- For those who attended Nigerian primary and secondary schools in the 90s and early 2000s, this should be relatable
- Literature was one of the major drive of reading culture Nigerian primary and secondary schools back in the days
- TheRadar curated 20 nostalgic literature titles that rocked the childhood and teenage days of Nigerian schools
If you ever attended primary or secondary school in Nigeria between the ‘90s and early 2000s when reading was a delight for every Nigerian kid, then this is for you.
Reminiscing on memories of the good old days not only reminds us of how time has flown past us but the memories that remain golden in many years to come.
This time was a time when knowledge was sought within the pages of books particularly literature and not the tempting screen of overpriced technology.
These books were beyond just being mere entertainment but held values and perspectives that shaped our understanding of Nigerian culture and the world today.
On TheRadar’s throwback series today, we look back at 20 unforgettable favourite literature books that built an admirable reading culture among Nigerian kids in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Check the list below to find your nostalgic favourite book.
20 literature books to remind you of the good old days in Nigerian schools
- Chike and The River — Chinua Achebe
This nostalgic book was written by popular writer and novelist Chinua Achebe. It tells the story of a young boy Chike, who left his mother in the village to go to the city to study. Chike and the River is a book for mischievous kids and the consequences of failing to adhere to our parents’ instructions.
- Eze Goes to School — Nzekwi and Crowder
There's no way anyone who grew up in Nigeria or attended Nigerian primary or secondary school, would miss this. It was really a thing back then. It tells the story of Eze who left home to attend school and most of all how he conquered his challenges faced in school. The book paints the reality of every Nigerian kid in school at the time and leaves a lesson that even school has challenges but one always has to deal with it.
- Without a Silver Spoon — Eddie Iroh
One central message of Without a Silver Spoon is ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ The title is captivating and I remember picking up the book because of it. The didactic lessons of the book is a reason for its recommendation in Nigerian schools.
- Women of Owu — Femi Osofisan
Women of Owu was originally published in 2006 by Femi Osofisan. It is a drama-based novel that revolves around the sufferings imposed by wars. The main crux is empathy for victims of war, especially the women of Owu. I remember acting in the play in secondary school.
- Purple Hibiscus — Chimamanda Adichie
This remains my all-time favourite. The plot twist at the end was totally unexpected. From the simple yet captivating style of Chimamanda in telling the story to the plot of the novel. The memory is fresh and nostalgic. It had to be on this list.
- Sugar Girl — Kola Onadipe
- Last Days at Forcados High School — A.H Mohammed
- A Woman in Her Prime — Asare Konadu
- Lonely Days — Bayo Adebowale
- So Long A Letter — Fatima Ba
- Joys of Motherhood — Buchi Emecheta
- Native Son — Richard Wright
- Things Fall Apart — Chinua Achebe
- The Incorruptible Judge — D.Olu Olagoke
- Drummer Boy — Cyprian Ekwensi
- The Gods are not Blame — Ola Rotimi
- The Trials of Brother Jero — Wole Soyinka
- Old Man and the Sea — Ernest Hemingway
- Harvest of Corruption — Frank Ogodo Ogbeche
- The Blood of a Stranger — Dele Charley
Did we miss your favourite nostalgic literature?
#Throwback Thursday: 10 nostalgic Nigerian TV series only millennials would remember
There are so many things to reminisce about Nigeria especially with the challenging times we are currently in which spurred TheRadar’s previous report.
TheRadar took a trip down memory lane to highlight some of the old and classic favourite Television series in Nigeria in the 90s and early 2000s.
