This is a list of women writers who were born in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

or whose writings are closely associated with that country.

A

Hafsat Abdulwaheed Hafsat Abdulwaheed Ahmed (born May 5, 1952) is a Nigerian, writer, poet, and a women's rights activist. She is the first female Hausa writer from Northern Nigeria to have written a published novel. Hafsat hails from Kofar Mata quarters of Kano Cit ...

(born 1952), author, poet, writing in Hausa * Dadasare Abdullahi (1918–1984), first female journalist from Northern Nigeria, non-fiction writer, educator * Catherine Acholonu (1951–2014), researcher, author, playwright, socio-political activist, professor *

Ayobami Adebayo Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (born 29 January 1988) is a Nigerian writer. Her 2017 debut novel, '' Stay With Me'', won the 9mobile Prize for Literature and the Prix Les Afriques. She was awarded The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts and Culture ...

(born 1988), novelist, short story writer * Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (born 1963), human rights activist, non-fiction writer *

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ( ; born 15 September 1977) is a Nigerian writer whose works include novels, short stories and nonfiction. She was described in ''The Times Literary Supplement'' as "the most prominent" of a "procession of criticall ...

(born 1977), novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer * Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo * Abimbola Alao (active since the 1990s), non-fiction writer, short story writer, translator *

Lesley Nneka Arimah Lesley Nneka Arimah (born 13 October 1983 in London, United Kingdom) is a Nigerian writer. She has been described as "a skillful storyteller who can render entire relationships with just a few lines of dialogue" and "a new voice with certain sta ...

(born 1983), short story writer *

Nana Asma’u Nana, Nanna, Na Na or NANA may refer to: People and fictional characters * Nana (given name), including a list of people and characters with the given name * Nana (surname), including a list of people and characters with the surname * Nana (c ...

(1793–1864), princess, poet, teacher *

Sefi Atta Sefi Atta (born January 1964) is a Nigerian-American novelist, short-story writer, playwright and screenwriter. Her books have been translated into many languages, radio plays have been broadcast by the BBC, and her stage plays have been performe ...

(born 1964), novelist, short story writer, playwright * Adaeze Atuegwu (born 1977), novelist, playwright, non-fiction writer * Ayo Ayoola-Amale (active since 2000), poet, lawyer, cultural educator

B

Simi Bedford Simi Bedford is a Nigerian novelist based in Britain. Her 1991 debut book '' Yoruba Girl Dancing'' (1991), an autobiographical novel about a young Nigerian girl who is sent to England to receive a private school education, was well reviewed on ...

(active since the 1990s), novelist

E

Buchi Emecheta Florence Onyebuchi "Buchi" Emecheta (21 July 1944 – 25 January 2017) was a Nigerian-born novelist, based in the UK from 1962, who also wrote plays and an autobiography, as well as works for children. She was the author of more than 20 books, ...

(1944–2017), novelist, children's writer, playwright, lived in Britain *

Akwaeke Emezi Akwaeke Emezi is a Nigerian fiction writer and video artist, best known for their novels ''Freshwater'', '' Pet,'' and their ''New York Times'' bestselling novel ''The Death of Vivek Oji''. Emezi is a generalist who writes speculative fiction, r ...

* Rosemary Esehagu (born 1981), Nigerian-American novelist

F

* Bilkisu Funtuwa (active since 1994),

Hausa Hausa may refer to: * Hausa people, an ethnic group of West Africa * Hausa language, spoken in West Africa * Hausa Kingdoms, a historical collection of Hausa city-states * Hausa (horse) or Dongola horse, an African breed of riding horse See also * ...

novelist

I

Jordan Ifueko Jordan Ifueko (born August 16, 1993) is a Nigerian American writer of fantasy and young adult fiction. She is best known for her novel '' Raybearer'', which became a ''New York Times'' bestseller, and its sequel, ''Redemptor.'' She also writes sh ...

(born 1997), fantasy writer *

Bassey Ikpi Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian-born American spoken-word artist, writer, and mental health advocate. She has appeared on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry five times and her poetry has opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artists. She's al ...

(born 1976), spoken-word poet, writer, mental health advocate *

Elizabeth Isichei Elizabeth Allo Isichei (born 1939 in Tauranga, New Zealand) is a Nigerian author, historian and academic. Her parents are Albert (an agricultural scientist) and Lorna Allo. On 23 July 1964 she married Uche Peter Isichei (a chemical pathologist) ...

