Discover the best Nigerian writers in our comprehensive guide to learn about Nigerian literature and find your next favorite novel.
Nigerian literature includes works in a wide range of genres, including poetry, novels, plays, and short stories. The country’s literature often examines identity, tradition, colonialism, post-colonialism, and rich and diverse cultural heritage.
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1. Chinua Achebe
Like numerous other Nigerian writers, the work of Femi Osofisan focuses on colonialism and its impact on Nigeria. Even though Nigeria is an independent country, the legacy of colonialism still runs deep. He focuses on the complex history of his country and uses powerful metaphors to communicate his point.
For example, one of his most famous works is Women of Owu, published in 2004. This is a unique story that retells the story of Euripedes but from the perspective of Nigeria and the Owu Kingdom. The Owu Kingdom was in power from 1821 to 1826. Femi Osofisan is one of the most celebrated Nigerian writers of all time.
2. Sefi Atta
Next, you might also want to learn more about Wole Soyinka. He won the Nobel Prize in literature in 1986 and was the first African writer to receive the award. Much of his writing focuses on the exploitation of Africa by other countries, using a wide variety of metaphors to communicate his powerful point. He also writes about the issues of oppression still rife throughout the African continent.
He discusses oppression by both African leaders and European colonizers. His work has been so powerful that Nigerian leaders have even sentenced him to death in absentia. If you are interested in exploring his work, you may want to check out You Must Set Forth at Dawn: A Memoir. This is a book that focuses on his own experiences, thoughts, and memoirs.
3 Buchi Emecheta
Teju Cole was born in the United States but is of Nigerian descent. His family moved back to Nigeria, where he was raised, but he eventually moved back to the United States and settled in Brooklyn. Because he had such a diverse upbringing, it is also reflected in his work.
He has enjoyed a career as a novelist, artist, historian, and photographer. He has also won numerous awards for his work, including Open City, published in 2011. This novel is set in New York a few years after 9/11 and focuses on a character who wanders throughout the city, trying to find his way.
4. Ben Okri
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the youngest Nigerian authors, but her career is growing quickly. She has already written a few novels, many of which have won awards. Much of her work focuses on her country’s unique political atmosphere and its impact on people’s relationships.
One of her most famous stories is called Purple Hibiscus, which tells the story of a family involved in plotting a political coup against the Nigerian government. The story also focuses on the trials and tribulations of the Nigerian people that led to the plight of its citizens. It is a gripping, powerful, and emotional story that provides an inside look at life in Nigeria in the wake of colonial rule.
5. Helon Habila
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in the city. Adébáyọ̀ received a degree in medicine from the University of Ibadan and worked as a doctor before turning to writing. Adébáyọ̀’ss debut novel, Stay With Me, was published in 2017 and received rave reviews. The novel tells the story of a couple living in Lagos and their struggle to have a child and explores love, marriage, and family themes.
Adébáyọ̀’ss writing often deals with themes of identity, family, and relationships. In addition to her novels, she has also published a collection of short stories. Adébáyọ̀ has received several awards for her writing, including the Dylan Thomas Prize.
13. Tomi Adeyemi, 1993 -
Chigozie Obioma received a degree in English literature from the University of Nigeria and later pursued a master’s degree in creative writing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Obioma’s debut novel, The Fishermen, which was a huge success. The novel tells the story of four brothers in Nigeria who are drawn into a prophecy that threatens to destroy their family.
Obioma’s second novel, An Orchestra of Minorities, was also a big hit. This novel tells the story of a young poultry farmer in Nigeria who embarks on a journey to fulfill his dreams and seek redemption. Obioma is known for blending folklore and myth. He has received several awards for his writing, including the FT & Oppenheimer Award for Fiction and the ANPA/NDDC National Merit Award for Literary Excellence.
6. Chinelo Okparanta, 1981 -
Nnedi Okorafor is a Nigerian-American science fiction and fantasy writer. She was born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents and raised in both countries. Okorafor’s writing often draws on African mythology and culture, and she is known for creating vivid and complex worlds in her stories.
Okorafor is the author of several novels, including Who Fears Death,The Book of Phoenix*, and*Akata Witch**. She has also written numerous short stories and novellas, many of which have been collected and published as anthologies. Okorafor’s work has received numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. In addition to her writing, Okorafor is a creative writing professor at the University of Buffalo in New York.
