The Famished Road, first published in 1991, stands as one of Okri’s most celebrated works. This novel earned him the Booker McConnell Prize for Fiction. Following its success, he released sequels titled Songs of Enchantment in 1993 and Infinite Riches in 1998.

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart is hailed as a cornerstone of African literature in English. In this novel, Achebe examines the social challenges his people face in the aftermath of colonialism. Published in 1959, Things Fall Apart is essential reading for those interested in African fiction, particularly works by Nigerian authors.

War Stories: A Memoir of Nigeria and Biafra (2002), written by John Sherman, is a personal account of his experiences in Nigeria. Initially a Peace Corps volunteer in 1966, Sherman later served with the International Committee of the Red Cross during the Nigerian Civil War. His memoir offers a vivid depiction of the war’s impact on children.

Flora Nwapa holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian woman to be published in Nigeria and the first black African woman published in England. Her novel Efuru (1966) tells the story of a woman who, despite setbacks in marriage and motherhood, exemplifies female independence and spiritual resilience.

Tsitsi Dangarembga, hailing from Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia), is another notable African author who focuses on young protagonists. In her novel Nervous Conditions (1988), Dangarembga narrates the coming-of-age story of a young woman in 1960s colonial Rhodesia. The protagonist, Tambu, grapples with issues related to gender, cultural identity, colonialism, wealth, education, and eating disorders.