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Literary Canon

Best Books from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most productive literary nation in Africa, home to the continent's most celebrated writer — Chinua Achebe, whose Things Fall Apart remains the founding text of African literature in English — and to two Nobel laureates in literature, Wole Soyinka and, prospectively, the many-talented Ben Okri. The Nigerian tradition encompasses Achebe's realist critique of colonialism, Soyinka's theatrical and poetic complexity, Buchi Emecheta's feminist social fiction, and the formal audacity of Ben Okri's mythic novels. Contemporary Nigerian writers — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Teju Cole, NoViolet Bulawayo — are among the most internationally prominent of their generation.

#1
Cover of Half of a Yellow Sun
historical-fiction

Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2007
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score83/100
#2
Cover of The Famished Road
literary-fiction

The Famished Road

Ben Okri· 1991
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score74/100
#3
Things Fall Apart
classic-literature

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe· 1958
Notable Work
Editorial Score43/100
#4
Americanah
romance

Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 1969
Notable Work
Editorial Score43/100
#5
Contemporary African Short Stories
short-stories

Contemporary African Short Stories

Chinua Achebe· 1992
Notable Work
Editorial Score43/100
#6
Cover of There Was a Country
biography-memoir

There Was a Country

Chinua Achebe· 2012
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score42/100
#7
Cover of Purple Hibiscus
literary-fiction

Purple Hibiscus

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2003
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score41/100
#8
Cover of Americanah
literary-fiction

Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2013
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score40/100
#9
Cover of Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
biography-memoir

Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2017
Library Journal
Editorial Score40/100
#10
Cover of Arrow of God
literary-fiction

Arrow of God

Chinua Achebe· 1964
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score39/100
#11
Cover of Things Fall Apart
literary-fiction

Things Fall Apart

Chinua Achebe· 1958
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score38/100
#12
Half of a Yellow Sun
historical-fiction

Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2006
Editorial Score38/100
#13
The Education of a British-Protected Child
short-stories

The Education of a British-Protected Child

Chinua Achebe· 2009
Editorial Score38/100
#14
Cover of The African Trilogy (Things Fall Apart / No Longer at Ease / Arrow of God)
classic-literature

The African Trilogy (Things Fall Apart / No Longer at Ease / Arrow of God)

Chinua Achebe· 1988
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score35/100
#15
Cover of Hopes and impediments
literary-fiction

Hopes and impediments

Chinua Achebe· 1988
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#16
Cover of Songs of enchantment
literary-fiction

Songs of enchantment

Ben Okri· 1993
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#17
Cover of The Lion and the Jewel
classic-literature

The Lion and the Jewel

Wole Soyinka· 1962
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#18
Cover of No Loger at Ease
romance

No Loger at Ease

Chinua Achebe· 1960
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#19
Cover of Stars of the new curfew
romance

Stars of the new curfew

Ben Okri· 1988
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#20
Cover of We Should All Be Feminists
biography-memoir

We Should All Be Feminists

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2014
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#21
Cover of Beyond Hunger in Africa
politics-society

Beyond Hunger in Africa

Chinua Achebe· 1990
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#22
Cover of The Thing Around Your Neck
short-stories

The Thing Around Your Neck

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· 2009
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
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Genres

Literary Fiction8Historical Fiction5Classic Literature4Romance4Short Stories3Biography & Memoir3Politics & Society2Fantasy1History1Young Adult1

Notable Authors

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie8 booksBen Okri3 booksChinua Achebe10 books

Nigeria Literature — FAQ

What are the best books from Nigeria?

The top-ranked books from Nigeria include Half of a Yellow Sun, The Famished Road, Things Fall Apart — all highly scored by international editorial consensus.

Which Nigeria authors have won the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Nigeria has produced several Nobel Prize laureates. Our rankings highlight these winners alongside other critically acclaimed authors from the country.

How many books from Nigeria are ranked on 50 Best Books?

We currently rank 22 books from Nigeria, spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more.

What literary traditions is Nigeria known for?

Nigeria's literary tradition includes Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classic Literature — genres where the country has produced world-class authors.

Where can I read more about Nigeria literature?

Explore our dedicated guide at /best-books-in/nigeria for a comprehensive overview of Nigeria's literary landscape, key authors, and recommended reading order.