- Nigerian authors and their works are gaining recognition and winning readers across the world
- From pages of books, some of these books have made it to the screen and adapted into films
- Inspired by vibrant peoples and cultures, charming plots, and a rich oral and literary heritage, TheRadar curated 10 Nigerian novels made into films
Nigerian Filmmakers and beyond have begun to explore the stories embedded in Nigerian novels—helping readers experience visual scenes of what they have read.
Over the years, several Nigerian novels have been adapted into films by producers and directors in appreciation of the richness of its stories.
Nigerian novels over the years have proven to be great story materials for filmmaking and here is a spotlight of 10 Nigerian novels curated by TheRadar adapted into films.
- ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The novel Half of a Yellow Sun was published in 2006 by famous Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie. The story is set in the turmoil of the Nigerian civil war. It was told through the perspectives of three characters, Ugwu—a young teenager who worked as a house boy to a lecturer, Olanna—the lecturer’s mistress and Charles—a young English man. In 2013, Nigerian filmmaker Biyi Bandele adapted the film and directed it. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Noni Rose and John Boyega.
- ‘Beast of no Nation’ - Uzodinma Iweala
Uzodinma Iweala’s Beast of No Nation is a 2005 novel which borrows its title from Fela Kuti’s album of the same title. The story revolves around a boy who turns into a child soldier in a West African country’s atrocious civil war. In 2015, the novel was adapted into a film featuring popular British actor Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Kurt Egyiawan and Ama Abebrese. It was directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga.
- ‘Things Fall Apart’ - Chinua Achebe
The novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ published in 1958 is set in the southeastern part of Nigeria during the colonial period and towards the arrival of the Europeans in the 1900s. It was adapted into a film starring legendary actors Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh and Sam Loco Efe. The series was broadcast by the Nigeria Television Authority. ‘Things Fall Apart’ is currently in works to be adapted into a series in 2024.
- ‘Death and The King's Horseman’ - Wole Soyinka
Popular Nigerian writer and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka wrote the novel, Death and The King’s Horseman on account of the colonial era in Nigeria. The story follows Elesin Oba, who must commit suicide after the death of the Yoruba King but his mission is interrupted by a British Colonial officer who arrests him (Elesin Oba). The 1975 novel was made into a film by Nigerian filmmaker Biyi Bandele in collaboration with Netflix and EbonyLife TV. Joke Silva, Jide Kosoko, Odunlade Adekoya and Shaffy Bello were the cast.
- ‘Swallow’ - Sefi Attah
Published in 2010, Swallow by Sefi Attah is a Nigerian novel set in the 1980s in Lagos. It tells the story of two friends, Tolani and Rose, who suffers sexual harassment from their boss. Navigating the traumatising terrain drives the story. Produced by Netflix and directed by Kunle Afolayan, Swallow finds its story on the big screen. Deyemi Okanlawon, Eniola Badmus, and Mercy Aigbe, amongst others, starred in the film title.
- ‘Maami’ - Femi Osofisan
- ‘No Longer at Ease’ - Chinua Achebe
- ‘Kongi’s Harvest’ - Wole Soyinka
- ‘The Virgin’ - Bayo Adebowale
- ‘The Perfect Church’ - Ebi Akpeti
6 Nollywood films about bad governance, corruption, revolution
Earlier, TheRadar opined that in our rapidly changing world, art has become a vehicle for emotions, empathy, and introspection. Nollywood is a veritable tool.
Based on the #endbadgovernance nationwide protest, which started on August 1, with thousands of Nigerians protesting against hunger and bad governance, TheRadar earlier examined 6 Nollywood films that have touched on the issue of bad governance and corruption.
