We live in a world where the first thing most people check in the morning is a glass screen, scrolling through endless feeds tailored to keep them hooked. That daily, almost automatic habit is precisely what advertising strategist and author Toheeb Dele-Balogun zeroes in on with his upcoming literary release, Algodrithm, the Sacred Book.
Dele-Balogun, who serves as partner and Chief Impact Director at The Hook Creative Agency, is preparing to launch what he calls a satirical work of micro-fiction. Rather than writing a dense, academic critique of technology, the author treats social media algorithms like a modern deity—a digital god named “Algodrithm” who creates, judges, rewards, and punishes users in his own image.
Written like scripture and delivered through sharp, liturgical first-person prose, the book follows this fictional deity from creation down through the lives of everyday people living under his dominion. From viral chase culture to digital clout chasing, the stories mirror the familiar rhythm of Nigerian social, political, and religious life.
Reviving Literature for a Distracted Generation
Following his previous multi-modal literary project, Don’t Tell These Stories, Dele-Balogun continues to write for what he describes as a “distracted generation.”
Recognizing that modern readers rarely sit through lengthy, dense prose when competing with short-form videos and fast notification cycles, Algodrithm relies on bite-sized, punchy micro-fiction. The goal isn’t to force people off social media entirely, but rather to hold up a mirror so readers recognize how much of their daily lives they have handed over to digital feeds and lines of code.
- Genre & Style: Satirical micro-fiction framed like religious scripture and liturgical text.
- Core Theme: Examining human dependence on social media algorithms, online validation, and digital addiction.
- Author Background: Partner at The Hook Creative Agency, Orange Academy alumnus, and founder of the Awapikin Initiative.
- Social Impact: A portion of proceeds from premium book tiers supports child education reform through the Awapikin Initiative.
An Immersive Launch Event at J Randle Centre
True to Dele-Balogun’s background in creative execution and agency work, the official book release won’t look like a standard literary gathering with rows of folding chairs and speeches.
Instead, the launch is scheduled for October 17 at the J Randle Centre in Onikan, Lagos, designed as an interactive, live theatrical experience. The event will merge dramatized performances with immersive exhibitions and staging drawn directly from the book’s mythology, letting attendees experience the satire in person rather than simply reading it off a page.
The Intersection of Satire and Real-World Impact
Beyond the satire and creative staging, the project ties directly into community work. Dele-Balogun’s Awapikin Initiative, a non-profit focused on child welfare and educational access in underserved communities, will benefit from the release, with proceeds from premium book packages directed toward youth development programs.
By turning digital addiction into an accessible, entertaining story, Algodrithm, the Sacred Book offers a fresh take on how modern African authors can tackle contemporary tech culture without losing their audience along the way.