These books by Nigerian female authors capture the complexity of womanhood and boldly tell our stories
via Unsplash
Books written by Nigerian female authors have long been a quiet rebellion. They boldly redefine femininity beyond the narrow roles society imposes.
When I read Oyinka Braithwaite’s “My Sister, the Serial Killer”, I was excited to encounter women who were unapologetically themselves. From Ayoola, who killed without remorse, to Korede, who cleaned up her messes. That story changed my expectation of what a Nigerian woman could be. Growing up, society always defined what a woman should be. “As a woman, you should…” was something I always heard from older aunties and elders, even from men. Society always tries to define the role of a woman, like a character that we should readily play. When I read through pages of books written by Nigerian female authors, I felt like I could finally define what a woman should be by myself.
These different characters helped shape me, helped me understand and explore myself as a woman. These characters reflected my struggles, dreams and desires, while guiding me to see a deeper part of my feminine self.
Nigerian female authors have told stories that peel back the layers of culture, tradition, and identity. These are a few books that give language to what it means to be a woman. They make space for a range of emotions — for softness, rage, joy, and everything in between. These books are reminders that femininity is multifaceted, it’s complicated, but ours to define.
Fiercely feminine
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” by Oyinka Braithwaite
Reading about a violent female character who suffers none of the consequences of being wrong was refreshing. The story follows Korede, the older sister with a moral compass, who cleans up after her sister, ensuring that she doesn’t get caught. Korede struggles with her sister’s disregard for life. She also struggles with her position as the older, single, dark-skinned woman who is encouraged to find a husband. The portrayal of sisterhood, as an unshakable bond that even death couldn’t sever, was important and nuanced. Korede’s strength in watching her sister date the man she’s in love with was also an important narrative and shaped a conversation on unrequited love.
“Butter Honey Pig Bread” by Francesca Ekwuyasi
A story about twins, Kehinde and Taiye, and their mother, Kambirinachi, who believes she is an Ogbanje — a conviction that shapes how she sees and treats her family. The loss of her husband and the abandonment by her mother drives her to emotional distress. The story also follows the twins as they run away and shape their own lives. Reading about women on their healing journey after traumatic events is a core part of femininity reflected. Taiye’s sexual freedom and her search for herself in others is a part of womanhood that is often overlooked in African novels. The textures of food, art, faith and forgiveness allow this book to explore an emotional range necessary for the female reader. Kehinde, who had to heal after sexual assault, is the true perspective of how a woman must be to survive.
A Black woman reading inside a library via Pinterest.
Embracing difference
“Under the Udala Trees” by Chinelo Okparanta
Ijeoma’s queerness is a focal point in the story. Not many Nigerian novels explore LGBTQIA topics, but this book offers a thoughtful and compelling perspective. Angles like this need to exist as they broaden representation. Ijeoma’s story captures the challenges women face in expressing their sexuality. Her resistance to religious and societal norms redefines femininity as freedom to love and love truthfully. From her early relationship with Amina during the Biafran War to the secrecy and shame that follow, Ijeoma is forced to navigate a world that views her identity as sinful and shameful. Her mother’s attempts to “correct” her through Bible study and fasting highlight the intense pressure to conform. Despite this, Ijeoma’s quiet resilience allows her to reclaim her truth, choosing self-acceptance over fear — an act of defiance that offers hope to others silenced by tradition.
Book cover of Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta via SINEM ERKAS
Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor
A young Nigerian girl, Sunny Nwazue, discovers that she is from a hidden world of magical heritage, unlocking powers she never knew she possessed. Akata Witch offers a refreshing blend of fantasy and cultural identity, centring on a protagonist who doesn’t fit neatly into her surroundings. Sunny’s journey is a coming-of-age story rooted in self-discovery, empowerment, and embracing difference. As she learns to harness her abilities alongside her friends, the novel celebrates the strength in uniqueness and community. Through magic and ancient traditions, Sunny reclaims her place in a world that once made her feel invisible. The story reimagines what it means to be powerful, especially as a young girl navigating both real and magical challenges.
In the wildly popular Purple Hibiscus, Adichie explores what it means to question and break away from oppressive traditions, especially within the family structure. Kambili, a quiet and obedient teenager, lives under the control of her devoutly Catholic and abusive father. Whose rigid interpretation of religion dictates every aspect of their lives. Through her time at Aunty Ifeoma’s freer, more open household, Kambili begins to experience a different kind of faith, love, and womanhood. One that embraces laughter, freedom, and critical thought. The novel captures the tension between silence and voice, tradition and change, showing how women, especially young girls, can slowly reclaim power in the face of generational and religious control. Kambili’s transformation reflects the quiet revolution many women face when they begin to imagine a life beyond inherited norms.
“Stay with Me” by Ayobami Adebayo
Set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Nigeria, Stay with Me tells the story of Yejide, a woman battling infertility in a society that measures her worth by motherhood. Yejide’s desperation to conceive leads her down a heartbreaking journey of secrets and sacrifice. The novel unpacks the emotional weight women carry, between love, loss, and societal expectation. The story challenges patriarchal ideas of marriage and womanhood. Yejide’s strength is not in her endurance alone, but in her willingness to confront the myths and expectations that threaten to define her.
Nigerian female authors are boldly reshaping how we define femininity. Through their characters, they peel back the layers of tradition, challenge restrictive norms, and show women redefining themselves on their own terms. Their stories are more than fiction – they create a spark that reminds us how women can live.
Patricia Ellah is the Features Editor at Marie Claire Nigeria. She is a writer, photographer, and visual storyteller. She studied Photography and Writing at Parsons The New School of Design. Her work has been published, exhibited, and collected across North America. Recently, her photographs were acquired by Library and Archives Canada.
