Famous Nigerian Writers

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 1 
Chinua Achebe
(Nigerian novelist)
Chinua Achebe
4
Birthdate: November 16, 1930
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ogidi, Nigeria Protectorate
Died: March 21, 2013

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian poet, novelist, professor, and critic. Often described as Africa's greatest storyteller, Achebe is widely regarded as the father of modern African writing. He was the recipient of several awards and honors, including the Man Booker International Prize 2007. His novel Things Fall Apart is one of the most read books in Africa.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
6
Birthdate: September 15, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian writer and feminist. She is popular for writing novels, such as Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun. She is credited with popularizing African literature among a new generation of readers, especially in the United States. In 2015, she was named in Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People.

 3 
Wole Soyinka
(Author, Poet, Playwright)
Wole Soyinka
4
Birthdate: July 13, 1934
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Abeokuta

Wole Soyinka is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist. In 1986, he became the first sub-Saharan African to be honored with the Nobel Prize in Literature. As a young man, he worked with the Royal Court Theatre in London. In Nigeria, he was actively involved in the country’s freedom struggle. He has taught at various international universities.

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 4 
Ken Saro-Wiwa
(Nigerian Writer & Environmental Activist Who Led Nonviolent Campaigns Against Environmental Degradation)
Ken Saro-Wiwa
4
Birthdate: October 10, 1941
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bori, Nigeria
Died: November 10, 1995
Ken Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer, environmental activist, and television producer. He is best remembered for leading nonviolent campaigns against environmental degradation of Ogoniland, home to the Ogoni people of Nigeria. Ken Saro-Wiwa's life and career inspired a couple of novels, namely The Other Side of Truth and Eclipse.  
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 5 
Ben Okri
(Distinguished Nigerian Poet and Novelist Who Won Booker Prize for His Novel ‘The Famished Road’)
Ben Okri
4
Birthdate: March 15, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minna, Nigeria

Distinguished Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri OBE FRSL is counted among the leading African authors in the post-modern and post-colonial traditions. His 1991 novel The Famished Road led him to become the youngest-ever winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. Other notable works of Okri includes A Way of Being Free, A Time for New Dreams and Starbook.

 6 
Buchi Emecheta
(Nigerian-born Novelist)
Buchi Emecheta
3
Birthdate: July 21, 1944
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Yaba Department
Died: January 25, 2017

Nigerian-born novelist Buchi Emecheta OBE, who was based in the UK since 1962, gained critical-acclaim and recognition for her literary works with themes including child-slavery, female independence, motherhood and freedom through education. Notable works of Emecheta include novels like Second Class CitizenThe Bride PriceThe Joys of Motherhood and The Slave Girl. The latter won her Jock Campbell Award

 7 
Gabriel Okara
(Nigerian Novelist and Poet Who was the First Poet of Anglophone African Origin to Embrace Modernism)
Gabriel Okara
2
Birthdate: April 24, 1921
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Eastern Region, Nigeria
Died: March 25, 2019
Gabriel Okara was a Nigerian novelist and poet best remembered for his experimental novel, The Voice. Over the course of his career, Okara won several prestigious awards such as the Commonwealth Poetry Prize and the Nigeria Prize for Literature. Nicknamed the Nigerian Negritudist, Gabriel Okara was the first poet of Anglophone African origin to embrace modernism.
 8 
Ola Rotimi
(One of the Most Important Playwrights of Nigeria)
Ola Rotimi
2
Birthdate: April 13, 1938
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ilesa, Nigeria
Died: August 18, 2000
Ola Rotimi was a Nigerian theatre director and playwright. Counted among the most important playwrights of Nigeria, Rotimi also worked as an actor, choreographer, and designer. Ola Rotimi also contributed as a teacher as he taught at the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he established the Ori Olokun Acting Company.
 9 
Amos Tutuola
(Nigerian Writer Who Wrote in English)
Amos Tutuola
2
Birthdate: June 20, 1920
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Abeokuta, Nigeria
Died: June 8, 1997
Amos Tutuola was a Nigerian writer who wrote his novels in English. Many of his works were influenced by the folk tales of the Yoruba people. Amos Tutuola is credited with co-founding The Mbari Club, a centre for cultural activity.
 10 
J. P. Clark
(Nigerian Playwright and Poet Who is Counted Among Africa's Most Important Authors of All Time)
J. P. Clark
3
Birthdate: April 6, 1935
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kiagbodo, Nigeria
Died: October 13, 2020
J. P. Clark was a Nigerian playwright and poet. He is credited with founding the PEC Repertory Theatre alongside his wife Ebun Odutola. Counted among Africa's most important authors of all time, Clark won many prestigious awards including the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award. J. P. Clark also contributed as an editor of magazines like Black Orpheus. 
 11 
Christopher Okigbo
(Nigerian Poet Who is Considered One of the 20th Century's Major Modernist Writers)
Christopher Okigbo
2
Birthdate: August 16, 1932
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ojoto, Nigeria
Died: August 31, 1967
Christopher Okigbo was a Nigerian poet, librarian, and teacher. Today, he is regarded as an important postcolonial English-language African poet. He is also considered one of the 20th century's major modernist writers. Also an accomplished soldier, Christopher Okigbo was killed in action while fighting for the independence of Biafra. 
 12 
Cyprian Ekwensi
(Nigerian Author, Pharmacist and Broadcaster)
Cyprian Ekwensi
2
Birthdate: September 26, 1921
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Minna, Nigeria
Died: November 4, 2007

