18 Books by Authors of Nigerian Descent Coming Out in 2023

Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name by Ukamaka Olisakwe (May 16th)

When things start to go wrong in Ani Mmadu, the people know it’s time to send an Aja, a child chosen by the oracle, into the forest to appease the all-powerful and unforgiving, jealous god.

This time Adanne is chosen to save her people, but the Ajas sent into the Forest of Iniquity never return. Rooted in Igbo mythology, this novel follows Adanne’s journey to save her people and end the reign of a ruthless diety.

Get the book – Masobe Books

Warrior of the Wind by Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Nov 23rd)

The second book in the Nameless Republic trilogy. After escaping Bassa, Danso and Lilong are in hiding, with a bounty on their heads. Until they get an offer that changes things, but in exchange, Lilong must break into a prison.

The consequences of this lead to Danso & Lilong embarking on a journey with new allies. But with the relentless Red Emperor hot on their trail & a new ancient power brewing, things are about to get more complicated.

More Info – Author’s website

A Spell of Good Things by Ayòbámi Adébáyò (Feb 9th)

Ayòbámi Adébáyò, author of Stay With Me, is back with a story of two families whose lives become intertwined. Eniola just can’t catch a break, his father lost his job, he gets beaten at school for unpaid fees and begs on the street.

Wuraola comes from a wealthy family, she’s an exhausted doctor in her first year of practice who is engaged to a man with a dark side. Their lives clash together when a politician takes notice of Eniola and sudden violence shatters a family party.

Get the book – Amazon | Add on Goodreads

Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tolá Okogwu (May 30th)

Having uncovered the hidden agenda behind the Academy of the Sun, Onyeka and her friends are on the run. They’re also on a quest to find Onyeka’s missing parents and the cure for the Solari Disease that comes with using their powers.

When their last safe house is uncovered, Onyeka turns to the only potential allies they have left; the Rogues. In this action-packed middle-grade series, Onyeka & her friends will have to give all they’ve got to defeat their new nemesis.

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Rose and the Burma Sky by Rosanna Amaka (Feb 23rd)

This historical fiction novel tells the story of a Nigerian soldier’s experience during WW2, his unrequited love and the grim realities of war.

Obi is deeply in love with Rose. To support his family, He enlists in the army because of the stable wages it offers.

Years later Rose falls pregnant for another man, and Obi is shipped off to fight as the Burma Campaign begins. When Obi finds out the identity of Rose’s lover, his actions set off a series of unexpected and tragic events.

Get the book – Masobe Books | Add to Goodreads

Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi (Feb 7th)

Dirt is a fighter who has retired from competing in the Isle’s elite, all-female fighting sport of Bowing. Now she coaches the young girls in the Mud Fam while waiting for the time she has to leave the group.

But when they’re attacked by a rival and left without their top Bower, Dirt has to take her place and fight in the tournament. But with the fate of the Mud Fam riding on them winning this tournament & Dirt being out of shape, victory seems unlikely.

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The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa (Jul 11th)

This sci-fi novel follows Enitan, a young woman who would rather spend time on her tea business than work another day at her day job.

When her sister is kidnapped and her lover killed by Imperial soldiers, Enitan is brought to the capital as a political prisoner. There she’s recruited by rebels to spy on high-ranking officials, and works to figure out how to save her sister and perhaps even help win back her country’s independence.

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Time to Shine at the River School by Sabine Adeyinka (May 11th)

The sequel to Jummy at the River School, this novel starts off in a new term at the River School. Best friends Jummy and Caro are attending together and they’re thrilled to discover they both get to work on Nile House’s agricultural project.

But as they try to grow their crops, they realise the Shine-Shine River is running low and in the process of finding out why, they stumble upon a mystery. It’s up to them to solve this mystery and save the river.

Get the book – Amazon

House Woman by Adorah Nworah (Jun 6th)

Ikemefuna, a young dancer in Lagos is sent to meet her new husband in Texas. With good things said about the man she’ll marry, her education and freedom over there, she looks forward to being a good wife.

