10 Award Winning Nigerian authors based abroad

Almost, all of Nigeria's Award winning authors were born or migrated Abroad. But interestingly, their writings always tilt towards their roots.

Here are some award winning Nigerian Authors who live abroad:

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda is perhaps the most popular contemporary African author. Born in Nigeria, Chimamanda left for the United States on scholarhip. She has authored 4 books all written while she was in America including 'Americanah', a book that talks about a Nigerian girl travel and experience in the U.S.

Read: 10 things you may not Know about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2. Chigozie Obioma

Born in Akure, Ondo State, Chigozie Obioma has been described by the New York Times as "the heir to Chinua Achebe" because of his book 'The Fishermen' which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2015.

He currently lives in the United States where he is a Helen Zell Fellow in creative writing at the University of Michigan.

3. Helen Olajumoke Oyeyemi

Helen is a Nigerian born British novelist. She wrote her first book 'The Icarus Girl', while still at school studying for her A levels. In 2013 she was included in the Granta Best Of Young British Novelists list.

She is still living in the U.K and she has 5 published novels to her credit.

4. Helon Habila

Born in Gombe State, Nigeria, Helon Habila finished from the University Of Jos and he worked as a lecturer and journalist in Nigeria before moving to England. He won the Caine Prize for African fiction (short story) in 2001, and the Commonwealth Writers Prize (Best First Book, Africa Region) in 2003.

Habila is a founding member and currently serves on the advisory board of African Writers Trust, "a non-profit entity which seeks to coordinate and bring together African writers in the Diaspora"

5. Sefi Atta

Born in Lagos, Sefi Atta attended Queens College Yaba. Her father Abdul-Aziz Atta was the Secretary to Federal Government and Head of the Civil Service until his death in 1972.

She’s won the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature and the NOMA award which is Africa’s most prestigious awards. She lives in the United States with her husband Gboyega Ransome-Kuti and their daughter Temi.

6. Chika Unigwe

Born in Enugu, Nigeria, Chika Unigwe Author of ‘On Black Sister’s Street’ has won the 2003 BBC Short Story Competition and a Commonwealth Short Story Award. She was also nominated for the 2004 Caine Prize.

She now lives in Turnhout, Belgium, with her husband and four children.

7. Chris Abani

Born in Afikpo, Nigeria, Chris Abani ha authored 4 novels including ‘Becoming Abigael, Song for night etc. He has won so many awards including a PEN Beyond the Margins Award, the PEN Hemingway Book Prize and a Guggenheim Award.

Chris Abani currently resides in the U.S and he is a Professor at the University of California.

8. Tope Folarin

Born in Ogden, Utah in the United States of America. He is the winner of the 14th Caine Prize for African Writing for his short story titled 'Miracle'

He is living and working presently in Washington D.C.

9. Uwem Akpan

Born in Ikot Akpan Eda in southern Nigeria, Uwem Akpan became very popular in 2009, when his debut collection of short stories “Say You’re One Of Them,” was picked by Oprah Winfrey and included in her book club.

The book rocketed to the top of the U.S. bestseller list after the endorsement by the chat show host, who said the book had left her “stunned and profoundly moved. It also won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, the PEN Open Book Award.

He currently lives in the U.S.

10. Uchendu Precious Onuoha

Born in Nigeria, Uchendu Precious Onuoha wrote The Road We Travelled a book drawn out of the author’s life, experiences across the world, from his background to his sojourn in Europe.

He won the Editor’s Choice Award in poetry 2008, from the International Library of Poetry. He currently lives in Spain.

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