25 Powerful Books About Nigeria & Nigerian Culture
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Explore fantastic books about Nigeria as well as popular and famous Nigerian novels and authors to read before you go.
Are you searching for books set in Nigeria to read before you travel there?
We just love picking up destination books to transport us abroad, setting the backdrop as well as teaching us more.
Below, uncover Nigerian books that showcase the effects of colonialism, war, immigration, and migration. Oftentimes, these books also teach us about identity, trauma, grief, friendship, family, love, and marriage.
Then, find popular Nigerian novels about the LGBT community, magic, polygamy, and, well, murderous sisters…
We loved fictional Nigerian books like Ties That Tether (romance), The Death Of Vivek Oji (LGBT+), and My Sister, the Serial Killer (slasher noir).
Lastly, meet popular Nigerian authors to add to your reading list, including Oyinkan Braithwaite, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chinua Achebe, and Akwaeke Emezi.
Be sure to let us know your favorite books by Nigerian authors in the comments. We are always adding to our reading lists. Let’s get started!
Discover even more books set, about, and from Africa.
Find even more great Nigerian books here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
Best Books About Nigeria & Nigerian Culture And History
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
From Nigerian-Welsh author, Natasha Bowen, find a mermaid tale rooted in Western African mythology.
The goddess Yemoja transforms Simidele into a Mami Wata when her captors throw her into the ocean, killing her.
While grateful and tasked with the important job of seeing equally discarded souls back home, Simi can’t seem to let go of her human roots.
When Simi finds Kola dying in the water, she has to save him. She has no idea how such an action will upset the Supreme Creator, Olodumare, risking the extinction of the Mami Wata.
Kola and Simi begin a dangerous journey to save all that they know and love while also falling for each other, which as you can imagine, breaks another rule.
Books about Nigeria and West African mythology, culture, and history don’t get any more engrossing than Skin of the Sea.
Behind the world of mythical beings, fairies, and temperamental gods, witness the horrors of the slave trade.
Read Skin of the Sea: Amazon | Goodreads
Half Of A Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Said to be one of the best historical fiction books about Nigeria, Half of a Yellow Sun portrays Biafra’s struggle to become an independent republic in the 1960s.
The novel shares just one part of Nigeria’s tumultuous history after British Independence and the Nigerian Civil War, or the Biafran War.
Follow Ugwu, Olanna, and Richard: Ugwu works for a University professor, Olanna is the professor’s mistress, and Richard is a timid British man.
With the advancement of the Nigerian troops, all three must run for their lives to survive.
Half Of A Yellow Sun is a powerful and slow-burn story about colonialism, race, power, class, and love.
Uncover even more books with the color yellow in the title.
Read Half Of A Yellow Sun: Amazon | Goodreads
Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
One of the best newer Nigerian books on this reading list – and for romance lovers – Ties That Tether follows Azere as she battles marrying outside of her culture.
Born in Nigeria, Azere and her family move to Canada. On her father’s deathbed, she promises him that she will marry an Edo man, which is not so easy in Canada.
Enter gorgeous and sincere – and white – Rafael during a one-night stand. Rafael turns out to be Azere’s new coworker, and for many reasons, she cannot let him go.
Azere must determine how to celebrate her Nigerian heritage while remaining true to her heart, even if her mother disowns her. Not to mention that Rafael has a few secrets of his own.
A poignant multicultural romance about love, Igharo examines the battles interracial couples face in themselves and within their families.
Azere is a strong but loyal woman who cannot say no to her stubborn mother.
For fictional books about Nigeria, readers learn more about Nigerian culture along with Rafael. Themes of forgiveness and love encase the plot.
Read Ties That Tether: Amazon | Goodreads
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
One of the must-read Nigerian novels and series includes Chinua Achebe’s The African Trilogy.
The first of the three books, Things Fall Apart portrays European colonialism and its effects on the people of Nigeria.
Things Fall Apart was first published two years before Nigerian Independence from the British in the 1950s and focuses on pre-colonial life.
Okonkwo is a successful farmer – and self-made man – with a family of three wives and many children.
Anger and fear rule his life, though, and readers watch Okonkwo’s reactions as a new power takes over.
Things Fall Apart is also said to be “one of the most beloved novels” by The Great American Read, and Barack Obama called it a “true classic of world literature.”
