This is a list of women writers who were born in Nigeria or whose writings are closely associated with that country.
A Hafsat Abdulwaheed (born 1952), author, poet, writing in Hausa Dadasare Abdullahi (1918–1984), first female journalist from Northern Nigeria, non-fiction writer, educator Catherine Acholonu (1951–2014), researcher, author, playwright, socio-political activist, professor Ayobami Adebayo (born 1988), novelist, short story writer Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (born 1963), human rights activist, non-fiction writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born 1977), novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo Abimbola Alao (active since the 1990s), non-fiction writer, short story writer, translator Lesley Nneka Arimah (born 1983), short story writer Nana Asma’u (1793–1864), princess, poet, teacher Sefi Atta (born 1964), novelist, short story writer, playwright Adaeze Atuegwu (born 1977), novelist, playwright, non-fiction writer Ayo Ayoola-Amale (active since 2000), poet, lawyer, cultural educator
B Simi Bedford (active since the 1990s), novelist
E Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017), novelist, children's writer, playwright, lived in Britain Rosemary Esehagu (born 1981), Nigerian-American novelist
F Bilkisu Funtuwa (active since 1994), Hausa novelist
I Jordan Ifueko (born 1997), fantasy writer Bassey Ikpi (born 1976), spoken-word poet, writer, mental health advocate Elizabeth Isichei (born 1939), non-fiction writer, historian, educator Betty Irabor, website magazine columnist
K Karen King-Aribisala (active since 1990), novelist, short story writer
M Amina Mama (born 1958), non-fiction writer, educator Sarah Ladipo Manyika (born 1968), Anglo-Nigerian novelist, short story writer, essayist Angela Miri (born 1959), academic and poet
N Nkiru Njoku (born c. 1980), screenwriter Nnamani Grace Odi (born 2001), writer Martina Nwakoby (born 1937), children's writer, novelist Flora Nwapa (1931–1993), novelist, short story writer, poet, children's writer, first African woman novelist published in Britain Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani (born 1976), novelist, humorist, essayist, journalist
O Taiwo Odubiyi (born 1965), romance novelist, children's writer, religious columnist Molara Ogundipe (1940–2019), poet, critic, non-fiction writer P. A. Ogundipe (1927–2020), educator and first Nigerian woman to be published in English Chioma Okereke, Nigerian-born poet, author and short story writer Julie Okoh (born 1947), playwright, feminist, educator Nnedi Okorafor (born 1974), science fiction and fantasy writer, Nigerian-American Nnedi Okorafor Ifeoma Okoye (born 1937), novelist, short story writer, children's writer Chinelo Okparanta (active since 2010), Nigerian-American short story writer, educator Ukamaka Olisakwe (born 1982), feminist writer, short story writer, screenwriter Ayodele Olofintuade, novelist and journalist Nuzo Onoh (born 1962), African Horror writer Osonye Tess Onwueme (born 1955), playwright, scholar, poet Ifeoma Onyefulu (born 1959), children's writer, novelist, photographer Bukola Oriola (born 1976), Nigerian American journalist, autobiographer Ayisha Osori (active since the late 1990s), lawyer, journalist, business executive Helen Ovbiagele (born 1944), romance novelist Helen Oyeyemi (born 1984), novelist
P Charmaine Pereira (active since the 1990s), feminist scholar, non-fiction writer
S Abidemi Sanusi (active since 2000), novelist Mabel Segun (1930–2025), poet, children's writer Taiye Selasi (born 1979), novelist, short story writer, photographer Lola Shoneyin (born 1974), poet, novelist Zulu Sofola (1935–1995), Nigeria's first published female playwright, educator
T Grace Oladunni Taylor (fl.1970–2004), biochemist, non-fiction writer Teresa Meniru (1931–1994), children's writer
U Ada Udechukwu (born 1960), poet and artist Purity Ada Uchechukwu (born 1971), academic Adaora Lily Ulasi (1932–2016), journalist, novelist Rosina Umelo (born 1930), short story writer, children's writer Chika Unigwe (born 1974), novelist, short story writer Pauline Uwakweh or Pauline Onwubiko, writer and academic
W Molara Wood (born 1969) journalist, short story writer Myne Whitman (born 1977), romance novelist
Y Balaraba Ramat Yakubu (born 1959), romance novelist Yewande Akinse (born 1992) Nigerian poet and author
References