Are you looking for a list of popular Nigerian novels? Or maybe you are looking for more novels written by famous authors in Nigeria. You’ve come to the right place, as in this article, we’ll be looking at a list of Nigerian novels and their authors. This list is a list of some of the most famous Nigerian novels and their authors.
A List of Nigerian Novels and Their Authors
Nigeria is a country with a rich literary tradition. Over the years, Nigerian writers have
produced some of the most acclaimed novels in the world. These novels explore the
challenges of everyday life, the complexities of the human condition, and many more.
Here is a list of some of the most famous Nigerian novels and their authors:
1. Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe: This novel tells the story of Okonkwo, a
proud and ambitious Igbo man who struggles to maintain his traditional way of life in the face
of British colonialism.
2. Arrow of God (1964) by Chinua Achebe: This novel tells the story of Ezeulu, a traditional
Igbo priest who is caught up in the conflict between the old ways and the new.
3. The Joys of Motherhood (1959) by Buchi Emecheta: This novel tells the story of Nnu Ego,
a Nigerian woman who struggles to raise her children in a society that does not value her.
4. Purple Hibiscus (2003) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: This novel tells the story of
Kambili, a young Nigerian girl who comes of age during a time of political unrest.
5. Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: This novel tells the story of
two young women whose lives are changed forever by the Nigerian Civil War.
6. My Sister, the Serial Killer (2017) by Oyinkan Braithwaite: This novel tells the story of
Korede, a young woman who is forced to confront her dark side when her sister, Ayoola,
becomes a serial killer.
7. Stay With Me (2019) by Ayobami Adebayo: This novel tells the story of Yejide, a Nigerian
woman who struggles to maintain her marriage when her husband takes a second wife.
8. Homegoing (2016) by Yaa Gyasi: This novel tells the story of two half-sisters who are
separated at birth and their descendants over the course of three centuries.
7. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives (2010) by Lola Shoneyin: This novel tells the story
of the four wives of a wealthy Nigerian man who are forced to share his bed and his secrets.
8. Freshwater (2013) by Akwaeke Emezi: This novel tells the story of Ada, a young Nigerian
woman who is possessed by four spirits.
9. Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) is considered one of the greatest African writers of all time.
His 1958 novel Things Fall Apart is a classic of modern African literature. It tells the story of
Okonkwo, a proud and ambitious Igbo man who struggles to maintain his traditional way of
life in the face of British colonialism.
10. Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017) is another important figure in Nigerian literature. Her 1959
novel The Joys of Motherhood is a powerful and moving story about the challenges faced by
Nigerian women.
11. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 1977) is one of the most celebrated writers of her
generation. Her novels, Purple Hibiscus (2003) and Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), have won
numerous awards and been translated into many languages.
12. Oyinkan Braithwaite (born 1988) is a young Nigerian writer who has quickly made a
name for herself with her debut novel, My Sister, the Serial Killer (2017). This darkly comic
novel tells the story of Korede, a young woman who is forced to confront her dark side when
her sister, Ayoola, becomes a serial killer.
13. Ayobami Adebayo (born 1988) is another young Nigerian writer who has won critical
acclaim for her work. Her novel Stay With Me (2019) tells the story of Yejide, a Nigerian
woman who struggles to maintain her marriage when her husband takes a second wife.
14. Yaa Gyasi (born 1989) is a Ghanaian-American writer who was born in Ghana but raised
in the United States. Her novel Homegoing (2016) tells the story of two half-sisters who are
separated at birth and their descendants over the course of three centuries.
15. Lola Shoneyin (born 1976) is a Nigerian writer who is known for her witty and insightful
novels. Her novel The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives (2010) tells the story of the four
wives of a wealthy Nigerian man who are forced to share his bed and his secrets.
16. Akwaeke Emezi (born 1987) is a Nigerian-American writer who identifies as non-binary.
Their novel Freshwater (2013) tells the story of Ada, a young Nigerian woman who is
possessed by four spirits.
17. The Virgin of the Delta by Zaynab Alkali (1983): This novel tells the story of a young
woman who is forced to choose between her traditional culture and her modern aspirations.
18. The Masquerade by Elechi Amadi (1966): This novel tells the story of a young man who
is caught up in the conflict between tradition and modernity in his village.
19. Ties That Bind by Flora Nwapa (1966): This novel tells the story of two sisters who are
torn apart by their different choices in life.
20. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Amos Tutuola (1958): This novel is a dreamlike
and surreal story about a young man’s journey to find meaning in life.
21. The Road by Ben Okri (1991): This novel is a magical realist story about a young man's
journey of self-discovery.
