A Critical Delve Into What Distinguishes Nigerian Writers

By Nwuguru Chidiebere Sullivan

Nigerian literature as an avenue of expression is borne out of a myriad of issues arising from the realities of the Nigerian people; our values, experience, and its position in the past, present and future of our society at large. Regardless of the genre one approaches literature from as a Nigerian, they often end up as a sensitive reflection of the Nigerian society, which they do while wearing the persona that is mostly tripartite in form, thus; demystifying the reflections of our society, first as an observer, then a questionnaire, and lastly, as a reformer.

As writers from a nation that is multi-diverse in culture, tradition, and language; a nation that has witnessed so many important historical points through the pre-colonial stage, colonial stage, civil war, military coups, and continuous failure of the government to meet up the common expectations of the masses, it’s a very relatable omen to have such breed of writers express themselves in a manner that puts them so close to these issues. The blend of these matters is one of the major ingredients that impact uniqueness in the arts of Nigerian writers, and as a way of reflection, it mirrors what is obtainable in society.

Moving away from the ugly sides of Nigerian society and its huge impact on the beauty, and uniqueness of the literary outputs, our diversity is another huge factor that fuels the dexterity with which Nigerian writers express themselves. The distance between language and a writer determines how well they tell their story. Nigeria as a nation is blessed with wide varieties of language and culture, and this is always a big advantage to any writer who explores and mirrors our society through the spectrums of such a rare advantage. Being able to pass a thought through the reflections of various tongues and cultures is a flex that Nigerian writers wield, and this enables them to churn out their art in the closest humane perception possible. For instance, a typical scholar in Nigeria has the Queen’s English, pidgin English, a variety of dialects at their disposal, and can think as a writer through these languages, while reflecting it through the lens of our various cultures is an advantage that could grant one’s art a driving distinguishing force.

Overall, experiencing Nigeria as a writer is a thing that is capable of bringing one close to the different shades of life, and there will always be something so fresh to write about. Writing is easily a way most people here, touch life at the softest spot without the fear of losing the glimpse of it, hence, this proximity enables these writers to express life in its mundane form, making the narrative colourful and memorable enough to have the readers always looking out for more. It is one thing that has remained with us since the days of Achebe, and every day, new writers emerge somewhere, breaking the earth to make a mark on Nigerian literature.