Title: Behind the Curtain: Femi Fowora, The Weight of Air
Year of Publication: 2025
Number of Pages: 143
Category: Self Help
Imagine someone drives up in a luxury car, lives in a beautiful home, flies business class and then says, “I was depressed.” In Nigeria, the first response might not be sympathy. It would probably be, “Depressed about what? Please swap lives with me for one week.”
That reaction is exactly why Femi Fowora’s The Weight of Air is such an important book. It reminds readers that mental health does not check bank statements before deciding who to visit.
This is not a memoir written to impress. It is one written to reveal. Fowora pulls back the curtain on a life many would envy and invites readers into conversations that successful people are often reluctant to have. He writes candidly about panic attacks, fear, self doubt and the slow, often painful journey towards healing.
In a society where many men are raised to believe vulnerability is weakness, The Weight of Air feels both timely and necessary. Fowora neither seeks sympathy nor presents himself as a hero. He simply tells his story with honesty, and that honesty becomes the book’s greatest strength.
Few books speak so directly to Nigerian men, particularly those who have spent years pretending they are fine.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its conversational style. It never reads like a conventional autobiography. Instead, it feels as though Fowora is sitting across from the reader, gisting over a cup of tea or perhaps a beer. His voice is relaxed, humorous, reflective and remarkably easy to connect with.
From the opening chapters, it is obvious that he comes from a life of privilege. At times, readers may even catch themselves wishing they had his life. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that privilege offers comfort, not immunity. It cannot shield anyone from pain, loss or emotional struggles.
Some readers may feel Fowora spends a little too much time describing his privileged upbringing and lifestyle. If that world is unfamiliar, it may even come across as showing off. However, those details serve an important purpose. They reinforce the contrast between outward success and inner turmoil.
There are moments when the memoir feels like an account of “rich people’s problems,” and some experiences may not immediately resonate with the average Nigerian trying to make ends meet. Yet, beyond the wealth lies a deeply human story filled with insight, vulnerability and reflection.
One of the book’s strongest messages is that success means very little if the mind is falling apart. Fowora raises thought-provoking questions about purpose, fulfilment and what truly matters, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives.
The memoir is also sprinkled with memorable lines that make readers pause and think. Fowora’s sense of humour provides welcome relief, ensuring that even its heaviest moments are balanced with warmth and wit.
Although depression is at the heart of the story, The Weight of Air is about much more. It reflects on relationships, family, identity, purpose, failure, healing and what it truly means to live a fulfilled life. Perhaps the most inspiring part of Fowora’s journey is that he refused to let his struggles define him. Instead, he transformed them into purpose by establishing a mental health foundation so others would know they are not alone.
The Weight of Air is a powerful reminder that depression is no respecter of persons. It affects the rich and the poor, the powerful and the unknown.
More importantly, it delivers a message many Nigerian men rarely hear. It is okay to admit you are struggling. It is okay to ask for help. Sometimes, the strongest person in the room is the one with the courage to say, “I’m not okay.”
Behind the Curtain, Femi Fowora’s The Weight of Air is more than the story of one man’s battle with depression. It is a thoughtful challenge to long held beliefs about masculinity, vulnerability and success, and a powerful reminder that healing begins with honesty.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: [email protected] Social: @tiipreeofficial
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
