A beginner's guide to loving Nigerian fiction

I was never a huge fan of Nigerian books.

 I grew up on Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens and Shakespeare, so one thing is guaranteed– I love a good romcom, mystery and grass-to-grace storyline.

Naturally,that shaped my reading taste.

Highschool introduced me to the world of Nigerian literature, and the few I encountered in my teenage years didn't quite pull me in. Things Fall Apart felt too formal, the writing style too serious for teenage me to relax and comprehend.

The joys of motherhood didn't stand a chance either– I was 14 and I knew motherhood could not be that joyful so I never read it and completely dismissed it. 

Ironically, here I am now– recommending Nigerian books I absolutely enjoyed and a sneak peak to my every growing reading list. Somewhere along the way, my perspective has shifted and these books played a major role in that change. 

Let's start up strong with a quote from 

• The secret lives of baba segi's wives by Lola Shoneyin.

"Men are like yams, you cut them how you like it. "

This is hands down my favorite quotes from Nigerian literature. I still cackle whenever I remember this quote.

This quote was the root of Baba Segi's problem and he had a lot of them coupled with a debt he never knew he owed his first wife and his unending quest for more wives.

What stood out for me was its numerous points of view, you are able to see what's going on in every character's head, their thought patterns, what their past looks like and how their trauma frames their decisions .

 A closer look at the wives.

Iya Segi: She was raised to be a woman who took business and money seriously. She didn't love Baba Segi but she found a way to ensure he always had kids and her money stayed protected. She controlled the narrative and saw Bolanle as a threat to power. She didn't have a lot of issues and just wanted to be close to her money.

Iya Tope: I truly wanted to like her character but she tested my patience repeatedly. I only forgive her because you can't go to war with a wooden sword. I wish she developed a stronger sense of self and stood up for herself more often.

Iya Femi: Her character was initially sad but eventually unsettling for me, she cloaked herself in Christianity and proceeded to nurse a pain that turned into cruelty. She is a clear reminder that unhealed wounds don't disappear, they evolve. 

Bolanle: Her journey in this book was one of self - discovery, she always stood her ground and just wanted to survive. She needed to find herself and she did. 

This book taught me to look beyond surface appearances, find comfort even in adversity, and search for a way to grow in any situation instead of being bitter and vicious. It's layered, thought provoking and realistic. I'd rate it a 10/10.

A FOREVER KIND OF LOVE BY ADESUWA NWOKEDI 

There is something about a good enemies to lovers storyline. From the Malomo series, Nonso and Zinna have been recurring characters in the previous books in this series and their hatred for each other waxed stronger in each book. 

The tension builds up as you read each book in the series and as usual, Adesuwa Nwokedi did it justice. 

You know how most people go on about If you're tired of the narrative that Nigerian books are tragic and emotionally draining, this one offers a refreshing alternative. The only trauma you might experience is the kind reserved for people who are single and painfully aware of it. Their story builds up beautifully, their chemistry unmatched, the storyline realistic , and the secondary characters perfect. It is that good. I appreciate how the author explored family manipulation– particularly the subtle yet powerful hold his family had on him for years. The secondary characters were well developed and added depth rather than distraction. I'd rate it an 8/10. 

STAY WITH ME BY AYOBAMI ADEBAYO

“Pride goes before a fall” is the phrase that always comes to my mind whenever I pick up this book. 

Akin and Yejide were the uni IT couple that eventually got married, full of hope and promise. However, the pressure of childbirth drained their love, replacing it with desperation. Yejide longing became consuming, desperate enough to get played, desperate enough to lose two kids, desperate enough to almost lose herself in the process. Akin, a man whose ego is too fragile to be bruised and a mother-in-law so overbearing, she never thought her perfect son could be the issue. While Akin eventually paid the price, Yejide paid the heavier price, she missed out on core moments of her child's life.

Reading Stay With Me made me think a lot about how easily women’s pain is explained away in the name of marriage, culture, and patience. Yejide’s story stayed with me, not just because of what she lost, but because of how alone she was in her suffering. Everyone had expectations of her, yet no one truly protected her. It’s one of those books that lingers quietly. You don’t finish it and move on, you sit with it. It reminded me that love, when mixed with pride and silence, can become just as damaging as cruelty.

Why Nigerian Fiction Now Resonates With Me

One thing I have come to deeply appreciate about Nigerian books is how realistic they are. The stories are filled with everyday realities, family expectations, cultural pressures and difficult but necessary conversations. They reflect lives we recognize, issues we discuss in whispers, and lessons thamt are both uncomfortable and undeniable.

My Current TBR (To-be-read) List 

Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku

The Judge’s Secrets by Amaka Azie

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

I can't wait to dive into these books, one thing I have come to learn about Nigerian literature is you never know what to really expect and my journey is about to take a huge turn.