Nigerian literature is taking centre stage on the global bookshelf once again as acclaimed writers Oyinkan Braithwaite and Bolu Babalola secure coveted spots on TIME Magazine’s “100 Must-Read Books of 2025.”
Their recognition signals yet another milestone in the rising influence of African storytelling on the world stage.
Oyinkan Braithwaite — Cursed Daughters: A Spellbinding Family Legacy
Braithwaite’s newest work, Cursed Daughters, plunges readers into the eerie yet captivating world of the Falodun women of Lagos. The novel opens with a chilling twist: Ebun delivers her daughter Eniiyi on the same day her cousin Monife dies — an omen that reawakens a long-dreaded family curse declaring that no man who enters their home will know peace.
TIME applauds Braithwaite for her masterful blend of suspense, emotional nuance, and complex generational storytelling. With each chapter, she deepens her reputation for crafting narratives that are as unsettling as they are beautifully human.
Bolu Babalola — Sweet Heat: Romance, Reunions, and Second Chances
In Sweet Heat, Bolu Babalola brings back fan-favorite heroine Kiki Banjo — now a confident 28-year-old podcast host guiding others through their love lives on her show, “The Heartbeat.” But things spiral when her ex, Malakai, resurfaces as the best man at her best friend’s wedding, forcing her to confront unresolved passion and old wounds.
TIME praises Babalola’s signature warmth, wit, and emotional precision, noting how she explores the cost of love, the weight of memory, and the thrill of rediscovery.
A Bigger Moment for Nigerian Literature
Beyond individual achievements, the dual recognition of Braithwaite and Babalola underscores the global momentum of Nigerian storytelling. From supernatural sagas to contemporary romance, these authors are proving that Nigerian narratives are diverse, daring, and deeply resonant.
Their inclusion in TIME’s top reading list isn’t just a win for the authors — it’s a spotlight on an entire literary movement that continues to shape how the world reads, relates, and imagines.