But as she lives with her in-laws and husband, she realizes that things are completely different from what she was told. With demands to have a child increasing, her lack of freedom and family secrets surfacing, Ikemefuna must decide how to get herself out of this impossibly sticky situation.

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Dazzling by Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ (Feb 16th)

When Treasure’s father died, she and her mum lost everything. Then she meets a spirit who says he can bring her father back, but she must do something first.

Ozoemena comes from a lineage of those who can transform into leopards to defend their people. She’s told what an honour this is by her father before he disappears. When students in her boarding school start to vanish, both girls will come to face terrible choices, while dealing with their struggles.

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The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams (May 16th)

What if the two most important people in your life hated each other? This novel explores this as we meet a wife who supposedly has it all; an affectionate husband, and a best friend who always has her back.

One day, the friend comes visiting and this leads to the discovery of a startling secret, as brimming tension between the wife, her husband and her best friend reaches a breaking point.

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Caged Ocean Dub by Dare Segun Falowo (Jun 20th)

A short story collection that covers a variety of genres from sci-fi to fantasy to horror. Caged Ocean Dub features some of the author’s previously published stories alongside new tales of magic and terror.

Get the book – Android Press | Add on Goodreads

The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe (Apr 4th)

This novel follows Nani, a 17-year-old girl who is dealing with the death of her older sister and father. Feeling isolated and misunderstood by her grieving mother & sister, she finds comfort with a self-proclaimed man of God who offers her somewhere to belong.

Soon Nani finds herself stuck with an abusive husband and estranged from her family. She must now find the courage to break free and get her life back.

Get the book – Amazon

When We Were Fireflies by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Mar 7th)

Past lives, love and a mystery come together in this novel about a man who is searching for the people who murdered him in a previous life.

When Yarima Lalo sees a moving train for the first time, it triggers memories of his past lives where he was murdered twice. He also meet Aziza, a mysterious woman, and with his death in his current life approaching, they embark on a search for the remnants of his past lives.

Get the book – Masobe Books

Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun (Aug 8th)

Dèmi just wants to survive, but avoiding the suspicion of the nonmagical people in her land, escaping the Kings genocide of magic wielders like her, while learning to control the terrifying blood magic she has, is no easy task.

When putting her trust in the wrong person leads to her mother’s death, Dèmi is put on the path of vengeance. She bides her time until the devious Lord Ekwensi grants her the perfect opportunity—kidnap the Aje prince, Jonas, and bargain with his life to save the remaining Oluso.

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The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa by Stephen Buoro (Apr 18th)

A coming of age story set in Kantagora in Nothern Nigeria. Andrew Aziza spends his days hanging with his crew and contemplating the larger questions with his teacher Zahrah & friend Fatima.

When Eileen arrives in their town, Andrew falls hopelessly in love with her. But at the church party held to celebrate her arrival, multiple crises loom. The first is that an unfamiliar man there claims to be Andy’s father. The second is that an anti-Christian mob has gathered, headed for the church.

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I Am Still With You by Emmanuel Iduma (Feb 16th)

In this book, Emmanuel Iduma retraces his family history to uncover what really happened to his uncle, who enlisted in the Biafran infantry army – never to return.

Revealing the impact of conflict on memory and on families, he explores the experience of losing someone, not knowing for sure that they have died. Combining personal essay with history and travel writing, I Am Still With You explores the intergenerational consequences of civil conflict and the psychological impact on its communities.

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Fat Off, Fat On: A Big Bitch Manifesto by Clarkisha Kent (Mar 7th)

A humorous and at times tragic memoir, Fat Off Fat On explores the authors lived experiences to illuminate how fatphobia intertwines with other oppressions.

In this book, we follow Kent on her journey to realizing that her body is a gift to be grown into, that sometimes family doesn’t always mean home, and how even ill-fated bisexual romances could free her from gender essentialism.

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