Must-Read Nigerian Books 2025: 8 Powerful Stories You’ll Love

June 22, 2025

Looking for must-read Nigerian books in 2025? These unforgettable titles by Nigerian authors will stay with you long after the last page.

Whether you’re trying to get back into reading or you’re the “I don’t go anywhere without a book” type, this list has something for you. From dysfunctional families to dark humor and deeply personal stories, these must-read Nigerian novels are some of the most compelling books by Nigerian authors you’ll find this year.

1. Stay With Me – Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀

A heartbreaking and beautifully written Nigerian novel about love, motherhood, and loss. Stay With Me explores the tension between tradition and personal choice in a gripping, emotional way.
📌 Genre: Contemporary Fiction
📚 Get it on Bookmarketng

2. Blackass – A. Igoni Barrett

In this satirical fiction novel, a young Nigerian man wakes up with white skin — and his life changes instantly. Blackass is a bold and hilarious take on race, identity, and survival in Lagos.
📌 Genre: Satirical Fiction
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

3. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives – Lola Shoneyin

This bestselling Nigerian novel dives into the lives of four wives in a polygamous household. It’s emotional, funny, and filled with secrets. One of the most talked-about Nigerian books of the last decade.
📌 Genre: Domestic Drama
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

4. My Sister, The Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite

A darkly comic crime novel about a woman whose sister has a nasty habit of killing her boyfriends. My Sister, The Serial Killer is fast-paced, clever, and full of Lagos grit.
📌 Genre: Crime Fiction, Thriller
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

5. Daughters Who Walk This Path – Yejide Kilanko

A deeply emotional coming-of-age story about family, trauma, and healing. One of the most powerful Nigerian books dealing with gender and silence.
📌 Genre: Literary Fiction
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

6. A Broken People’s Playlist – Chimeka Garricks

A collection of short stories inspired by Nigerian music. This book captures heartbreak, longing, and joy in a way that hits hard. Perfect for readers who love books with emotional depth.
📌 Genre: Short Story Collection
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

7. Dream Count – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

A quiet, reflective novel about longing, reinvention, and choosing yourself. In Dream Count, Adichie delivers her signature clarity and emotional punch.
📌 Genre: Literary Fiction
📚 Shop it on Bookmarketng

8. More Must-Read Nigerian Books Coming Soon 😉

We know we said 10, but we believe in giving you quality over quantity. These 8 must-read Nigerian books are solid picks — and if we find more gems? You’ll be the first to know.