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Yes, it’s time to raise a toast to the bookish heroes of 2023, the authors who brought stories to life and left us gasping for breath, clutching tissues, and maybe even rearranging our bookshelves with newfound urgency. This year, ten literary titans have etched their names onto the very spine of reading history. Each book they crafted in 2023 is a monument to their imagination, proof of the power of language to transport us, comfort us, and shake us to our very core. In this article, I will be listing our top 10 authors of 2023 based on the iconic books they wrote this year.

Suyi Davies Okungbowa

Suyi is a cool writer. He tells stories that have magic and African tales mixed. Imagine a world where strange things can happen, and you meet characters from African stories. It’s like going on an adventure in your mind. He wrote Warrior of the Wind this year.

Ukamaka Olisakwe

Ukamaka tells stories about Nigeria. She talks about how people live here, the good times, and the tough times. Her stories help us understand what life is like for different people in Nigeria. Her iconic work this year is Don’t Answer When They Call Your Name.

Ayòbámi Adébáyò

Ayòbámi is a great storyteller. She writes about people’s feelings and families. It’s like reading about your own emotions and the people you care about. She also talks about the challenges that Nigeria, her home country, is facing. In 2023, she wrote the remarkable A Spell of Good Things.

Lola Akande

Lola’s stories are about how people get along with each other in Nigeria. She talks about what is considered normal and how things are changing. It’s like reading about the everyday lives of people and the changes happening in the country. In 2023, Akande created a masterpiece in The Truth About Sadia.

Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

Adam is a storyteller who talks about love and politics. He uses the rich culture of Nigeria to make his stories interesting. It’s like reading about people falling in love, dealing with politics, and how their lives change. His iconic work this year is When We Were Fireflies.

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Chika Unigwe

Chika’s stories often take us to Europe, where Nigerians live. She shows us that even though they are far from home, they still feel the same things about belonging and identity. It’s like a journey through the lives of Nigerians in a different part of the world. Unigwe blew our minds with The Middle Daughter this year.

Ike Anya

Ike is good at making stories that keep you on the edge of your seat. His stories are like puzzles that make you think. Imagine trying to solve a mystery while reading a book – that’s how exciting Ike’s stories are. His amazing 2023 non-fiction is Small by Small: Becoming a Doctor in 1990s Nigeria.

Emmanuel Iduma

Emmanuel is unique because he uses both writing and pictures to tell stories. His words and images make us think about who we are, where we are, and how we see the world. It’s like taking a visual journey through different perspectives. He brings history to life in I Am Still With You: A Reckoning with Silence, Inheritance, and History.

Adetoun Jegede

Amidst everything else she does, Adetoun is an amazing writer. Her poems make us feel and think about simple moments in life and the beauty of friendships. No wonder in 2023, she gifted the world with her iconic non-fiction, Building Forever Friendships.

David Hundeyin

David talks about what’s happening in the world right now, especially in Nigeria. His stories make us think deeply about our society and how it’s changing. It’s like reading a book that helps you understand the big things going on around us and how they affect our lives. His 2023 work is The Jungle: A Personal Journey with the Enfant Terrible of Nigerian Journalism.

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Final Thoughts

2023 was a year where Nigerian voices roared, igniting imaginations and leaving readers hungry for more. These top 10 authors are just the tip of the iceberg, proof of the incredible talent brimming within the Nigerian literary scene. So, raise a glass to these wordsmiths and their captivating creations. And to the budding writers out there, let this be your inspiration to pick up your pen, unleash your voice, and join the literary dance. The world is waiting to hear your story.

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This article was first published on 27th December 2023

chidiogo-akaelu

Chidiogo Shalom Akaelu holds a degree in English and Literary Studies, from the University of Nigeria. She is a freelance writer, editor and founder of Loana Press, a budding online publishing outlet.