(born 1939), non-fiction writer, historian, educator * Betty Irabor, website magazine columnist

K

Karen King-Aribisala Karen Ann King-Aribisala (born Guyana) is a Nigerian novelist, and short story writer. She is a Professor of English at the University of Lagos. Education She was educated at the International School Ibadan, St. George's British International ...

(active since 1990), novelist, short story writer

M

Amina Mama Amina Mama (born 19 September 1958) is a Nigerian-British writer, feminist and academic. Her main areas of focus have been post-colonial, militarist and gender issues. She has lived in Africa, Europe, and North America, and worked to build rela ...

(born 1958), non-fiction writer, educator *

Sarah Ladipo Manyika Sarah Ladipo Manyika is a British-Nigerian writer of novels, short stories and essays and an active member of the literary community, particularly supporting and amplifying young writers and female voices. She is author of two well received nove ...

(born 1968), Anglo-Nigerian novelist, short story writer, essayist * Angela Miri (born 1959), academic and poet

N

* Nkiru Njoku (born c. 1980), screenwriter * Martina Nwakoby (born 1937), children's writer, novelist *

Flora Nwapa Florence Nwanzuruahu Nkiru Nwapa (13 January 1931 – 16 October 1993), was a Nigerian author who has been called the mother of modern African literature, African Literature. She was the forerunner to a generation of African women writers, and ...

(1931–1993), novelist, short story writer, poet, children's writer, first African woman novelist published in Britain *

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani Adaobi Tricia Obinne Nwaubani is a Nigerian novelist, humorist, essayist and journalist, who was born in 1976. Her debut novel, ''I Do Not Come To You By Chance'', won the 2010 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book (Africa), a Bett ...

(born 1976), novelist, humorist, essayist, journalist * Nike Campbell, Nigerian-Ukrainian writer and finance management professional

O

* Taiwo Odubiyi (born 1965), romance novelist, children's writer, religious columnist *

Molara Ogundipe Omolara Ogundipe-Leslie (27 December 1940 – 18 June 2019), also known as Molara Ogundipe, was a Nigerian poet, critic, editor, feminist and activist. Considered one of the foremost writers on African feminism, gender studies and literary theory ...

(born 1940), poet, critic, non-fiction writer * P. A. Ogundipe (1927–2020), educator and first Nigerian woman to be published in English * Chioma Okereke, Nigerian-born poet, author and short story writer * Julie Okoh (born 1947), playwright, feminist, educator *

Nnedi Okorafor Nnedimma Nkemdili "Nnedi" Okorafor (formerly Okorafor-Mbachu; born April 8, 1974) is a Nigerian-American writer of science fiction and fantasy for both children and adults. She is best known for her ''Binti Series'' and her novels ''Who Fears ...

(born 1974), science fiction and fantasy writer, Nigerian-American

* Ifeoma Okoye (born 1937), novelist, short story writer, children's writer *

Chinelo Okparanta Chinelo Okparanta (born 1981) is a Nigerian-American novelist and short-story writer. She was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where she was raisedRae Winkelstein-Duveneck"Religion, The Bible, and Personal Morality: An Interview with Chinelo Okp ...

(active since 2010), Nigerian-American short story writer, educator * Ukamaka Olisakwe (born 1982), feminist writer, short story writer, screenwriter * Ayodele Olofintuade, novelist and journalist *

Nuzo Onoh Nuzo Onoh (born 22 September 1962) is a Nigerian-British writer. She grew up the third of eight children of the late Chief Mrs Caroline Onoh, a former headteacher. Her father was Chief Dr. C.C Onoh, the wealthy landowner, lawyer, politician, and f ...

(born 1962), African Horror writer * Osonye Tess Onwueme (born 1955), playwright, scholar, poet *

Ifeoma Onyefulu Ifeoma Onyefulu (born 1959) is a Nigerian children's author, novelist, and photographer. She is best known for her picture books which feature her photographs of village life in Africa."Ifeoma Onyefulu." ''Gale Literature: Contemporary Authors' ...

(born 1959), children's writer, novelist, photographer *

Bukola Oriola Bukola Oriola (born 1976) is a Nigerian-American journalist. She lives in Anoka County, Minnesota, and has a son named Samuel Jacobs. She spent six years as a journalist covering education in Nigeria while still living in that country. In 2005, s ...

(born 1976), Nigerian American journalist, autobiographer *

Ayisha Osori Ayisha Osori is a Nigerian lawyer, author, international development consultant, journalist and politician known for her work on good governance, gender equality, women economic and political participation and ending violence against women in Nig ...

