Books from Nigeria

Say You’re One of Them is a collection of five interconnected-in-spirit stories set in different African countries, exploring the lives of children caught in circumstances far beyond their control. Through the eyes of young narrators, Uwem Akpan portrays the devastating effects of poverty, religious conflict, human trafficking, and political violence on families and communities. Written with emotional intensity and compassion, the collection challenges readers to look beyond headlines and statistics to recognise the individual lives behind Africa’s social and political crises. Rather than reducing its characters to victims, Akpan gives them distinctive voices, relationships, and hopes, creating a powerful portrait of childhood under extreme circumstances.

Set primarily in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, A Broken People’s Playlist is a collection of twelve interconnected short stories about love, loss, family, betrayal, and the possibility of redemption. Each story takes its title from a song, using music as an emotional thread that connects the characters and their experiences. Together, the stories form a portrait of a city and its people, revealing the beauty and brokenness of everyday life. The collection introduces a diverse cast of characters navigating personal crises and complicated relationships. A teenage boy dreams of becoming a DJ while his family falls apart, only to reappear years later as a troubled middle-aged man. Elsewhere, a dying man attempts to organise his own funeral while he is still alive, and a husband struggles to cope with the aftermath of his wife’s miscarriage. Other stories explore infidelity, friendship, grief, and the consequences of choices that cannot easily be undone. Through its music-inspired structure and interconnected narratives, the collection explores how people endure heartbreak, make mistakes, and search for meaning amid life’s disappointments. It is ultimately a reflection on human imperfection and the possibility of finding connection and hope even when life feels irreparably broken.