Top Nigerian Novels & Authors

Nigeria has produced a plethora of remarkable novels that have captivated readers around the world. From thought-provoking narratives that delve into the complexities of Nigerian society to poignant tales of love, loss, and resilience, the Nigerian literary landscape is brimming with exceptional works. This article aims to celebrate the literary brilliance of Nigeria by presenting a comprehensive list of Nigerian novels and their esteemed authors. Read on to the last punctuation mark and see the novels that will interest you to read.

LIST OF TOP NIGERIAN NOVELS AND THEIR AUTHORS

Nigeria has a rich literary tradition with numerous talented authors who have written remarkable novels. Here is a list of some notable Nigerian novels and their authors, along with brief explanations:

“THINGS FALL APART” BY CHINUA ACHEBE

Things Fall Apart is a groundbreaking work in Nigerian literature. This novel explores the impact of colonialism on traditional African society through the life of the protagonist, Okonkwo.

“HALF OF A YELLOW SUN” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

This story was set during the Nigerian-Biafran War. This novel portrays the lives of several characters as they navigate love, politics, and the consequences of war.

“THE CONCUBINE” BY ELECHI AMADI

“The Concubine” is a renowned novel written by Elechi Amadi, a Nigerian author. Set in a traditional Igbo community in Eastern Nigeria during the pre-colonial era, the story revolves around the life of a young woman named Ihuoma. The novel explores themes of love, destiny, and the clash between tradition and change.

“THE FAMISHED ROAD” BY BEN OKRI

This magical realist novel follows the adventures of a spirit-child, Azaro, as he experiences the poverty, political turmoil, and spiritual conflicts of Nigeria.

“PURPLE HIBISCUS” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

The story revolves around a young girl, Kambili, who grows up in a strict and oppressive household, exploring themes of family, religion, and personal growth.

“ARROW OF GOD” BY CHINUA ACHEBE

Arrow of God novel delves into the clash between traditional African religion and Christianity, as well as the complex power dynamics within a Nigerian village.

“NO LONGER AT EASE” BY CHINUA ACHEBE

“No Longer at Ease” is a novel written by Chinua Achebe, published in 1960. The novel offers a critical examination of Nigeria’s post-colonial era, highlighting the challenges and contradictions faced by its citizens as they strive for progress and reconcile their heritage with the demands of a new world.

“AMERICANAH” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

This story follows the lives of Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerian lovers who face various challenges as they leave their country to pursue education and new lives abroad.

“ANTHILLS OF THE SAVANNAH” BY CHINUA ACHEBE

This political novel is set in a fictional African country. It explores themes of leadership, corruption, and the struggle for power.

“THE SECRET LIVES OF BABA SEGI’S WIVES” BY LOLA SHONEYIN

This novel provides a satirical portrayal of a polygamous household in contemporary Nigeria, exposing the hidden secrets and tensions among the wives.

“THE PALM-WINE DRINKARD” BY AMOS TUTUOLA

Considered a classic of Nigerian literature, this novel combines folklore, myth, and adventure to tell the story of a man searching for his lost palm-wine tapster.

“AMERICANAH” BY CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah,” follows the lives of Ifemelu and Obinze, a couple who leave Nigeria to pursue their dreams in the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively. The novel delves into themes of love, race, identity, and the immigrant experience.

“THE FISHERMEN” BY CHIGOZIE OBIOMA

Set in a Nigerian town, the story revolves around four brothers and the tragic events that befall them after they encounter a local madman. The novel explores themes of family, fate, and the consequences of choices.

“GHANA MUST GO” BY TAIYE SELASI

Taiye Selasi, a Nigerian-Ghanaian author, wrote “Ghana Must Go,” published in 2013. The novel centers around the Sais, a family living in Ghana and the United States, as they come together after the death of their patriarch.

“OIL ON WATER” BY HELON HABILA

Set in the Niger Delta, the novel follows the journey of a young journalist as he investigates the kidnapping of a British oil engineer by militants. Habila delves into the environmental degradation caused by the oil industry and raises questions about media ethics and social responsibility.

“UNDER THE UDALA TREES” BY CHINELO OKPARANTA

Set during the Nigerian Civil War, it tells the story of Ijeoma, a young girl who falls in love with another girl. The novel explores themes of love, sexuality, and the societal pressures faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria.

“MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER” BY OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE

Oyinkan Braithwaite’s “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” is a darkly comedic novel. It follows the story of Korede, a nurse in Lagos, whose younger sister Ayoola has a habit of killing her boyfriends.

“WELCOME TO LAGOS” BY CHIBUNDU ONUZO

“Welcome to Lagos” is a novel that revolves around a diverse group of individuals who come together in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling city. It explores themes of friendship, corruption, and the pursuit of a better

Top 50 Nigerian Novels and Their Authors

Here’s a list of 50 Nigerian novels and their authors.

1. “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe
2. “Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
3. “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4. “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
5. “Arrow of God” by Chinua Achebe
6. “The Famished Road” by Ben Okri
7. “Anthills of the Savannah” by Chinua Achebe
8. “The Palm-Wine Drinkard” by Amos Tutuola
9. “The Concubine” by Elechi Amadi
10. “The Joys of Motherhood” by Buchi Emecheta
11. “Sozaboy” by Ken Saro-Wiwa
12. “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” by Lola Shoneyin
13. “The Bride Price” by Buchi Emecheta
14. “Oil on Water” by Helon Habila
15. “Waiting for an Angel” by Helon Habila
16. “Season of Migration to the North” by Tayeb Salih (Sudanese-Nigerian author)
17. “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” by Amos Tutuola
18. “The River Between” by Elechi Amadi
19. “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born” by Ayi Kwei Armah (Ghanaian-Nigerian author)
20. “The Granta Book of the African Short Story” edited by Helon Habila
21. “The Fishermen” by Chigozie Obioma
22. “Welcome to Lagos” by Chibundu Onuzo
23. “Blackass” by A. Igoni Barrett
24. “The Icarus Girl” by Helen Oyeyemi
25. “The House of Hunger” by Dambudzo Marechera (Zimbabwean-Nigerian author)
26. “The Spider King’s Daughter” by Chibundu Onuzo
27. “Dangerous Love” by Ben Okri
28. “The Man Died: Prison Notes” by Wole Soyinka
29. “Memories of My Melancholy Whores” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombian-Nigerian author)
30. “The Rape of Shavi” by Buchi Emecheta
31. “Joy” by Amara Nicole Okolo
32. “Gone to the Forest” by Chioma Okereke
33. “Butterfly Fish” by Irenosen Okojie
34. “We Need New Names” by NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwean-Nigerian author)
35. “The Foreigner’s God” by Lọlá Shónẹ́yìn
36. “The Orchid Protocol” by Onochie Onyekwena
37. “The Sorrow’s Joy” by Okey Ndibe
38. “The Last Days at Forcados High School” by A.H. Mohammed
39. “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi
40. “The Death of Kings” by Sefi Atta
41. “And After Many Days” by Jowhor Ile
42. “Radiant Sunsets” by Shimmer Chinodya
43. “The Joys of Motherhood” by Buchi Emecheta
44. “Secret Lives” by Alabi Olusola
45. “Born on a Tuesday” by Elnathan John
46. “The Memory of Love” by Aminatta Forna
47. “The Housemaid” by Amma Darko
48. “The Icarus Girl” by Helen Oyeyemi
49. “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” by Amos Tutuola
50. ”Graceland” by Chris Abani

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the most prominent and influential works in Nigerian literature.