Read Things Fall Apart: Amazon | Goodreads
More Books By Nigerian Author, Chinua Achebe:
- No Longer at Ease (The African Trilogy Book 2) – The grandson of Okonkwo, Obi, returns from England after finishing his education. He finds himself trapped between two worlds and struggles with the corruption of the ruling elite.
- Arrow Of God (The African Trilogy Book 3) – Rivals threaten Ezeulu, the chief priest of the god Ulu, and his power under the rule of the colonial government. He is prepared to fight at all costs, believing he is indestructible.
- There Was a Country – Achebe’s memoir of the Nigerian Civil War, or Biafran War, of 1967–1970.
- The Trouble With Nigeria – Chinua Achebe examines the problems within Nigeria, such as the failure of leadership, and wishes to inspire Nigerians to reject their prohibiting former habits.
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin
A story about polygamy in modern-day Nigeria, Nigerian poet and writer, Lola Shoneyin, shares the complex life of family politics and polygamous marriages.
Baba Segi isn’t the most desirable of husbands, but his wives all feel that he has saved them from worse fates.
His newest wife, Bolanli, who is educated, upsets the dynamics of his three other wives.
Bolanli cannot conceive, though, and when the other wives attempt to push her from the home, their household falls further apart.
Most exciting for the Nigerian books on this reading list, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is set to become a Netflix TV series.
You know we just love a good book-to-movie adaptation.
Read The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives: Amazon | Goodreads
Even More Books On Nigeria Life, Culture, & History:
Under The Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta – A novel inspired by Nigerian folktales, watch as Ijeoma struggles toward selfhood while Nigeria recovers from war and prejudices.
Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo – Not wanting to kill innocent civilians, Chike Ameobi travels to Lagos and straight into a scandal involving the education minister. Chike pulls together a group of runaways that all want the chance at a better life.
Aké: The Years of Childhood by Wole Soyinka – Nobel Prize-winning Soyinka shares growing up in a Yoruba village in Western Africa before WW2.
Where can you wander next around the African continent? Travel to South Africa with these books.
The Death Of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
For the best books of 2020, The Death of Vivek Oji is one of the must-read LGBTQ+ books set in Nigeria.
You will feel the ambiance and culture of Nigeria in every chapter.
The story begins with the death of Vivek Oji. His naked and bleeding body lay across his mother’s doorstep. No one knows how this cruel tragedy happened.
Throughout the novel, Vivek battles what he feels like inside versus the outside appearances he must keep up for society.
Within the safety net of his cousins’ and childhood friends’ homes, Vivek finds the love, acceptance, and freedom to express himself.
Readers learn the meaning of community as well as what happens when people refuse to recognize and celebrate our differences.
Kavita, Vivek’s mom, is an essential and moving character, and Vivek’s courage is beyond inspiring. The relationships both gripped and broke our hearts.
The Death of Vivek Oji is one of our favorite contemporary books about Nigeria as well as a strong friendship novel.
These days, nonbinary Nigerian author Akwaeke Emezi is an “always-read” author for us. They will touch the core of your heart and soul.
The Death Of Vivek Oji: Amazon | Goodreads
More Nigerian Novels From Akwaeke Emezi:
- Freshwater – Ada is prone to violent fits and develops separate selves. When she leaves Nigeria for college in North Carolina, she becomes powerless against the forces in her mind. Discover even more great books set in North Carolina.
- You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty – One of our top 2022 books, find a passionate and steamy romance about loving yourself, life, and others after heartbreaking tragedy and insurmountable grief.
- Pet – One of our favorite fantasy audiobooks and a National Book Award finalist, Jam and her best friend Redemption have been taught their entire lives that monsters are not real. But, when a creature emerges from one of her mom’s paintings, Jam goes on a mission to find out the truth in a society full of denial. Discover even more of the best LGBT fantasy books to read.
Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
In any culture, it’s an age-old (and tired and dated) question meant to make people feel terrible and pressured, “Yinka, where is your huzband?”
But of course, when you are career-driven, have meddling but sweet aunties, and everyone else around you is getting married, this pressure can be immense.
That’s exactly the situation Yinka – a Nigerian woman living in Britain – finds herself in – and she’s been saving herself for true love.
