and giving her a concoction to drink as punishment. The questions I ask: What about the man she ‘committed adultery’ with? Why is only the woman punished? Some discriminations against women still exist today – women are held back. In Nigeria, we fight with men doing the same job. Recognition should be automatic. If I’m doing a job, I may deliver better than a man, but he is paid higher. Women won’t continue to accept that. Does this stance make me a feminist?”

Speaking on how she has successfully managed to remain youthful, the elegant creative attributes it all to God, saying, “It’s nothing I’ve done or not done. Nutritionists and others will tell you: eat healthy, exercise moderately, get enough sleep, maintain a healthy social circle and all that. But at the end, it is God, the grace of God that keeps one looking young,” she says, adding, “I was at the Thanksgiving Service of a classmate – by the way, most of us from Class ’66 just turned 77. She said she was doing the Thanksgiving on behalf of us all as there remained only 12 of the 25 in that set. It’s the grace of God that spared us.” She reiterates citing scriptures, “God says He will show mercy to whom He will show mercy and have compassion on whom He will have compassion. It’s by His mercy that we are not consumed.”

When asked how she makes time to socialize, Jolomi says, “If I have a good book in my hand, coiled in my couch, reading it with a cup of tea by my side, that’s ultimate enjoyment to me.”
Reminiscing on her heydays, she shares: “My brother and I were once invited to a party. I requested a beer, reminding them I worked with the breweries. While I nursed a glass, my companions drank over a crate of Small Stout.
“As the ushers started avoiding us, they literally dragged me to two more drinking places that night. Guess they weren’t ready to call it a night! It was pure punishment for me! We got home around 12:30 am, with my brother saying they would’ve partied till dawn without complaints unlike me.”

Tina Ajai, a young writer and author of Song at Midnight, shares her view of the septuagenarian author: “She is the real deal – friend, big sis, and auntie vibes all rolled into one. She is the truth-teller you want in your corner. No judgement, just straight-up honesty to help you see things clearer. And the craziest part? She makes you feel like you’re on the same wavelength, no matter the age gap.”

Jolomi Atimomo’s words transcend borders, rooted in Nigeria, but speaking globally. Although the book is set in Nigeria, its language and culture vibe is global. According to the author, who writes from the heart, inspired by life’s convos and more, The Colours of Love is for
anyone who can read.

The author’s words show that she has lived, learnt, and is ready to share knowledge via good stories packed with years of life’s wisdom.

Atimomo’s personality shines. Noting her simple joys, she enthuses, beaming, “I travel, if I have cash – or my children dash me a ticket!” She prioritizes gardening, exploring, writing on-the-go, and travel. “TV is at the bottom of my priority list,” she adds.

As for beauty routine, she keeps it real – no heavy makeup or jewelry for this queen.
“Light jewelry is better in this heat; pancake makes you look like a masquerade,” she says with a smile.