In the ever-evolving world of Nigerian literature, there’s a gradual revolution underway, and it’s being led by trans voices who refuse to be ignored. These authors aren’t just creating stories about trans people; they’re crafting entire worlds where gender is not a footnote but the beating heart of the narrative. If you haven’t caught wind of this literary wave yet, it’s high time to dive in, and these four books are the perfect starting point.
Akwaeke Emezi’s The Death of Vivek Oji takes us on an unforgettable journey through grief, love, and, most of all, identity. Vivek’s story is one of quiet defiance, a trans and gender-fluid journey wrapped in the complexities of family, culture, and desire. Emezi, a nonbinary writer themselves, weaves an intricate narrative where Vivek’s gender is both a mystery and a profound truth. This novel is not just about a person’s death; it’s about the death of a life that was never truly seen, a sharp critique of how society fails to understand those who live outside its norms.
When We Speak of Nothing by Olumide Popoola is another must-read, particularly for those interested in the intersection of trans identity and belonging. The protagonist, Karl, is a trans boy navigating the turbulence of adolescence while living in Nigeria, a country that demands conformity in ways that range from oppressive to outright dangerous. Popoola’s prose captures the relentless search for self in a world that insists on otherness, making Karl’s struggles feel both deeply personal and politically urgent. The novel’s nuance in portraying the trans experience within a society that doesn’t fully recognize it is a triumph.
Then, there’s She Called Me Woman, a revelatory anthology of queer Nigerian women’s stories. The eponymous title alone is a declaration: to be called a woman is not just a biological fact; it’s a social construct, one that many of these writers are forced to deconstruct. The anthology is a window into lives lived in defiance of societal expectations, where gender becomes a site of both violence and power. It’s a necessary collection that makes room for trans voices to speak, to be heard, and to assert their own definitions of self.
Finally, we have Vagabonds, a collection that showcases Nigerian stories from all corners of the spectrum, but the story Gold stands out as a trans masterpiece. Gold explores the delicate balance of self and society, capturing the transformation of its protagonist who, much like the precious metal in the title, is reshaped by external forces. The way the story tackles transness is both sensitive and confrontational, refusing to simplify the struggles of identity into easy answers. In a world that demands trans people conform to binary ideas of gender, Gold is a fierce rebellion.
In these books, Nigerian authors are refusing to let trans stories be secondary or sidelined. They are writing their truths unapologetically, revealing the richness of lived experience and the fierce joy and pain that comes with owning your identity. So, pick up these novels, not just to read, but to understand, to feel, and to be part of the conversation that is slowly but surely shifting the cultural tide.