Now searching for a wedding date and equipped with a spreadsheet, Yinka sets out on a journey to find love.
But does she need love from a partner more than she needs to learn to love herself?
For fictional books about Nigeria, you’ll love this feel-good, rom-com that tackles deeper themes of racism, sexism, and navigating multiple cultures.
Read Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?: Amazon | Goodreads
Best Books Set In Nigeria
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
How can such a dark Nigerian novel – and terrific fictional serial killer book – also be so witty, polished, and humorous?
One of the most fast-paced and deeply devourable sister books you’ll ever read, My Sister, the Serial Killer is well worth all of the awards and hype.
Korede has been looking out for her sister, Ayoola, her entire life, which translates to knowing how to use bleach and gloves as well as carrying dead bodies down the stairs without getting caught.
Ayoola is a serial killer, not that you’d expect it with her radiant beauty and charm.
And even though all of Ayoola’s boyfriends end up dead – with little proof that they deserved it – it’s hard to see her as anything but a young woman who loves posting on social media and listening to music on her sister’s bed.
When Ayoola starts to fall for Korede’s own love interest, a handsome doctor at the hospital, Korede cannot let this relationship continue. Or the killing…
Not to mention that the man in a coma she whispers her darkest secrets to could potentially wake up one day.
One of our all-time favorite Nigerian novels, explore sisterly love, familial protection (and failure), murder, and violence.
See the effects of trauma and childhood abuse in one thrilling and debut modern noir, begging the question, who is worse: the killer or the enabler?
Read My Sister, the Serial Killer: Amazon | Goodreads
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Set in Enugu, Nigeria, brother and sister – Kambili and Jaja – live sheltered yet wealthy and privileged lives.
Although their home situation looks fortunate from the outside, their father, Eugene, is a cruel religious fanatic who dictates their lives.
Against the backdrop of a military coup, Eugene allows his sister to shelter the children, where they struggle to adapt to a different type of family life and values.
It is here that Kambili falls in love with a celibate priest.
Set amid both domestic and political tension and violence, Purple Hibiscus is a coming-of-age story and one of the best books about Nigeria where the imagery seeps off of the pages.
Read Purple Hibiscus: Amazon | Goodreads
More Nigerian Books From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie:
- Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Ifemelu leaves Nigeria for America where she feels what it is like to be Black for the first time. Expecting to join her, Obinze gets trapped undocumented in London. It’s over a decade later before they reunite in a new Nigeria.
- Zikora: A Short Story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – A short story that you can read in under one hour, DC Nigerian-born Zikora finds herself pregnant and abandoned by the child’s father. When her mother visits for the birth, she learns more about herself and her family. This is a beautiful quick read about Nigerian families.
Children Of Blood And Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
If you are looking for YA fantasy books set in Nigeria, don’t miss Children Of Blood And Bone – the first in the Legacy of Orisha series.
We loved this fast-paced romance and thriller set in Ilorin.
One night, all of the magic in Orïsha disappears as the king orders all of the maji dead.
Zélie Adebola sets out against the monarchy to bring back the magic. Zélie is caught off guard when she begins falling for one of the enemies.
Children Of Blood And Bone will most appeal to readers who enjoy stories about star-crossed lovers paired with heavier and emotional themes of racism, culture, and faith.
Children of Virtue and Vengeance is the second is this YA series.
Read Children Of Blood And Bone: Amazon | Goodreads
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
One of the best books set in Nigeria for younger readers, witch lovers, and Harry Potter fans, be sure to pick up Akata Witch.
Magic meets feminism and friendship in this fast-paced fantasy world. And like Children Of Blood And Bone, Akata Witch is also a book about racism.
Born in America but Nigerian, Sunny and her overprotective family move back to Nigeria.
Sunny is bullied in school for being an albino and feels like an outcast until she meets three new friends – all bound together by powerful secrets.
Sunny and her friends must stop an evil and magical criminal before it’s too late.
Find another one of Nnedi Okorafor’s books, Remote Control, on our Ghanaian novels reading list.
Read Akata Witch: Amazon | Goodreads
Even More Nigerian Novels:
- The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré – One of the most popular books about Nigeria, The Girl With The Louding Voice is a coming-of-age story. Adunni wants to build a better life for herself and receive an education to become a teacher. She escapes an arranged marriage as a third wife but ends up employed and abused in another household.
- Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ – Set in Ilesa, Nigeria, Yejide and Akin never believed in having a polygamous marriage. When Yejide cannot conceive, though, a second wife enters the scene.
Famous & Popular Nigerian Authors
Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe was born in 1930 and passed away in March 2013. He was an acclaimed Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He published his first novel, Things Fall Apart in 1958 and helped revive African literature.
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ is an award-winning Nigerian author. She holds BA and MA degrees in Literature in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Stay With Me is her debut novel.
Tomi Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American author. Children Of Blood and Bone was her first YA bestselling fantasy novel and is set to become a movie. She is a Harvard University graduate.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an award-winning and bestselling author who grew up in Nigeria. She is also a TED Talk speaker and MacArthur Foundation Fellow.
Abi Daré
Abi Daré is an award-winning Nigerian author who grew up in Lagos. She now resides in the UK with her family. Daré holds an MSc in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University and an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck, University of London.
Akwaeke Emezi
Akwaeke Emezi is an artist and award-winning writer. Born in Umuahia and raised in Aba, Nigeria, they write nonfiction, fiction, and YA books. Emezi is an advocate for Black Trans rights.
Jane Igharo
Similar to Azere in Ties That Tether, Jane Abieyuwa Igharo was born in Nigeria and moved to Canada. Igharo holds a journalism degree from the University of Toronto. Ties that Tether is her debut novel.
Nnedi Okorafor
Nnedi Okorafor is an award-winning Nigerian-American sci-fi and fantasy author for adults and children. Nnedi has a Ph.D. in literature and two Master’s degrees in journalism and literature.
Wole Soyinka
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, or Wole Soyinka, is a 1986 Nobel laureate. He grew up in Abeokuta, in Western Nigeria, and is a Nigerian playwright, actor, poet, and essayist. Soyinka wrote in English. Yoruba myths, his life in exile and prison, and politics influenced his writings.
Grab all of your favorite Nigerian books here:
- Audible Plus: From Amazon, listen to Amazon Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks. They add new titles every week.
- Book of the Month: Get the month’s hottest new and upcoming titles from Book of the Month. You might snag an early release or debut author. Along with selecting a book a month, find terrific add-ons, both trendy and lesser-known titles.
- Amazon Prime Video – Stream thousands of ad-free movies and TV series on demand with Prime Video.
Save Your Favorite Nigerian Books For Later:
What other books about or set In Nigeria have you read? Do you have a favorite Nigerian author?
Who are your favorite Nigerian authors, and what Nigerian novels have you read already? What nonfiction books have taught you more? What is on your TBR list? Let us know in the comments.
I absolutely love reading books set in Africa. I have read most of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s works, except for that short story. I will have to check that one out soon. A lot of these books I hadn’t previously heard of, so I will have to make an effort to read some of them. I have several of Chinua Achebe’s books on my TBR so hopefully, I will get to at least one of them this year.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story, Zikora, is a fabulous quick read. A few readers mentioned some great Nigerian books that I also need to look into to add. Like you, Chinua Achebe’s books are on my to-read list. I’m hoping to read many more books set in Africa this year. I’d love to travel around the African continent one day, too.
Excellent post! I’ve discovered several new Nigerian authors to add to my to-read list.
I would highly recommend Buchi Emecheta, she’s a very famous Nigerian author and her books are so powerful. I’ve read three of her books so far and my favourite is Second-Class Citizen.
Nnedi Okorafor is an American-Nigerian and wrote a fantastic sci-fi novel set in Lagos, called Lagoon which I also loved and would also just recommend all her work.
Hey Sarah, Thank you so much for the added suggestions. I really appreciate it, especially since there are so many great books set in Nigeria out there. Nnedi Okorafor recently had a new release or two that I was eyeing. I totally forgot about her novels — and that’s a great sci-fi suggestion to fill in that gap on this list.
Thank you SO much for this list! My granddaughter is half Nigerian, so I’m very interested in the country. I’ve already read “The Death of Vivek Oji”. I will read everything on this list.
Thank you so much! I don’t know a lot about Nigeria (and have yet to visit), and I wanted to learn more, too. I’d be curious what your granddaughter’s favorite books about Nigeria are and if she loves a specific Nigerian author or two.