22. Nebulae by Helon Habila (2006): This novel tells the story of a young man who is forced
to flee his home during the Nigerian Civil War.
23. Graceland by Chris Abani (2004): This novel tells the story of a young Nigerian man who
travels to America in search of a better life.
24. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013): This novel tells the story of a young
Nigerian woman who moves to America and experiences culture shock.
25. Long Things by Irenosen Okojie (2020): This novel is a collection of short stories that
explore the lives of women in Nigeria.
26. The Virgin of the Delta by Zaynab Alkali (1983): This novel tells the story of a young
woman who is forced to choose between her traditional culture and her modern aspirations.
27. The Masquerade by Elechi Amadi (1966): This novel tells the story of a young man who
is caught up in the conflict between tradition and modernity in his village.
28. Ties That Bind by Flora Nwapa (1966): This novel tells the story of two sisters who are
torn apart by their different choices in life.
29. The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Amos Tutuola (1958): This novel is a dreamlike
and surreal story about a young man's journey to find meaning in life.
30. The Road by Ben Okri (1991): This novel is a magical realist story about a young man's
journey of self-discovery.
31. Nebulae by Helon Habila (2006): This novel tells the story of a young man who is forced
to flee his home during the Nigerian Civil War.
32. Graceland by Chris Abani (2004): This novel tells the story of a young Nigerian man who
travels to America in search of a better life.
33. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013): This novel tells the story of a young
Nigerian woman who moves to America and experiences culture shock.
34. Long Things by Irenosen Okojie (2020): This novel is a collection of short stories that
explore the lives of women in Nigeria.
35. The Book of Night Women by Nalo Hopkinson (2009): This novel is a historical fantasy
story about a young woman who is sold into slavery in 19th-century Jamaica.
36. The Girl with the Loud Voice by Abi Daré (2018): This novel tells the story of a young
Nigerian girl who is forced to marry an older man.
37. The Death of a Good Man by Ike Oguibe (2019): This novel tells the story of a Nigerian
man who is caught up in a web of corruption and violence.
38. Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor (2015–2017): This novel is a science
fiction trilogy about a young woman who travels to a distant planet to study science.
39. Chasing Hares by Helon Habila (2022): This novel tells the story of a young Nigerian
man who is trying to make sense of his life after the Nigerian Civil War.
40. On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe (2010): This novel tells the story of four women
who live on the same street in Lagos.
41. I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Chigozie Obioma (2020): This novel tells the story
of a young man who is sent to live with his uncle in a remote village in Nigeria.
42. The Perishing by Ayobami Adebayo (2021): This novel tells the story of two sisters who
are caught up in a web of violence and corruption.
43. The Breadfruit Tree by Rotimi Babatunde (2022): This novel tells the story of a young
Nigerian man who is trying to make sense of his life after the death of his father.
44. The House of Broken Angels by Lesley Nneka Arimah (2022): This novel tells the story
of a family of Nigerian immigrants in America.
45. The Other Ones by Irenosen Okojie (2021): This novel tells the story of a young woman
who is haunted by the ghosts of her past.
46. The Leaving by Chibundu Onuzo (2022): This novel tells the story of a young woman
who leaves Nigeria to study in England.
47. The Fortune Men by Nadifa Mohamed (2022): This novel tells the story of a young
Somali man who is wrongly accused of a crime and sent to a British prison.
48. The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Sefi Atta (2023): This novel tells the story of a young
woman who is caught up in a web of love, betrayal, and murder.
49. The Marriage of Anansewa by Ama Ata Aidoo (1976): This novel tells the story of a
young woman who is forced to marry a man she does not love.
50. The Death of a Son by Ifeoma Okoye (1993): This novel tells the story of a woman who
loses her son in a car accident.
51. The Rape of Shavi by Ben Okri (1987): This novel is a fantasy story about a young man
who travels to a magical land.
52. Distant Relations by Buchi Emecheta (1982): This novel tells the story of two sisters who
are separated by the Nigerian Civil War.
53. The Joys of Motherhood by Buchi Emecheta (1959): This novel tells the story of a
woman who struggles to raise her children in a society that does not value her.
54. The Wanderers by Sefi Atta (2006): This novel tells the story of a young woman who
travels to London in search of a better life.
Note: These are just a few of the many great Nigerian novels that have been written.
Nigerian literature is a vibrant and diverse field, and there is something for everyone to
enjoy.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a good read, we encourage you to pick up a Nigerian novel. you won’t
be disappointed. We hope you find a novel that you love!
I hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any further questions, please
do not hesitate to ask.