The best.
What truly makes a writer the best? Is it the quality of their writing, the number of book sales they make, or the online followership they pull?
In an age where popularity often means success, it can be hard to say who the best writers of contemporary Nigerian literature truly are.
Without further ado, we present our list of the 14 best writers of Nigerian literature, in descending order:
Fatima Bala's book, Broken, is one of the most talked about books of 2024, a top pick for several book clubs and bibliophiles in the country.
Her unique take on love and family is relatable and engaging, addressing how personal principles affect the choices we make.
Oyin Olugbile is a rising star in Nigerian literature.
A gifted writer who should be getting more credit for her storytelling ability, her book, Sanya is characterized by its clarity, emotional depth, and cultural richness, resonating with readers seeking to reconnect with their roots.
Chimeka Garricks is a lawyer-turned-author whose debut novel, Tomorrow Died Yesterday (2010), is a gripping tale set in the Niger Delta. The novel addresses the impact of oil exploration on local communities, blending political commentary with personal stories.
Garricks’ short story collection, A Broken People’s Playlist (2020), further showcases his talent for capturing the nuances of human experiences. His writing is praised for its authenticity, humor, and emotional resonance.
Stephen Buoro has a unique profile for such a gifted writer- his specialty in Mathematics stands alongside a wonderful proficiency for rich prose.
Like Oyin Olugbile, Stephen Buoro is a rising star in Nigerian publishing, and his book The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa is an interesting deviation from the classic themes of trauma and social ill that are found some of the most popular works in the genre.
Boasting one of the trendiest books of the last couple of years, Aiwanose Odafen's debut novel, Tomorrow I Become a Woman (2022) is popular for its themes of love, marriage, and societal expectations in Nigeria.
Odafen’s ability to weave personal and political narratives has earned her a growing readership. Odafen is a promising talent, adding depth and diversity to contemporary Nigerian literature.
Wole Talabi is a leading voice in African science fiction and fantasy, with his works featured in prestigious anthologies and magazines, earning him multiple award nominations. He is also an engineer, blending his technical expertise with creative storytelling.
Talabi’s innovative approach to Africanfuturism has made him a key figure in the genre, inspiring a new generation of writers.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is arguably the most recognized face in Nigerian contemporary publishing, standing out for her bold takes on feminism and social justice issues.
Her famous book, Purple Hibiscus is, in fact, a part of the Literature-in-English curriculum for secondary schools in Nigeria. Other books, like Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun have also gone on to see plenty of commercial success.
Yejide Kilanko is a poet and novelist whose debut, Daughters Who Walk This Path (2012), addresses themes of sexual abuse and resilience in Nigeria.
Kilanko’s writing is deeply empathetic, offering a nuanced portrayal of women’s experiences. Her poetry collection, A Taste of Honey (2018), further showcases her lyrical talent.
Akwaeke Emezi is a nonbinary author whose works span fiction, memoir, and poetry. Their debut novel, Freshwater (2018), is a groundbreaking exploration of identity and spirituality, drawing on Igbo cosmology.
A prolific author, Emezi’s The Death of Vivek Oji (2020) and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty (2022) have further cemented their reputation as a bold and innovative writer.
Eloghosa Osunde is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose debut novel, Vagabonds! (2022), has been widely acclaimed. The novel explores the lives of marginalized individuals in Lagos, blending realism with magical elements.
Osunde ranks highly on our list for her elite prose and wonderful storytelling. Her work has earned her recognition, including the 2021 Plimpton Prize for Fiction.
The Isele Magazine founder, Ukamaka Olisakwe is a brilliant writer, with her novel Ogadinma (2020) popular for its themes of gender, trauma, and resilience.
Olisakwe’s contributions to literature and her advocacy for African voices have solidified her reputation as a significant figure in contemporary Nigerian writing.
Ayobami Adebayo is known for her poignant exploration of relationships and societal expectations. Her debut novel, Stay with Me (2017), was shortlisted for the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction and won the 9mobile Prize for Literature.
Adebayo arguably writes the most memorable characters in all of Nigerian literature. Her works with their emotional depth and vivid character portrayals, have been translated into several languages, showcasing her global appeal.
Nnedi Okorafor is a trailblazer in Africanfuturism and fantasy. Her novel Who Fears Death (2010) won the World Fantasy Award and is being adapted into an HBO series. Okorafor’s Binti trilogy, a blend of science fiction and African culture, has won Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Okorafor’s unique voice and imaginative storytelling have made her a global icon, bridging African traditions with futuristic visions.
Chigozie Obioma is a national treasure, a Nigerian author whose works have garnered international acclaim. His debut novel, The Fishermen (2015), was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and won several awards, including the NAACP Image Award.
His second novel, An Orchestra of Minorities (2019), was also Booker-shortlisted, further cementing his place in global literature. Obioma’s works are celebrated for their depth, cultural richness, and universal appeal.
The choice of the "best" in any discipline is hardly a straightforward affair. While there are sometimes overwhelming favorites, it's hard to be regarded unanimously as the best in a field.
However, it's still quite possible to rank authors based on various criteria, each of which, in its own way, can mean "best".
Commercial success does not always equal quality. However, in a country where the publishing industry isn't as profitable as it is in other parts of the world due to inflation, illiteracy, and other socio-cultural factors, any author gaining any sort of renown is highly commendable.
Still, this should not be taken to mean that the bestsellers are the most quality works of literature out there. When a book tops bestseller charts, it's more a result of the marketing involved than anything else.
While this criteria can be a bit subjective, storytelling ability is one core determinant of what makes a writer truly the "best".
Although everyone can't have the exact same opinions on a book, an author's storytelling ability is one of the few criteria that even the most hardened critics often find common ground in.
For this reason, an author may have some truly world-class books to their name, all without being as well-known as other less gifted writers.
It's one thing to be a commercially successful author. It's quite another thing to be recognized by your peers, or an organized body as the best in a genre of fiction.
While there aren't a ton of literary awards in this part of the world, many Nigerian authors have been recognized by foreign institutions like the Booker Prizes, Hugo, Pulitzer, and even the prestigious Nobel.
In modern times, Nigerian publishing has come to rely heavily on online traction, much of which drives the popularity of books, and their respective authors.
Authors who spend time engaging with their audiences online, or collaborating with book bloggers and influencers on BookTok or Bookstagram usually have their reputations soar as a result.
It's no secret that traditional publishing in Nigeria is a quicker way to achieve popularity than independent publishing.
Still, many authors have recently been bucking that trend, fuelled by their personal cash and some great networking.
Writing a book is no mean feat, and it's quite admirable to see authors with tens of books to their names. However, even authors with one or just a few publications can be better writers than their more "experienced" colleagues.
African Literature has come a very long way in recent years, with the exploits of Nigerian writers key to catapulting this broad genre to its rightful place in global publishing.
From Chinua Achebe to Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chigozie Obioma, Fatima Bala, and Ayobami Adebayo, it's been an unbroken line of standout authors in this part of the world.
While I've ranked these authors based on a number of criteria, I don't expect you to agree with the placements. So, do tell in the comments which author I've missed, and which you think should be ranked higher or lower.
Missing Sefi Atta. Chimeka Garricks should be ranked higher imo.