Born in Rotterdam on March 2, 1964, Nikko early on revealed himself as a proponent of study but an opponent of compulsory education. He broke away from the traditional education system, earned his green beret as a conscripted soldier on October 28, 1983, and, after completing his military service, set out to explore the world.

His wanderings through both the upper and underworld—taking him through many global conflict zones—eventually led him to Spain, where he began researching the world of the corrida. This research inspired him to attempt a breakthrough as a matador. However, his career in Spanish arenas came to an end when the Dutch military called upon him, sending him to the Afghan province of Uruzgan for two years.

No Dutch soldier served longer in Uruzgan, experienced more adventure, or left more footprints in the Afghan sand.

​

In 2009, Nikko resigned from the Dutch armed forces. He once again embraced his nomadic lifestyle and devoted himself to his true passion: writing.

​

From ice cream vendor at Rotterdam’s Euromast to infantry captain to author, his genre is the autobiographical picaresque novel. Nikko’s books Onbevlekte perceptie (Immaculate Perception) and Onvoorspelbaar verleden (Unpredictable Past) sparked considerable controversy, while in his book De holbewonercode (The Caveman Code), he advocates for a healthy lifestyle.

​

Nikko’s book Vechten, vluchten of verstarren (Fight, Flight, or Freeze) calls for awareness and perspective—a must-read for anyone who enjoys taking life’s seriousness with a grain of salt but does not shy away from critical reflection.