Nigerian author, pharmacist and broadcaster Cyprian Ekwensi MFR is best-remembered for authoring novels like People of the City and Jagua Nana. His oeuvre also includes short-stories, children's books and radio and television scripts. Ekwensi served as Head of Features at Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, as Director of Nigerian Ministry of Information and as chair of Bureau for External Publicity of Biafra.   

 13 
Flora Nwapa
(Nigerian Author and Mother of Modern African Literature)
Flora Nwapa
3
Birthdate: January 13, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oguta, Nigeria
Died: October 16, 1993
Flora Nwapa was a Nigerian author best remembered for her debut novel Efuru, which achieved international recognition. She is credited with founding Tana Press in 1970, becoming one of the first women publishers from Africa. Flora Nwapa is widely regarded as a predecessor to a generation of women writers in Africa.
 14 
Okwui Enwezor
(Nigerian Writer, Poet, Art Critic, Curator, and Educator.)
Okwui Enwezor
2
Birthdate: October 23, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Calabar, Nigeria
Died: March 15, 2019
Okwui Enwezor was a Nigerian writer, poet, art critic, curator, and educator. Enwezor, who specialized in art history, was honored with the Frank Jewett Mather Award in 2006. In 2014, Okwui Enwezor was mentioned in ArtReview magazine's 100 most powerful people of the art world list.
 15 
Chris Abani
(Nigerian-American Author and Playwright Who is Known for His Controversial Books and Anti-Government Plays)
Chris Abani
0
Birthdate: December 27, 1966
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Chris Abani is a Nigerian-American author and playwright best known for his controversial books and anti-government plays. He was imprisoned in Nigeria on three occasions for his anti-government novels before he moved to the USA. Chris Abani is the recipient of many prestigious awards such as the Edgar Award, Imbongi Yesizwe Poetry International Award, and PEN Award.
 16 
Daniel O. Fagunwa
(Nigerian Author who Pioneered the Yoruba-language Novel)
Daniel O. Fagunwa
2
Birthdate: 1903 AD
Birthplace: Okeigbo, Nigeria
Died: December 9, 1963
Daniel O. Fagunwa was a Nigerian author best remembered for pioneering the Yoruba-language novel. Many of his works were translated into several languages including English and Italian. An important literary figure, Daniel O. Fagunwa was honored with the Margaret Wrong Prize in 1955. 
 17 
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
(Expert on African Agriculture and Social Innovation)
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli
0
Birthdate: March 22, 1975
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Enugu, Nigeria
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is an author, entrepreneur, public speaker, and consultant. She is as an expert on African agriculture and social innovation. Over the years, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli has worked closely with several non-profit organizations. She is also credited with founding two nonprofits, namely Ndu Ike Akunuba and LEAP Africa.
 18 
Ukawsaw Gronniosaw
(The First Published African Writer in Britain)
Ukawsaw Gronniosaw
0
Birthdate: 1705 AD
Birthplace: Nigeria
Died: September 28, 1775
Ukawsaw Gronniosaw was an enslaved man who is regarded as the first published African writer in Britain. Best remembered for his 1772 narrative autobiography, Gronniosaw became the first man to publish a slave narrative in England. Ukawsaw Gronniosaw's narrative was later adapted into a short animation film titled The Most Remarkable Particulars.
 19 
Kola Ogunmola
(Noted Nigerian Dramatist and Actor Known for Developing Yoruba Culture Into a Significant Theatre Form)
Kola Ogunmola
1
Birthdate: November 11, 1925
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Okemesi, Nigeria
Died: 1973 AD

