Nels Abbey is a British-Nigerian (Itsekiri) writer, broadcaster, media executive and satirist. Prior to moving into media, he worked in financial services principally for the US investment mammoth BlackRock. His first book Think Like a White Man (Canongate, 2019) is a widely praised, eviscerating satire of modern racial discourse and politics in the corporate world. Nels is a regular contributor across the spectrum of major news and media organisations including The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Financial Times, The Metro, The Independent, Channel 4 News, CBC News (Canada) and several flagship BBC shows including Newsnight and Question Time. In 2020 Nels co-founded the Black Writers Guild.
Nels Abbey
In conversation
Nels Abbey: 'I have a people pleasing-element inside me that I don't want to offend people, but when it comes to these things, I think I have a responsibility to say what needs to be said.'
In conversation with Jonny Wright
29th July 2026
Listen now
Nels Abbey
Nels Abbey is a British-Nigerian (Itsekiri) writer, broadcaster, media executive and satirist.