Nigerian novels that have been made into screen adaptations

There is something undeniably captivating about the moment when the intriguing plot of a novel is brought to life on the big screen. Suddenly, the quirky characters, the scenes you’ve long imagined, become a real, electrifying sight that you can behold. Such is the magic happening with Nigerian literature, as many more novels are made into films for global audiences, highlighting a cinematic gateway into the rich, vibrant world of Nigerian storytelling.

For decades, Nigerian literature has provided a profound lens through which readers could explore the country’s multifaceted identity. Authors like Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sefi Atta have masterfully woven narratives that tackle the complexities of Nigerian culture, history and politics. These works focus on themes of post-colonialism, tradition versus modernity, and the ongoing struggle for identity in a rapidly globalising world. Here are four celebrated Nigerian novels that have been made into motion pictures.

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Half of a Yellow Sun is a film adaptation of Adichie’s 2006 award-winning novel of the same name. Set during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), the story follows the lives of twin sisters, Olanna and Kainene, whose lives take very different paths. Olanna becomes romantically involved with Odenigbo, a revolutionary professor, while Kainene takes over the family’s business and becomes romantically linked with a British expatriate, Richard. 

As the war unfolds, their lives are upended, and their relationships are tested by the political and emotional upheaval caused by the conflict. The film interweaves personal stories of love and betrayal with  colonial legacy and the brutality of war, while also focusing on the personal struggles of individuals trying to navigate life amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Its first official release was on 8th September 2013 (Toronto International Film Festival), then on 11th April 2014 (UK), and 1st August 2014 (Nigeria). Directed by Biyi Bandele and produced by Andrea Calderwood and Gail Egan. Its leading acts include Thandiwe Newton as Olanna, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Odenigbo, John Boyega as Ugwu, among others.

Beasts of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala

Written by Nigerian-American writer Uzodinma Iweala, the novel follows a child soldier, Agu, forced into the horrors of war in an unnamed West African country. It examines the psychological and emotional toll of violence on young children. A film adaptation of the same name was released by Netflix in 2015 to wide reception. 

Elba, who stars as the ruthless commandant that recruits Agu into his rebel army, earned numerous accolades for his striking performance. Beasts of No Nation is celebrated for its raw depiction of the horrors of war and the loss of innocence, highlighting the impact of conflict on children. The film marked a significant moment for Netflix, as it was the platform’s first original feature release. 

Swallow by Sefi Atta 

Set in the 1980s Lagos, Swallow charts the lives of Tolani Ajao, a young secretary working for a corrupt bank, and her roommate Rose, who is entangled in a dangerous drug trafficking scheme. As their circumstances worsen, Tolani faces a crossroads: should she compromise her values and follow in Rose’s footsteps? The novel explores themes of survival, corruption, gender roles, and the impact of societal pressures on women in Nigeria.

In 2021, Swallow was adapted into a Netflix original film directed and produced by renowned Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan. 

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Perhaps no other novel has drawn as much acclaim in modern history as Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, published in 1958. More than half a century since it went to press, the African classic has become a staple of children’s literature, translated into more than 50 languages. 

In September 2024, Things Fall Apart was announced to be adapted into an upcoming TV miniseries starring British actor Idris Elba, a casting choice that stirred a furore among Nigerians. In addition to playing the lead role, Elba will serve as an executive producer alongside David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka under their Yoruba Saxon banner and Gina Carter of 22Summers. 

Set in the 1980s, the novel follows the life of Okonkwo, an Igbo warrior in pre-colonial Nigeria, to depict the clash between traditional Igbo societies and British colonialism, marked by British missionaries. It deals with themes of identity, culture and conflict.

This adaptation promises to bring Okonkwo’s tragic struggle to life, exploring the disruption of African cultures by British colonisation. Hollywood’s latest foray into the classic follows earlier releases such as a 1971 adaptation entitled Bullfrog in the Sun and also a miniseries featuring iconic Pete Edochie as Okonkwo.

In recent years, film adaptations of Nigerian novels have helped to bridge the rest of the world with Nigeria, often viewed through the jaundiced lens of political unrest, corruption and poverty. But through these adaptations, viewers are exposed to a varied landscape that is rich in culture, brimming with creativity and full of people whose stories are as varied and complex as anywhere else in the world.

More than just a trend, the development of Nigerian classic novels into global films marks the beginning of a larger cultural conversation about representation, identity and the power of storytelling.