18 Books by Authors of Nigerian Descent Coming Out in 2025

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor (Jan 14th)

Nnedi is back with another genre-bending novel that I’m excited to read. After getting fired and receiving another rejection from a publisher, Zelu decides to write something just for herself. A sci-fi epic with androids, AI & war.

When Zelu shares her novel, she gets a reaction that she never expected, launching her into literary stardom. But this comes at a price as her novel will change the future not only for humanity but for the robots who come next.

Àànú Ifẹ́ by Lara Kareem (Jan 15th)

After a series of personal setbacks, Ina retreats to her grandparents’ old home in Onilewa, a village alive with cherished memories from her childhood.

As she immerses herself in the village’s gentle rhythms, the echoes of her past resurface, forcing her to confront the wounds she had long tried to escape. Amidst the beauty of Onilewa and the warmth of its people, Ina discovers that strength arises from vulnerability, connection, and the courage to rebuild.

The Re-Write by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn (Feb 13th)

From the author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? comes this contemporary novel about exes, romance and second chances.

Temi & Wale were once in love. Then they break up, Wale goes on a reality dating show & Temi throws herself into writing with the hopes of getting a book deal. So, when the opportunity to ghost-write a celebrity memoir arises, Temi accepts but things get complicated when the celebrity turns out to be Wale.

Operation Sisterhood: Stealing the Show! by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Jan 14th)

The Operation Sisterhood middle-grade series continues with this heartwarming sequel that explores the new adventures Sunday, Bo, Lee, and Lil are up to.

After forming a musical babysitting band business with her sisters, Sunday has her mind set on her next big community project—staging an original musical. But things don’t work out as planned when Sunday loses her creative mojo. It’s up to Bo and the twins to help Sunday find her shine and her love of storytelling again.

At The Fount of Creation by Tobi Ogundiran (Jan 28th)

This fantasy novella concludes the Guardians of the Gods duology and follows young acolyte Ashâke as she tries to save the Orisha.

For 400 years, the world’s remaining Orisha have fought to survive the soul-stealing Godkillers and the mysterious figure who leads them. Ashâke carries within herself the spirits of the surviving Orisha, and she is on the hunt for allies who can help her defeat the Godkillers. But their influence is everywhere, and no one is immune—not even Ashâke.

Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole (Feb 4th)

This debut novel explores the lives of three women across generations. In Ibadan, Nigeria, a mother receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. In spite of this, she allows her to forge her own path, and Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope.

But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending her dreams and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.

Chop Chop by Ozoz Sokoh (March 18th)

I’m always excited for cookbooks that explore Nigerian & African cuisine as a whole and this cookbook from Ozoz is long overdue.

In Chop Chop, Ozoz celebrates classic and traditional Nigerian cuisine, underscoring the ingredients, flavours, and textures that make it not only beloved, but delicious and easy for the home cook. From spicy suya to egusi, puff puff, moinmoin elewe, kazan ridi and more, there’s a diverse collection of recipes in this cookbook.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi (April 15th)

In this young adult fantasy novel, a girl sets out to find her missing twin brother while coming to terms with her powers. Somadina and her twin brother, Jayaike make each other whole. When they come of age, their magical gifts awaken, but while Jayaike’s powers enchant, Somadina’s cause fear to ripple through her town.

When her brother goes missing, Somadina must track him down. Even if it means entering the Sacred Forest and finding places where those closest to the spirit world don’t dare to go.

Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (March 4th)

The literary world is abuzz with excitement for this novel and for good reason as Chimamanda hasn’t released a novel in years.

Dream Count explores the lives of four women during the pandemic. Chiamaka, a Nigerian travel writer, recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, a successful lawyer dealing with betrayal turns to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, a financial powerhouse and Chiamaka’s cousin, begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, who is proudly raising her daughter in America.

No Perfect Love by Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi (March 11th)

First love, a crumbling marriage and a woman caught in between. Adesuwa is back with another contemporary romance, this time set in 90’s Festac.