Nigerian dramatist, mime, director, actor and playwright Kola Ogunmola, counted among most remarkable actors in Africa during the 1950s and ’60s, is best-remembered for developing Yoruba culture, particularly folk opera, into a significant theatre form. He did so by travelling extensively and staging his works through his Ogunmola Travelling Theatre. His popular plays include Love for Money and Palmwine Drinkard.

 20 
A. Igoni Barrett
(Nigerian Novelist and Short Story Writer)
A. Igoni Barrett
0
Birthdate: March 26, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Port Harcourt, Nigeria
A. Igoni Barrett is a Nigerian novelist and short story writer. Best known for his debut novel Blackass, Barrett was named among other influential writers in Africa39's list of authors aged under 40 in 2014. A. Igoni Barrett was also a recipient of a Charles Dickens Award at the 2021 International London Literary Award.
 21 
T.M. Aluko
(Writer)
T.M. Aluko
2
Birthdate: July 14, 1918
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ilesa, Nigeria
Died: May 1, 2010
T. M. Aluko was a Nigerian writer who also held several administrative posts in Nigeria. Some of his best known novels include One Man, One Wife, Kinsman and Foreman, and One Man, One Matchet. T. M. Aluko is also remembered for his autobiography titled My Years of Service.
 22 
Kole Omotoso
(Nigerian Intellectual and Writer)
Kole Omotoso
1
Birthdate: April 21, 1943
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Akure, Nigeria
Kole Omotoso is a Nigerian intellectual and writer. He is best known for his fictional works. Omotoso is also known for appearing in a series of TV advertisements for Vodacom mobile phones in which he portrayed Yebo Gogo man in the mid-1990s and 2010s.
 23 
Onuora Nzekwu
(Nigerian Writer, Editor, and Professor)
Onuora Nzekwu
2
Birthdate: February 19, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kafanchan, Nigeria
Died: April 21, 2017
Onuora Nzekwu was a Nigerian writer, editor, and professor. He is best remembered for his novels, Wand of Noble Wood and Eze Goes to School. Onuora Nzekwu also worked for the Nigerian government for 39 years, during which he took up several administrative roles. 
 24 
Solomon Babalola
(Poet, Academic, and Scholar Who Introduced Yoruba Folk Tales to the Younger Generation of Readers)
Solomon Babalola
0
Birthdate: December 17, 1926
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ipetumodu, Nigeria
Died: December 15, 2008
Solomon Babalola was a Nigerian poet, academic, and scholar. After starting his career as a teacher, Babalola went on to serve as the principal of Igbobi College, becoming the school's first African principal. As a poet, Solomon Babalola worked towards introducing the Yoruba folk tales to the younger generation of readers. 
 25 
Sankie Maimo
(Writer and School Teacher)
Sankie Maimo
0
Birthdate: 1930 AD
Birthplace: Unknown
Died: September 4, 2013
Sankie Maimo was a Nigerian writer and school teacher. He is credited with founding a journal called Cameroon Voice in 1955. Sankie Maimo is also remembered for writing a children's book titled Adventuring with Jaja, which promoted the adoption of European values in order to put Africa on the world stage.
 26 
James Ene Henshaw
(Playwright)
James Ene Henshaw
2
Birthdate: August 29, 1924
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Calabar, Nigeria
Died: August 16, 2007
James Ene Henshaw was a Nigerian playwright best remembered for his simple yet popular plays. Many of his plays have been widely read and staged in Nigeria. James Ene Henshaw's works have also influenced several writers and playwrights in Nigeria.