Greatest Nigerian writer.

The greatest Nigerian writer so far is Chinua Achebe .A very good match for him is Wole Soyinka,Achebe has an edge over soyinka in the nigerian context in that he portrays Nigerian culture in his writings , while a good number of soyinkas is so esoteric that it is meant for the western markets.

we tend to neglect the fact our past president(political hero) in person of president obasanjo is a writer, i think he should be king to badge that title
for more evidence on this fact, go get "my command, Nzeogwu," and lots more in any of the national libraries nationwide.

@ blackgee


Are you a fan of the gorilla who ran away from the zoo or what? Till next millenium I think,, no, I know that Prof Chinua Achebe tops the list followed closely by Chimamanda Adichie. Check Out "Half Of A Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda. These people know what culture is all about. Their books are so real and vivid & the characters seem as if they are interacting direcly with you.

I've read that book by BABA, It's good but it's nothing compared with the works of these great people.

Needless to say, answers will be largely subjective depending on what you look for in a writer.

Me, I don't like my writers being so obvious, laying everything out on the table. A writer that will make me think for days long
after I read the last page does it for me.

Now the obvious choice is between Soyinka and Achebe, all due respect to Adichie.

Achebe is outstanding, the authoritative voice of the African soul. With such ease and simplicity he will charm even the most obstinate
and cynical amongst us.

Soyinka is difficult and sometimes seemingly deliberately inaccessible. Verbose in parts, sneakily crafty in others, he is almost an elitist writer
where Achebe is 'populist'(in the positive sense of the word).

But I prefer Soyinka. His craftiness appeals to me more than the wise old voice of Achebe. Plus he has range and he is a lot more subtle, a literary tease in
every sense.

And most of all everytime I read his books again, it seems I am reading a totally different book from the last time, cause new vignettes of literary
brilliance seem to pop out from nowhere.

So for me- - - - -the title goes to Soyinka.

Definitely Wole Soyinka!

Nobody does it better than Achebe for me, he's paints a picture that u can vividly capture in his works that u almost think u re watching a movie. His wisdom is unparalled ( no hard feelings for Soyinka) cos as far as i'm concerned, he's no writer but a poet, playright cum social activists.

If i got the question rite, Who's Nigeria's greatest writer not poet ?

Give it up for Prof Chinualumogu Achebe!

Achebe tops my list

soyinka, achebe, adichie, etc, no doubt are icons in the literary world but the greatest nigerian writer ever is yet to be revealed. (emphasis on ''greatest'')

IMCCN:

soyinka, achebe, adichie, etc, no doubt are icons in the literary world but the greatest nigerian writer ever is yet to be revealed. (emphasis on ''greatest'')

I think the emphasis is "Ever". We can pick the greatest Nigerian writer thus far, but nobody can speak for all posterity.

yes, when it comes to the literary world, Nigeria in question SOYINKA and ACHEBE dominates the scene.

Soyinka has the world coveted honour of nobel price while Achebe has non.
Soyinka remains political and a social crusader while Achebe remains his humble self.

in terms of wide readership in Nigeria and Africa and even world over, Achebe takes the podium.

and the verdict, ACHEBE is the better option.

The legendary Achebe

I can't give that 'title' to one writer. There are good writers in Nigeria, giving the 'title' to one will mean undervaluing others.

I haven't read a lot of Nigerian literature. I'll go for Adichie.

people pls give it up for achebe.

'KONGI' himself-our WS