List of Nigerian women writers

This is a list of women writers who were born in Nigeria or whose writings are closely associated with that country.

A

• Hafsat Abdulwaheed (born 1952), author, poet, writing in Hausa
• Dadasare Abdullahi (1918–1984), first female journalist from Northern Nigeria, non-fiction writer, educator
• Catherine Acholonu (1951–2014), researcher, author, playwright, socio-political activist, professor
• Ayobami Adebayo (born 1988), novelist, short story writer
• Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (born 1963), human rights activist, non-fiction writer
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 1977), novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer
• Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo
• Abimbola Alao (active since the 1990s), non-fiction writer, short story writer, translator
• Lesley Nneka Arimah (born 1983), short story writer
• Nana Asma’u (1793–1864), princess, poet, teacher
• Sefi Atta (born 1964), novelist, short story writer, playwright
• Adaeze Atuegwu (born 1977), novelist, playwright, non-fiction writer
• Ayo Ayoola-Amale (active since 2000), poet, lawyer, cultural educator

B

• Simi Bedford (active since the 1990s), novelist

E

• Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017), novelist, children's writer, playwright, lived in Britain
• Rosemary Esehagu (born 1981), Nigerian-American novelist

F

• Bilkisu Funtuwa (active since 1994), Hausa novelist

I

• Jordan Ifueko (born 1997), fantasy writer
• Bassey Ikpi (born 1976), spoken-word poet, writer, mental health advocate
• Elizabeth Isichei (born 1939), non-fiction writer, historian, educator
• Betty Irabor, website magazine columnist

K

• Karen King-Aribisala (active since 1990), novelist, short story writer

M

• Amina Mama (born 1958), non-fiction writer, educator
• Sarah Ladipo Manyika (born 1968), Anglo-Nigerian novelist, short story writer, essayist
• Angela Miri (born 1959), academic and poet

N

• Nkiru Njoku (born c. 1980), screenwriter
• Nnamani Grace Odi (born 2001), writer
• Martina Nwakoby (born 1937), children's writer, novelist
• Flora Nwapa (1931–1993), novelist, short story writer, poet, children's writer, first African woman novelist published in Britain
• Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani (born 1976), novelist, humorist, essayist, journalist

O

• Taiwo Odubiyi (born 1965), romance novelist, children's writer, religious columnist
• Molara Ogundipe (1940–2019), poet, critic, non-fiction writer
• P. A. Ogundipe (1927–2020), educator and first Nigerian woman to be published in English
• Chioma Okereke, Nigerian-born poet, author and short story writer
• Julie Okoh (born 1947), playwright, feminist, educator
• Nnedi Okorafor (born 1974), science fiction and fantasy writer, Nigerian-American Nnedi Okorafor
• Ifeoma Okoye (born 1937), novelist, short story writer, children's writer
• Chinelo Okparanta (active since 2010), Nigerian-American short story writer, educator
• Ukamaka Olisakwe (born 1982), feminist writer, short story writer, screenwriter
• Ayodele Olofintuade, novelist and journalist
• Nuzo Onoh (born 1962), African Horror writer
• Osonye Tess Onwueme (born 1955), playwright, scholar, poet
• Ifeoma Onyefulu (born 1959), children's writer, novelist, photographer
• Bukola Oriola (born 1976), Nigerian American journalist, autobiographer
• Ayisha Osori (active since the late 1990s), lawyer, journalist, business executive
• Helen Ovbiagele (born 1944), romance novelist
• Helen Oyeyemi (born 1984), novelist

P

• Charmaine Pereira (active since the 1990s), feminist scholar, non-fiction writer

S

• Abidemi Sanusi (active since 2000), novelist
• Mabel Segun (1930–2025), poet, children's writer
• Taiye Selasi (born 1979), novelist, short story writer, photographer
• Lola Shoneyin (born 1974), poet, novelist
• Zulu Sofola (1935–1995), Nigeria's first published female playwright, educator

T

• Grace Oladunni Taylor (fl.1970–2004), biochemist, non-fiction writer
• Teresa Meniru (1931–1994), children's writer

U

• Ada Udechukwu (born 1960), poet and artist
• Purity Ada Uchechukwu (born 1971), academic
• Adaora Lily Ulasi (1932–2016), journalist, novelist
• Rosina Umelo (born 1930), short story writer, children's writer
• Chika Unigwe (born 1974), novelist, short story writer
• Pauline Uwakweh or Pauline Onwubiko, writer and academic

W

• Molara Wood (born 1969) journalist, short story writer
• Myne Whitman (born 1977), romance novelist

Y

• Balaraba Ramat Yakubu (born 1959), romance novelist
• Yewande Akinse (born 1992) Nigerian poet and author

References