Chigozie Obioma

Chigozie Obioma, born in Akure, Nigeria, is a distinguished writer and educator known for his compelling storytelling and profound insights into the human experience. He has authored three acclaimed novels: The Fishermen, published in two thousand fifteen, An Orchestra of Minorities, released in two thousand nineteen, and his latest work, The Road to the Country, set to debut in two thousand twenty-four.

Both The Fishermen and An Orchestra of Minorities were recognized as finalists for the prestigious Booker Prize and have been translated into thirty languages, showcasing Obioma's global appeal. His literary contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Internationaler Literaturpris, and the FT/Oppenheimer Prize for fiction. Additionally, he has received an NAACP Image Award and has been nominated for over two dozen other literary honors.

In two thousand fifteen, Obioma was named one of Foreign Policy's 100 Leading Global Thinkers and featured on NewAfrican magazine's lists of the 100 Most Influential Africans in both two thousand fifteen and two thousand twenty-four. His expertise in literature was further recognized when he served as a judge for the Booker Prize in two thousand twenty-one.

Obioma's writings have graced the pages of esteemed publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Financial Times, Paris Review, and Granta. His third novel, The Road to the Country, has already garnered significant attention, being longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Prize and the Dublin Prize for fiction, while also being named a best book of the year by The Economist and the Boston Globe.

Currently, Chigozie Obioma holds the position of Helen S. Lanier Professor of Creative Writing and English at the University of Georgia, where he also directs the Oxbelly Fiction Writers Retreat, nurturing the next generation of literary talent.