By Godson Osarenren
Chinua Achebe (1930–2013)
Active Years: 1958–2013
Notable Works: Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease
Legacy: Widely regarded as the father of modern African literature. Achebe gave African storytelling global recognition and reshaped postcolonial narrative.
Wole Soyinka (b. 1934)
Active Years: 1960–present
Notable Works: Death and the King’s Horseman, Ake, The Man Died
Legacy: First African Nobel Laureate in Literature (1986). A playwright, poet, and political activist with global influence.
Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017)
Active Years: 1972–2017
Notable Works: The Joys of Motherhood, Second-Class Citizen
Legacy: Pioneered African feminist literature, exploring the challenges of women and motherhood in postcolonial societies.
Ben Okri (b. 1959)
Active Years: 1980s–present
Notable Works: The Famished Road (Booker Prize, 1991)
Legacy: Master of magical realism in African literature. Blends spiritual, political, and philosophical themes.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (b. 1977)
Active Years: 2003–present
Notable Works: Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, We Should All Be Feminists
Legacy: Global literary icon, feminist voice, and powerful storyteller with massive influence across generations.
J.P. Clark-Bekederemo (1935–2020)
Active Years: 1960s–2010s
Notable Works: The Raft, Song of a Goat
Legacy: Founding figure of modern African drama and poetry; deeply rooted in Niger Delta culture.
Femi Osofisan (b. 1946)
Active Years: 1970s–present
Notable Works: Once Upon Four Robbers, Morountodun
Legacy: Prolific dramatist, poet, and academic. Uses theatre to explore politics, injustice, and historical revision.
Flora Nwapa (1931–1993)
Active Years: 1966–1993
Notable Works: Efuru, Idu
Legacy: First African woman novelist to be published internationally. Opened doors for female writers across Africa.
Niyi Osundare (b. 1947)
Active Years: 1970s–present
Notable Works: Songs of the Marketplace, The Word is an Egg
Legacy: Renowned for his oral-influenced poetry, social criticism, and environmental advocacy.
Tanure Ojaide (b. 1948)
Active Years: 1970s–present
Notable Works: Labyrinths of the Delta, The Activist
Legacy: Voice of the Niger Delta, blending eco-poetry with political activism and traditional aesthetics.
Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995)
Active Years: 1980s–1995
Notable Works: Sozaboy, A Month and a Day
Legacy: Writer and environmental activist. Martyred for his activism. Fused satire with activism in literature.
Zaynab Alkali (b. 1950)
Active Years: 1980s–present
Notable Works: The Stillborn, The Descendants
Legacy: Northern Nigeria’s first female novelist. Focuses on gender, cultural values, and self-determination.
Sefi Atta (b. 1964)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: Everything Good Will Come, Swallow
Legacy: Powerful female voice exploring modern Nigerian identity, gender, and class through fiction and drama.
Helon Habila (b. 1967)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: Waiting for an Angel, Oil on Water
Legacy: Novelist and professor known for politically infused fiction and exploration of postcolonial Nigeria.
Chika Unigwe (b. 1974)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: On Black Sisters’ Street
Legacy: Explores identity, diaspora, and the African woman’s experience across borders.
Odia Ofeimun (b. 1950)
Active Years: 1970s–present
Notable Works: The Poet Lied, A Feast of Return
Legacy: Influential poet and essayist known for combining political activism with literary excellence.
Remi Raji (b. 1961)
Active Years: 1990s–present
Notable Works: A Harvest of Laughters
Legacy: Rich in lyrical style and philosophical depth; former president of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).
Obari Gomba (b. 1977)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: Length of Eyes, Ogoni Son
Legacy: Contemporary poet and dramatist exploring social justice, Niger Delta, and Nigerian politics.
Godson Osarenren (b. 1983)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: The Broken Cross, Bush Radio.
Legacy: Ekphrastic Poet, Founder and Convener, Naija Poetry Fest, Battle of Stanzas & holds monthly literary events at Alliance Française de Lagos, Mike Adenuga Centre.
Lola Shoneyin (b. 1974)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives
Legacy: Humor, feminism, and polygamy examined through satire. Also founder of the Ake Arts & Book Festival.
Elnathan John (b. 1982)
Active Years: 2010s–present
Notable Works: Born on a Tuesday
Legacy: Satirical fictionist who focuses on identity, extremism, and social dysfunction.
Igoni Barrett (b. 1979)
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: Blackass, Love is Power or Something Like That
Legacy: Known for wit, language experimentation, and urban themes rooted in Nigerian life.
Chigozie Obioma (b. 1986)
Active Years: 2010s–present
Notable Works: The Fishermen, An Orchestra of Minorities
Legacy: Twice Booker Prize nominee. Blends folklore with modern tragedy and mythic storytelling.
Amu Nnadi
Active Years: 2000s–present
Notable Works: through the window of a sandcastle, a river’s journey
Legacy: Award-winning poet known for his lyrical style and refusal to use punctuation.
Tolu Akinyemi (b. 1981)
Active Years: 2010s–present
Notable Works: Dead Lions Don’t Roar, I Laugh at These Skinny Girls
Legacy: Fresh voice blending spoken word style with motivational poetry and street-wise realism.
