- Here are 20 Nigerian books that delve into the complexities of masculinity, identity, and society
- They explore themes around masculinity, including family responsibilities, societal expectations, power dynamics, and the influence of colonialism
- The books, situated within the Nigerian context, also provide insight into modern manhood, touching on everything from religion and political unrest to migration and personal identity
Nigerian literature is rich in stories that explore the complexities of life, identity, culture, and societal roles.
Among these works are books that delve deeply into men's experiences, examining masculinity's pressures, challenges, and intricacies within the Nigerian context.
These fiction and nonfiction books span topics from personal identity to socio-political responsibility.
TheRadar has compiled 20 Nigerian books focusing on men, shedding light on various aspects of their lives, struggles, and triumphs.
20 Nigerian books that focus on men
1. "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe: One of the most famous African novels, "Things Fall Apart”, centres on Okonkwo, a man of strength and ambition who struggles with his identity, cultural expectations, and colonial intrusion. The novel explores the expectations placed on men within traditional Igbo society and the clash between tradition and modernity.
2. "The Man Died: Prison Notes" by Wole Soyinka: This autobiographical work by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka reflects on his time in solitary confinement during the Nigerian Civil War. The book explores personal sacrifice, political engagement, and the role of men in fighting against oppression.
3. "Fine Boys" by Eghosa Imasuen: This coming-of-age novel follows the lives of Nigerian university students in the 1990s, focusing on the struggles of young men as they navigate adulthood, societal expectations, and political unrest.
4. "Born on a Tuesday" by Elnathan John: This novel provides a relevant portrayal of the life of Dantala, a young boy who grows into manhood in northern Nigeria amidst the rising tide of Islamic extremism. It explores masculinity, religion, and survival in a turbulent environment.
5. "The Fishermen" by Chigozie Obioma: Set in a small Nigerian village, "The Fishermen" tells the story of four brothers whose bond is tested by a prophecy that leads to tragedy. The novel explores sibling relationships, familial expectations, and the role of men within a tight-knit family structure.
6. "Measuring Time" by Helon Habila: This novel follows twin brothers Mamo and LaMamo in northern Nigeria. While one stays home and becomes a historian, the other embarks on a journey as a soldier. The novel examines men's different life paths and the roles they are expected to fulfill.
7. "A Man of the People" by Chinua Achebe: This political satire examines the rise and fall of Chief Nanga, a corrupt politician. Through Odili, the young man who challenges Nanga's authority, Achebe explores masculinity, power, and morality themes in post-colonial Nigeria.
8. "Season of Crimson Blossoms" by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim: Though the novel focuses on a middle-aged woman, it also delves into the life of Reza, a young man navigating crime and survival in northern Nigeria. His relationship with the older woman sheds light on the complexities of masculinity, desire, and vulnerability.
9. "Blackass" by A. Igoni Barrett: This ironic novel explores the life of Furo Wariboko, a Nigerian man who wakes up one day to find that his skin has turned white. The book delves into themes of identity, race, and what it means to be a man in a society that often equates power and success with appearance.
10. "Becoming Nigerian" by Elnathan John: A witty and satirical guide that provides commentary on modern Nigerian life, particularly men's roles in politics, religion, and business. It explores how societal expectations shape male identity in contemporary Nigeria.
11. "When We Speak of Nothing" by Olumide Popoola: The novel focuses on the friendship between Karl and Abu, two young men growing up in London and Nigeria. It explores themes of masculinity, race, and identity, particularly in the context of migration and self-discovery.
12. "Men Don’t Die" by Taiwo Ehineni: A collection of short stories, "Men Don’t Die," focuses on how Nigerian men confront life’s challenges, whether societal expectations, familial responsibilities, or personal ambition.
13. "A Hill Called Radikal" by Obinna Udenwe: This political thriller centres on young men who take up arms to bid for justice in a corrupt Nigerian society. The book explores the dynamics of masculinity, power, and rebellion.
14. "Beasts of No Nation" by Uzodinma Iweala: A harrowing story about Agu, a young boy forced to become a child soldier in an unnamed West African country. This novel examines the violent transformation of boys into men in war-torn societies, looking deeply into the loss of innocence and male vulnerability.
15. "Under the Brown Rusted Roofs" by Abubakar Gimba: This novel focuses on the lives of men in northern Nigeria, particularly the challenges they face regarding ambition, societal expectations, and family responsibilities.
16. “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives" by Lola Shoneyin: Though the story focuses on the wives of Baba Segi. Still, the novel also provides an intense portrayal of the polygamous Baba Segi and how his masculinity and sense of power are tied to his relationships with his wives and children.
17. "In Dependence" by Sarah Ladipo Manyika: While this novel is primarily a love story, it offers a deep exploration of the protagonist, Tayo, a Nigerian man navigating identity, love, and politics both in Nigeria and abroad.
18. “Oil on Water" by Helon Habila: A novel about two journalists searching for a kidnapped woman in the oil-rich Niger Delta, it explores the moral complexities faced by men living in the region, addressing the environmental degradation, political corruption and the masculine quest for truth and justice.
19. "Easy Motion Tourist" by Leye Adenle: This crime thriller features a male protagonist who navigates the dangerous underbelly of Lagos. The novel provides a lens into the life of a modern Nigerian man amidst crime, corruption, and survival.
20. "City of Memories" by Richard Ali: A novel set in northern Nigeria, "City of Memories" explores the lives of men as they grapple with personal trauma, love, and loss. It delves into how men deal with emotional pain in a society where vulnerability is often seen as weakness.
These 20 Nigerian books provide a rich exploration of masculinity from multiple perspectives. Whether through tradition, modernity, politics, or personal identity, each novel or nonfiction work sheds light on what it means to be a man in Nigeria.
Through their diverse narratives, these books highlight the challenges and triumphs of Nigerian men, offering insights into their personal and collective experiences.
Feminism: 10 Nigerian books that centre around women
Meanwhile, in an earlier report, TheRadar compiled a list of some Nigerian novels that focus on women. These books explore themes of gender inequality, motherhood, identity, sexual violence, and marriage issues, reflecting the evolving roles of women in Nigerian and diaspora settings.
They include Stay with Me, The Girl with the Louding Voice, Everything Good Will Come, Ordinary People, and others.