Over the years, African literature has become a force to reckon with, especially as Nigerian authors keep setting the pace. With new authors and new stories, our tales have spread far and wide and know no bounds. The truth is, this is just the beginning. There’s so much more Nigerian literature can be, greater heights to reach, and more beautifully, deeply, heart-wrenching stories to tell. There is sincerely so much to look forward to.
With that, here are 5 books by Nigerian authors that are coming out in 2025!
Disclaimer: This list will put you in a chokehold at the edge of your seat.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (a.k.a CNA)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie returns with Dream Count after years of hiatus. The novel weaves together the lives of Zikora and her best friend Chiamaka as they navigate complex life choices.
Announcing the book on Instagram in October 2024, Adichie revealed its ambitious scope: “DREAM COUNT is contemporary: Covid, Sexual assault is inspired by a true story. Depression. A man’s extreme “ghosting” of a woman. Fibroids. Teenage self-esteem. PMS. But also timeless: Injustice. Dignity. Regret. What is a full life? What does “meaning” mean?”
The announcement sent ripples through the literary community, and understandably so. Adichie’s work has shaped contemporary discussions on feminism, identity, and culture. And Dream Count promises to tackle pressing modern issues while exploring eternal human questions.
Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor
Acclaimed speculative fiction writer Nnedi Okorafor ventures into deeply personal territory with Death of the Author.
“I wrote this from the gut, through pain, and because of the loss of my sister,” Okorafor revealed when announcing the book. The story follows Zelu, a disabled Nigerian-American writer whose path to literary stardom becomes a compelling exploration of identity, family, and the price of success.
The personal nature of this work marks a significant moment for the author. She is popularly known for her books Who Fears Death, Akata Witch, and Remote Control.
This literary work is one for the books!
Necessary Friction By Eloghosa Osunde
Following the critically acclaimed debut Vagabonds! Eloghosa Osunde returns with Necessary Friction, an ambitious novel weaving together the lives of several characters in contemporary Lagos. The narrative centers on queer, non-binary, trans, and poly individuals as they navigate the city’s vibrant art and entertainment scenes while pursuing authentic lives amid societal pressures.
The novel is scheduled for release on July 22. It will be available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats.
The Edge of Water By Olufunke Grace Bankole
In this stunning debut novel set between Nigeria and New Orleans, Bankole weaves a multigenerational tale of prophecy, ambition, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.
To be released on February 4, 2025, by Tin House Books, The Edge of Water follows Amina, a young Nigerian woman who defies a prophetic warning to pursue her American dreams in New Orleans until a hurricane threatens to sweep away everything she’s built.
Bankole masterfully intertwines Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore in this expansive narrative. The novel traces three generations of women as they navigate love, loss, and the complex dance between destiny and desire.
The Tiny Things Are Heavier By Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo
Two weeks after her brother Mezie’s suicide attempt, Sommy leaves Nigeria for graduate school in the United States, carrying the weight of guilt and unresolved family trauma.
In her debut novel set for release on June 24, by Bloomsbury Publishing, Esther Okonkwo explores displacement and belonging through Sommy’s complex relationships. From tensions with her Nigerian roommate Bayo to a charged romance with Bryan, a biracial American grappling with his disconnected Nigerian heritage.
Moving between the American Midwest and Lagos, the novel has already captured the attention of literary luminaries like Kiley Reid & Sarah Thankam Mathews
Bonus book: We said 5 but a little bonus wouldn’t hurt now, would it? A New New Me by Helen Oyeyemi a novel to be published on May 6 by Penguin Random House is worth the read.
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