Exceptional Nigerian female authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nnedi Okorafor, Eloghosa Osunde and the likes are blessing us with some of the best Nigerian novels of 2025. And honestly, what better way to celebrate their brilliance than in a month dedicated to honoring women? If you’re a woman reading this, we see you, we celebrate you, and we hope you find stories this year that speak to your soul.
Now, if you’re anything like us, the start of a new year isn’t just about resolutions, it’s also about fresh literary adventures too! (I hope you’re with us on this.) Nigerian literature has always been rich with vibrant storytelling and cultural depth, and 2025 book releases are bringing us some absolute gems. Whether you’re already a fan of top Nigerian novels or just diving in, we’ve got a list of must-read books in 2025 that will pull you in, make you think, and keep you turning the pages.
So, are you ready? Let’s explore the top Nigerian novel recommendations that will shape our bookshelves—and our hearts—this year!
Our Top 4 Best Nigerian Novels to Read in 2025
Dream Count By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
It’s been twelve years since Americanah took the literary world by storm, and now, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is back with a brand-new novel—Dream Count. If you loved Zikora, her 2020 Amazon Original short story, you’re in for a treat!
This time, Adichie expands Zikora’s world, weaving a powerful tale of friendship, love, and the tough choices that shape our lives. Alongside her best friend, Chiamaka, Zikora embarks on a deeply personal journey, and if Adichie’s track record is anything to go by, Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is set to be another must-read book in 2025.
Death of the Author By Nnedi Okorafor
Originally titled The AfricanFuturist, this novel introduces us to Zelu, a disabled Nigerian-American writer whose path to literary stardom through her science fiction epic Rusted Robots becomes a riveting exploration of identity, family, and the true cost of success.
And here’s something personal Okorafor herself shared:
“I wrote this from the gut, through pain, and because of the loss of my sister.”
Can you feel the raw emotion in that? It’s a turning point not just for Zelu, but for the author too, who has reshaped Nigerian literature with works like Who Fears Death, Akata Witch, and Remote Control. This new novel is as much about storytelling as it is about healing and understanding the price we pay for our dreams.
If you love powerful, deeply personal stories, then Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor is a part of the top Nigerian novels of 2025 that deserves a spot on your reading list.
The Tiny Things Are Heavier By Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo
Imagine leaving home with the weight of family trauma pressing on your shoulders. That’s exactly where we meet Sommy in this highly anticipated debut novel The Tiny Things Are Heavier by Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo. Just two weeks after her brother Mezie’s suicide attempt, Sommy moves to the U.S. for grad school, but no distance can erase the guilt she carries.
As she navigates a new world, tensions rise with her Nigerian roommate, Bayo, and an unexpected romance with Bryan—a biracial American struggling with his Nigerian roots. This forces her to confront her own identity.
Moving between Lagos and the American Midwest, this novel is a beautifully told story of displacement, belonging, and the emotional weight we carry. Kiley Reid calls it “gracefully told and sharply observed,” and honestly, if you love deeply moving, thought-provoking fiction, this is one of the best Nigerian novels in 2025 that needs to be on your reading list!
The Edge of Water By Olufunke Grace Bankole
What if chasing your dreams meant defying fate itself? That’s the heart of The Edge of Water, Olufunke Grace Bankole’s breathtaking debut novel.
Set between Nigeria and New Orleans, it follows Amina, a young Nigerian woman who ignores a prophetic warning to pursue her American dream—until a hurricane threatens to wash it all away.
Blending Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore, Bankole masterfully weaves the stories of three generations of women, each struggling with love, loss, and the fine line between destiny and desire.
This novel is set to be an unforgettable journey through faith, ambition, and the powerful bonds between mothers and daughters. If you want interesting novels to read, this is one that belongs on your radar!
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With so many exciting 2025 book releases, this year promises unforgettable stories that capture love, ambition, and identity in powerful ways. From Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s much-anticipated Dream Count to other compelling Nigerian book recommendations for 2025, there’s no shortage of books to inspire and transport you.
And what better time to celebrate these stories than this month, a time dedicated to honoring women? With both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to uplift the voices of women writers and share the gift of literature with the women who inspire us.
That’s where our Girl Power Hamper comes in! Thoughtfully curated with must-read books for 2025—including Dream Count, plus delightful extras, it’s the ultimate gift for the book lovers in your life.
Whether you’re treating yourself, your mom, a sister, or a friend, let’s celebrate the magic of storytelling and the women who bring these stories to life.
Ready to make someone’s day extra special?
Explore a range of our Girl Power Hampers today and share the joy of literature and love.