(active since the late 1990s), lawyer, journalist, business executive *

Helen Ovbiagele Helen Aiyeohusa Ovbiagele (born 1944) is a Nigerian novelist. She was born in Benin City, and after attending C.M.S. Girls' School, Benin City, and St. Peter's College, Kaduna, she studied English and French at the University of Lagos and studied ...

(born 1944), romance novelist *

Helen Oyeyemi Helen Oyeyemi FRSL (born 10 December 1984) is a British novelist and writer of short stories. Life Oyeyemi was born in Nigeria and was raised in Lewisham, South London from when she was four. Oyeyemi wrote her first novel, '' The Icarus Girl'' ...

(born 1984), novelist

P

Charmaine Pereira Charmaine Pereira is a writer and feminist scholar in Abuja, Nigeria. Her work centers on feminist thought, sexuality, gender education, and civil society and the state. Pereira is also a coordinator for the Initiative for Women’s Studies in Nig ...

(active since the 1990s), feminist scholar, non-fiction writer

S

Abidemi Sanusi Abidemi Sanusi is a Nigerian author. Biography Abidemi Sanusi was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She had her Education in England, and attended Leeds University. Sanusi worked as a human rights worker, and now manages a website for writers. '' Kemi' ...

(active since 2000), novelist *

Mabel Segun Mabel Segun, NNOM (born 1930) is a Nigerian poet, playwright and writer of short stories and children's books. She has also been a teacher, broadcaster, and a sports woman. Biography Born in Ondo City, Nigeria, she had her secondary school ed ...

(born 1930), poet, children's writer *

Taiye Selasi Taiye Selasi (born 2 November 1979) is a British-American writer and photographer. Of Nigerian and Ghanaian origin, she describes herself as a "local" of Accra, Berlin, New York and Rome. Early life and education Taiye Selasi was born in Lond ...

(born 1979), novelist, short story writer, photographer *

Lola Shoneyin Lola Shoneyin (born Titilola Atinuke Alexandrah Shoneyin; 26 February 1974 in Ibadan, Nigeria) is a Nigerian poet and author who launched her debut novel, ''The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives'', in the UK in May 2010. Shoneyin has forged a r ...

(born 1974), poet, novelist *

Zulu Sofola Nwazuluwa Onuekwuke "Zulu" Sofola (22 June 1935 – 5 September 1995)Biography
, ′Zulu Sofola official web ...

(1935–1995), Nigeria's first published female playwright, educator

T

* Grace Oladunni Taylor (fl.1970–2004), biochemist, non-fiction writer * Teresa Meniru (1931–1994), children's writer

U

Ada Udechukwu Ada Udechukwu (born 1960) is a Nigerian artist and poet associated with the Nsukka group. Biography Born in the city of Enugu, Nigeria, Udechukwu is the daughter of an Igbo father and an American mother. When the Eastern part of Nigeria attempt ...

(born 1960), poet and artist * Purity Ada Uchechukwu (born 1971), academic *

Adaora Lily Ulasi Adaora Lily Ulasi (born 1932) was a Nigerian journalist and novelist. She is said to have been the first West African woman to earn a degree in journalism. As a journalist, she has worked for the BBC and Voice of America. As a novelist she wro ...

(born 1932), journalist, novelist * Rosina Umelo (born 1930), short story writer, children's writer *

Chika Unigwe Chika Nina Unigwe (born 12 June 1974) is a Nigerian-born Igbo author who writes in English and Dutch. In April 2014 she was selected for the Hay Festival's Africa39 list of 39 Sub-Saharan African writers aged under 40 with potential and talent to ...

(born 1974), novelist, short story writer * Pauline Uwakweh or Pauline Onwubiko, writer and academic

W

Molara Wood Molara Wood (born 1967)
Editorial Board, ''Sentinel Poetry Quarterly''. is a Nigeria ...

(born 1969) journalist, short story writer * Myne Whitman (born 1977), romance novelist

Y

Balaraba Ramat Yakubu Balaraba Ramat Yakubu (born 1959) is a Nigerian author who writes in Hausa. She is a leader in the genre of '' littattafan soyayya'' or "love literature", and one of the very few Hausa-language writers whose work has been translated into English. ...

(born 1959), romance novelist

References

{{Lists of women writers by nationality -

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

Writers A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles and techniques to communicate ideas. Writers produce different forms of literary art and creative writing such as novels, short stories, books, poetry, travelogues, plays ...

Writers, women