7. Lesley Nneka Arimah, 1983 -
Lesley Nneka Arimah was born in the United Kingdom and raised in Nigeria and the United States. Arimah’s writing has appeared in several publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Granta.
She is the author of the short story collection, What It Means When a Man Falls From the Sky, which won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction and the New York Public Library’s Young Lions Fiction Award. Arimah has received fellowships and residencies from the MacDowell Colony, the Yaddo Corporation, and the Bread LoafWriters Conference.
8. Helen Oyeyemi, 1984 -
Chika Unigwe was born in Nigeria and raised in Belgium. Unigwe’s writing often explores identity, culture, and the immigrant experience. Unigwe’s work has been widely translated and has received numerous awards and honors, including the PEN Open Book Award and the Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Unigwe is the author of several novels, including On Black Sisters Street,The Night Dancer*, andThe Phoenix**. She has also published a collection of short stories,The Virgin of Flames. Unigwe often writes about the experiences of women and the challenges they face in a society that is often hostile to their independence and autonomy. She is known for her powerful and evocative writing style, and her work has been praised for its insight and emotional depth.
9. Jane Igharo, 1972 -
Jane Igharo is a Nigerian-Canadian writer and practicing lawyer. She was born in Nigeria and raised in Canada. Igharo’s writing often explores love, family, and cultural identity themes. Igharo’s work has been widely published and has received numerous awards, including being longlisted for the Giller Prize.
Igharo is the author of Where We End & Begin and*The Way Home**, a finalist for the UK’s Good Housekeeping First Novel Award and the Canadian Booksellers Association’s Libris Award. She is also the author of the novella Love in Colour, which was a finalist for the UK’s Good Housekeeping Debut Fiction Award.
10. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, 1992 -
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a Nigerian-British writer and an active journalist. She was born in Nigeria and raised in England. Àbíké-Íyímídé’s writing often explores themes of identity, race, the immigrant experience, and cultural heritage.
Àbíké-Íyímídé is the author of the novel Ace of Spades, which was a finalist for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. This novel is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of identity, tradition, and the immigrant experience, and it has been praised for its compelling characters and emotional depth.
She is also the author of the novella The Weight of a Feather, which was a finalist for the UK’s Good Housekeeping Debut Fiction Award.Àbíké-Models work has been widely published and has received numerous accolades, including being nominated for the Desmond Elliott Prize. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Nigerian authors, we have many more articles on the best authors from around the globe. Why not ?
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s writing unique?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s writing is characterized by her powerful exploration of identity, culture, and social justice. Her work seamlessly weaves personal stories with broader political and social themes, creating narratives that are both intimate and universally resonant. She’s known for her ability to challenge stereotypes and give voice to African experiences.
What are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s most famous books?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s most famous books include ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ (2006), ‘Americanah’ (2013), and ‘Purple Hibiscus’ (2003). Her TED Talk ‘The Danger of a Single Story’ has also been widely influential. ‘Americanah’ won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2013 by the New York Times.
What themes does Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explore in her writing?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores themes of identity, race, gender, immigration, colonialism, and the African diaspora. Her work often examines the intersection of personal and political, particularly focusing on Nigerian culture, the immigrant experience in America, and the complexities of modern relationships.
Why should I read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie?
You should read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her masterful storytelling, insightful social commentary, and ability to create deeply human characters. Her work offers fresh perspectives on universal themes while educating readers about Nigerian culture and the immigrant experience. Her writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
11. Ijeoma Umebinyuo, 1979 -
Ijeoma Umebinyuo is a Nigerian writer and speaker born in Nigeria and raised in the United States. Umebinyuo’s writing often explores love, identity, and cultural heritage themes. She primarily writes poetry and essays and is the author of several collections, including Bones Will Crowand*Wake Up, New Day**.
Questions for Ada, a collection of essays, was a finalist for the PEN Open Book Award. She is also the author of the poetry collection Bare, which was a finalist for the Arab American Book Award. In addition to her writing, Umebinyuo is a public speaker giving talks and readings at various private and public events and festivals worldwide.
