20 Emerging Nigerian Writers to Watch in 2025
By Ayomipo Akorede
Nigeria's literary world has flourished over the years; it's been full of stars from the first generation of writers like: D. O Fagunwa, Amos Tutuola, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Flora Nwapa (the first Nigerian woman to be published and recognised internationally), Christopher Okigbo, Emeka Ike and many more, to the second generation that welcomed Bode Sowande, Cyprian Ekwensi, etc. to the third and then now.
But in the last five years, there has been this new wave of storytellers redefining what Nigerian writing looks and feels like with compelling narratives, unique perspectives and diverse themes that resonate both locally and globally. They're young(ish), bold, genre-bending, and unapologetically honest.
Whether you're into magical realism, diaspora drama, or stories that make you cry into your plantain chips, here are twenty Nigerian writers who’ve burst onto the scene in the last five years and are absolutely worth reading.
1. Chukwuebuka Ibeh
His 2024 novel "Blessings", reveal that this guy is honestly a tell-it-as-it-is guy. Like Okparanta's queer book, "Under the Udala Tree", he also explores the unusual desires of a little boy, Obiefuna, in a conservative society like Nigeria. First, he tries to explore his sexuality with another boy. After multiple encounters, his father catches him and sends him to a seminary which offers a temporal relief. After graduation, his adult version slips into his old life.
2. Kehinde Fadipe
In "The Sun Sets in Singapore" published in October 2023, Fadipe throws us into the glamorous (and sometimes messy) world of three Nigerian women expats in Asia. The buzz of the city and the ambition (desire to make it) enough to light up a path of these women show that it's got friendship drama, secrets, and a whole lot of heart. Has it got depth too? 100%.
3. Bolu Babalola
You might’ve seen Bolu on Twitter being hilarious, but her novel "Honey & Spice" (2022) proves she’s more than witty tweets. It's a fun, flirty story about a British-Nigerian student who accidentally finds herself in a fake relationship. Yes, it’s a rom-com but with brains, culture, and spice. Here, there is a Kiki Banjo, a British-Nigerian uni student who is smart, spicy, and easy to root for and a Malaki she is blind to see. You’ll laugh oh, and maybe even text your situationship “wyd?”
4. Eloghosa Osunde
If you like your fiction a little offbeat and very powerful, then this 2022 novel "Vagabonds!" is for you. Here, Osunde takes us into a surreal Lagos where queer spirits roam, stories connect, and every page is a mix of reality and magic. It's bold. It's fearless. It's unforgettable.
5. Pemi Aguda
"Ghostroots" (2024) is a collection of stories, but not your typical short fiction. These are 12 gothic, haunted, and rich with Nigerian myth. There are family curses and whispers from the other side too. Aguda makes Lagos feel eerie, powerful, and intimate. Perfect if you like your stories with a side of chills and family secrets.
6. Chinonso Elom
Elom’s not just writing for entertainment—he’s writing for change. With works like "Echoes of Resistance" and "Unchained", he’s earned international recognition for giving voice to African history, activism, and personal truth. One to watch, for sure.
7. Olatunbosun Taofeek
Taofeek’s "Truth and Dare" isn’t just for teens. It’s a young adult novel that tackles mental health, pressure, and identity in a way that resonates across generations. Little wonder he won the TYBLI Young Adult Literature Prize in 2024.
8. Oyinkan Braithwaite
Oyinkan is another fantastic emerging voice you should look out for. With just her 2018 debut novel, "My Sister The Serial Killer," a darkly funny and satirical novel about a Nigerian woman whose younger sister has a habit of killing her boyfriends, she has made more marks than many.
9.Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
With his lush, poetic prose, Abubakar is one of the literary voices putting Northern Nigeria on the map. His novel "Season of Crimson Blossoms" broke stereotypes and boundaries, telling a bold story of love and desire between an older woman and a younger man in conservative society. His 2023 "When We Were Fireflies " is a bunker buster that explores the themes of reincarnation and the complexities of love and loss. He’s also a sharp journalist—and everything he writes is worth your attention.
10. Chigozie Obioma
Twice Booker Prize-nominated? Say less. Obioma burst onto the scene with "The Fishermen" and followed up with "An Orchestra of Minorities", a 2019 novel steeped in Igbo cosmology, philosophical depth and has endeared him to me ever since. Like Chimamanda Adichie, he’s been compared to Chinua Achebe but really, he’s carving out his own literary lane.
11. Elnathan John
Funny, fearless, and always real, Elnathan’s writing mixes satire with substance. His debut Born on a Tuesday published in 2016 explores politics, religion, and violence through the eyes of a young boy in Northern Nigeria. He’s also made waves as a cartoonist and commentator. Basically, if he writes it, you should read it.
12. Yewande Omotoso
Omotoso's quiet brilliance shines in novels like "The Woman Next Door", (2016) which tenderly explores themes of race, aging, and reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa. Her characters are complex, flawed, and deeply human. She’s one of those writers who says a lot with very little.
13. Ayobami Adebayo
Her debut "Stay With Me"" was a global hit for a reason—raw emotion, tender writing, and a story that lingers long after you finish. Adebayo explores love, loss, and societal pressure with a rare emotional intelligence. Her third novel "A Spell of Good Things" pubiished in 2023 cements her as one to keep reading.
14. Taiye Selasi
Okay, Selasi’s "Ghana Must Go" came out a while back, but her influence is still huge. She coined the term “Afropolitan” and writes with lush lyricism about identity, diaspora, and belonging. Her fiction reads like poetry—and her essays are equally gripping.
15. Lesley Nneka Arimah
If you’ve read "What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky" then you know Arimah bends genre and reality like it’s nothing. She weaves surrealism, Nigerian folklore, and biting wit into unforgettable short stories. Expect more brilliance as she continues to push boundaries.
16. Abi Daré
The "Girl with the Louding Voice" was a breakout hit—and rightfully so. Abimbola (Abi) Daré brings heart and urgency to the story of a young girl fighting for education in a world that would rather silence her. Her use of voice, literally and thematically, is a breath of fresh air in contemporary fiction.
17. Tola Rotimi Abraham
In "Black Sunday", Abraham tells a multi-generational Lagos story that’s raw and haunting. Her writing captures the ache of family, faith, and fractured dreams. She’s one of the newer voices bringing Nigeria’s urban grit and emotion into stark focus.
18. Ijeoma Umebinyuo
Best known for her poetry and short prose, Ijeoma writes like she’s writing directly to your soul. Her collection "Questions for Ada" is a go-to for many readers navigating identity, trauma, and womanhood. She speaks the language of healing—and her work is widely shared for a reason.
19. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Young, sharp, and already a bestselling author, Faridah stormed the YA (young adult) world with Ace of Spades, a fast-paced thriller that blends social commentary with gossip girl energy. She’s proving that Nigerian writers can dominate genre fiction, too—and we’re here for it.
20. Helen Oyeyemi
Whimsical, weird, and wildly talented, Helen Oyeyemi’s books are modern-day fairy tales—with a twist. From "Boy", "Snow", "Bird", to "Peaces", her writing doesn’t follow convention, and that’s what makes her special. She’s like the cool literary cousin who's always five steps ahead.
These writers aren't just “emerging”—they’re here, thriving and expanding the idea of what Nigerian storytelling is and can be. They’re genre-fluid, globally aware, culturally rooted, and full of stories the world needs to hear. Keep them on your radar—and maybe clear some space on your bookshelf while you’re at it.
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