Nigerians and their literary exploits abroad

It is not new today when a fresh name suddenly becomes a household one on television, radio, newspapers or magazines, not excluding the social media. Sometimes it begins with an award won or a striking debut released into the world book market, both online and off. A number of them are at times writers who […]

It is not new today when a fresh name suddenly becomes a household one on television, radio, newspapers or magazines, not excluding the social media. Sometimes it begins with an award won or a striking debut released into the world book market, both online and off. A number of them are at times writers who migrated, live or were even given birth to abroad. But interestingly, their writings always tilt towards their roots.    

Chigozie Obioma

This author was born in Akure, Nigeria, but currently lives in the United States where he is a Helen Zell Fellow in creative writing at the University of Michigan. A prolific short story writer whose works have appeared in Virginia Quarterly review and Transition, his recently published debut novel, The Fishermen, may just have given him legitimacy as a skilled writer. This story, set in 1990s Nigeria is described as ‘the Cain and Abel-esque story of an unforgettable childhood. Four brothers take liberties after their father travels for work. On one of their adventures is a trip to the forbidden river to fish where they meet a madman who predicts that one brother would kill another. This revelation sets the brothers on edge and brings to the fore a number of scenarios that make the book an interesting read. About what inspired him, Obioma wrote, The Fishermen first came to me as a tribute to my many brothers, and a wake-up call to a dwindling nation – Nigeria. Then it grew into something much more than that: it felt necessary.’

Tope Folarin

Oluwabusayo Temitope Folarin, known simply as Tope Folarin, was born in Ogden, Utah in the United States of America. It may not be a surprise that his emergence as the Winner of the 14th  Caine Prize for African Writing, described as Africa’s leading literary award was what brought him to African glare. His short story titled,  Miracle (from his upcoming novel) was set in a Texas Nigerian church where a prophet sets out to heal a blind boy. In the end, during the ‘healing’ process, the boy finds himself wanting to help the congregation’s faith by pretending he can see. The imagery, combined with the flowing narrative in this short story leaves no doubt in a reader’s mind that the author is indeed a born storyteller.
Presently, living and working in Washington D.C., Folarin is one of those who have seen little of Nigeria, yet are drawn irresistibly to ‘what is Nigerian’ in their works.

Uchendu Precious Onuoha

The Road We Travelled (A Memoir of Two Worlds) was written by Onuoha, a Nigerian writer based in Spain. Published in 2013, it was drawn out of the author’s life, experiences across the world, from his background to his sojourn in Europe. Perhaps this is where the ‘Two Worlds’ come in. He is also a poet who has won Editor’s Choice Award in poetry 2008, from the International Library of Poetry.

Myne Whitman   

She is a writer, editor and publisher living in the United States. Known with the pen name, Myne Whitman, Nkem Okotcha (real name) authored two romance novels, A Heart to Mend and A Love Rekindled along with other short stories. Her romance novels were responsible for setting her apart as a Nigerian writer out to tell ‘our’ love stories. In A Heart to Mend, Edward and Gladys meet in an intriguing manner that blooms into a love relationship. Although faraway, Whitman pioneered and currently runs Naija Stories, an online platform where fresh writers are able to showcase their talent.