Top 10 Nigerian Books (You didn’t know you wanted to read)

Those who have been reading my book lists over the years may have noticed a bias for Nigerian literature. Most likely it kicked in with my love of ‘Americanah’ (and questions as to why it took me so long to get around to) — and most recently with ‘The Girl with the Louding Voice’. But in between, I’ve sought out literature from this fascinating African nation, and rarely have I been disappointed.

I don’t claim to be a scholar on this genre, but I have picked up along the way a few common threads. Others have put these themes a lot more succinctly than me (and I’ve included some links below), however, I thought I’d point out the ones that interested me the most. First is the notion that all written Nigerian is considered to be modern; all of it having originated just before the country’s independence from Britain in 1960. That and the violence Biafran War both foundational themes for many of Nigeria’s narratives. There’s also the strong dialogue around Igbo religion and the many facets of it; particularly around chi; the concept of a personal god. And then there are the yams. There is an abundance of references to this vegetable, not just for its substance but for the other superpower symbols it holds in the nation. (read all about them here).

If you’re still keen to dig deeper — here are a couple of links — otherwise — let’s get stuck into the Top 10 Nigerian Novels (you didn’t know you wanted to read).

• New York Times article
• Great interview with Ikeogu Oke in Modern Literature Org
• A more academic write up on Nigerian Literature
• Good Reads Nigerial Books

The Fishermen — Chigozie Obioma (Published 2015, 304 pages)

Passed onto me by a friend in publishing; this was my first novel by a Nigerian author — and clearly a gateway read! Here, the novel follows the story of four middle-class Nigerian brothers in the 1990s. Centered around their short-lived career as fishermen — the group is given a prophecy by Abulu the Prophet (and the local madman) that disrupts their family to the core. One on hand structured like a mythic Greek tragedy, on the other the beauty comes in the details of the family’s set against the political and social backdrop of Nigeria in the late ‘90s.

Things Fall Apart — Chinua Achebe (Published 1958, 209 pages)

Many consider this as the book that started Nigeria’s foray into modern literature triumph. Not a surprise then that it was the next book I turned to in my Nigerian adventure — and it really was a phenomenal read. The first of three novels in Achebe’s critically acclaimed African Trilogy — it is based around Africa’s encounter with Europe as it establishes a colonial presence on the continent, told from the perspective of Okonkwo, a wealthy and fearless Igbo warrior. Even Obama rated it calling it “A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.” — Barack Obama

Americanah — Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche (Published 2013, 610 pages)

This is THE book that would have introduced many people to Nigerian literature and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who has firmed herself up as a must read author. Starting as a love story in a Lagos under military dictatorship, the novel sees the pair separated as one flees to the US and the other to London. Over the following 600+ pages; Adiche takes us on an amazing ride through post 9/11 Americanand the underground, undocumented life faced by many in London. Be prepared to be absorbed by this read.

An Orchestra of Minorities — Chigozie Obioma (Published 2019, 464 pages)

This is the incredible follow up novel to The Fisherman — and the perfect companion read to Americanah — that being when you’re craving more Nigerian literature. Without sounding too academic — the novel is in theory a modern take on The Odyssey combined with Igbo cosmology — with the narrator being a deceased spirit chi. But don’t be put off — for what you actually experience is the story of Chinonso; a poor chicken farmer whose life changes after he helps a woman from taking her own life. What follows is a complicated love story that takes our hero to Cyprus and decades of suffering. Needless to say — my family hardly saw me when I took this with me on holiday!

Binti — Nnedi Okorator (Published 2016, 96 pages)

Written by Nnedi Okorator, the US born author of two Igbo (Nigerian) immigrant parents, Binti is a very left-field offering in this list of literature. Winner of the Nebula and Hugo awards, this is first a sci fi novella — and one steeped in African context. It is about Binti “the first of the Himba people ever to be offered a place at Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.” While I’m not a massive fantasy or sci-fi fan, I did appreciate this as adding to the growing voice of Nigerian writers.

Freshwater — Akwaeke Emezi (Published 2018, 249 pages)

Oooh now, this is a good one for so many reasons! Firstly, let’s address the fact that this is a debut novel — an impressive start to a literary career. It’s a pretty confronting theme too — where a young Nigerian woman must deal with surviving “when they place a god inside your body”. Welcome to the story of Ada, whose suggested identity issues have been captured in the form of two personalities who live (and control her) from within. It’s an often torturous book, especially as this has links back to the author’s own personal identity struggles (identifying as trans/non-binary).

And now for a bit of Pop Culture Stop Press — as Emezi broke Twitter, engaging in a war of virtual wars with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie where their personal beefs are heavily overlaid with big questions about feminism, gender identity, cancel culture, social media and anti-LGBTQ violence. (Read all about it here)

My Sister the Serial Killer — Oyinkan Braithwaite (Published 2019, 242 pages)

Three words for this one “Short and Evil”. I’ll just leave this concise blurb here:

When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defense and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away.

Not completely up my alley — but then again — anything Longlisted for the Booker Prize (like this one) is usually a little quirky.

I Do Not Come to You by Chance — Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani (Published 2009, 402 pages)

Remember those Nigerian email scams? Did you ever wonder who the people were behind them, promising millions in riches? Then meet Kingsley, fresh out of University and believing through education and wisdom that anything is possible. But following a family tragedy, he learns that in Nigeria — it’s money that does the talking. And that is the prelude to his new career in his Uncle’s email scam empire. Winner of the Commonwealth Book Award this was a darkly funny and touching story of a young man who just wants to do the best for his family.

Foreign Gods Inc — Okey Ndibe (Published 2014, 337 Pages)

A look at the immigrant life of a Nigerian man in America, here we are introduced to Ike, a New York-based Nigerian cab driver (despite his degree in economics from a major American college) barred from the white-collar world. Turning to gambling, his life begins to unravel — until he sets on a mission back to Nigeria to steal the statue of an ancient war deity from his home village and sell it to a New York gallery. Another story that gives us insights into the struggle of being one person in a foreign country.

The Girl with the Louding Voice — Abi Dare (Published 2020, 320 Pages)

After this made all of my Top Read’s list for 2020, and having recommended it to about eleventy million people, this book will stay with me for a long time. An incredible debut, it is the story of Adunni, a 14 year old Nigerian girl who wants her ‘lauding voice’ (i.e. to be educated), and what follows is an adventure that takes her from slave to runaway to wife. Narrated in Nigerian patois, this is a fierce book that will grab you from the start. As an aside, it also wins my unofficial best cover art of the list.