Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, born on September 15, 1977, in Enugu, Nigeria, is a renowned Nigerian writer celebrated for her insightful exploration of identity in her novels, short stories, and nonfiction works. Her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), garnered widespread acclaim for its poignant portrayal of the Nigerian Civil War’s devastation.
As the fifth of six children, Adichie spent her formative years in Nsukka, Nigeria, where she developed a passion for reading from an early age. Inspired by Chinua Achebe’s seminal work, Things Fall Apart, she embarked on a literary journey that would shape her career profoundly. Initially studying medicine in Nsukka, Adichie later pursued her academic endeavors in the United States.
In 1997, she relocated to the United States and pursued studies in communication and political science at Eastern Connecticut State University, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001. Balancing her time between Nigeria and the United States, Adichie furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, she delved into African history through her studies at Yale University.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie embraces the joys of motherhood while navigating her multifaceted career.
Job: Novelist,short story writer,non-fiction writer
Location: Nigeria
Umi100 Honouree 2024