Gina’s heart is captivated by her first love, Mudi, until his father’s disapproval drives them apart. She meets Tobenna and decades later finds herself trapped in a marriage that’s not what she thought it would be. When Mudi comes back into her life by chance, she’s faced with an agonising choice.

A Song of Legends Lost by M.H Ayinde (April 8th)

In the Nine Lands, only those of noble blood can summon the spirits of their ancestors to fight in battle. But when Temi, a commoner from the slums, accidentally invokes a powerful spirit, she finds it could hold the key to ending a centuries-long war. But not everything that can be invoked is an ancestor. And some of the spirits that can be drawn from the ancestral realm are more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

Grace by Chika Unigwe (April 2025)

From the author of The Middle Daughter & The Night Dancer comes another book that explores family, motherhood and the lives of Nigerian women.

Grace is doing well for herself, she has a loving family and owns a private clinic, but she’s hiding a secret. When her estranged mother shows up on her doorstep, she’s forced to confess about the child she had when she was 15. Her husband understands but disapproves of her private clinic, that doubles as a somewhat ethical baby farm. Can her family forgive her for this secret she has hidden all these years? Can Grace forgive herself? And will her first child, if she is to be found, accept her as a mother?

‘Til Death by Busayo Matuluko (May 26th)

This YA mystery thriller follows Lara, a true-crime-obsessed lady who is heading to Lagos for her cousin, Derin’s, wedding. When Lara finds out that Derin has been receiving anonymous threats to call off the wedding, she’s eager to put her sleuthing knowledge to work.

She doesn’t expect to uncover a web of secrets, malicious crimes, and near-death encounters which promise to tear the family apart for good.

Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi (May 27th)

When a bleeding woman stumbles onto his doorway, only to vanish just as quickly, Bouba finds himself enmeshed in the secrets of a city boiling on the brink of violence.

The French occupiers are keen to keep the peace at any cost, and the indigenous dugulen have broken into factions vying for a chance to reclaim their lost heritage. As each hard-won clue reveals horrifying new truths, Bouba may have to carve out parts of himself he’s long kept hidden, and decide what he’s willing to offer next in this gripping fantasy noir novel.

The Tiny Things Are Heavier by Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo (June 24th)

In her debut novel, Esther weaves together a heart-rending story of a young Nigerian immigrant who struggles to find her place in America.

Sonny comes to the US for graduate school two weeks after her brother, Mezie, attempts suicide. She struggles to get used to school life & living in the US while dealing with the guilt of leaving her brother behind. She enters a complicated relationship with her Nigerian roommate, Bayo, a relationship that plummets into deceit when she falls for Bryan, a biracial American, whose estranged Nigerian father left the States immediately after his birth.

Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde (July 22nd)

What makes a family? How is it defined and by whom? Is freedom for everyone? In this novel, Eloghosa poses these questions and many more while exploring the paths and dreams of more than two dozen characters who are staking out lives for themselves in contemporary Nigeria.

Across Lagos, these characters seek out love for self and their chosen partners, even as they risk ruining relationships with parents, spouses, family, and friends.

The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association by Ola Awonubi (July 11th)

Sade Sodipo is a woman with a good job, great friends and her own space but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50.

She’s ready to meet ‘the one’ but so far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, have anything to say about it.

Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anson (Oct 23rd)

This fantasy novel is set in the land of Oru where people have the ability to harness power from the sun. Except L’ore and she hides this secret from everyone including her best friend Alawani.

When he’s declared an Àlùfáà, a great honour that requires him to go through a brutal deadly trial, L’ore tries to rescue him. This leads to her discovering she can control an icy shadowy magic, and now they must seek sanctuary in a forbidden land which holds a secret that can bring their kingdom to its knees

All I Know About a Heavy Heart is How to Carry It by Chisom Okafor (Nov 1st)

This poetry collection is described by Jaki Green, editor for Jacar Press, as a collection that interrogates what it means to be human and vulnerable through raw fierce and unflinching energy that sweeps the reader through unexpected passages and dislocations.