Lola Shoneyin is a fearless Nigerian writer whose work explores womanhood, silence, and truth in deeply personal and cultural ways. Her novel “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” brought humor and hard truths together to confront patriarchy and trauma. Through literature and festivals, she creates space for African voices to be heard, remembered, and empowered.
A Childhood Between Silence and Stories
Born in Ibadan in 1974, Lola Shoneyin grew up in a family where tradition, politics, and art constantly intersected. Her grandfather was an Oba, a king, in Abeokuta, and her father a successful businessman. But Lola’s world was not just defined by royalty or affluence. It was also filled with questions that children weren’t supposed to ask; questions about power, silence, secrets, and women.From a young age, Lola was curious. She questioned rules and roles, especially those set for women. That curiosity grew into the kind of boldness that would later shape her writing. She went on to study at Ogun State University, then abroad in the UK, where she began to shape her voice as a poet and storyteller. Her life as a writer was not a straight path, but it was always purposeful.Her experiences growing up in Nigeria, studying abroad, navigating gender roles, and observing the complexities of family became the soil in which her stories were rooted. And it was from this soil that her most recognized work ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ bloomed.
The Secret Lives We Live
Published in 2010, ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ is a novel filled with laughter, pain, betrayal, and truth. At first glance, it is the story of a polygamous household in Ibadan and the power struggles within it. But beneath the humor and daily chaos lies a sharp critique of patriarchy, trauma, and societal expectations placed on women.The book centers on Bolanle, Baba Segi’s fourth wife, who disrupts the balance of a home where secrets have been buried deep for years. Bolanle is educated and quiet, but her presence forces truths into the open that no one, not even the loud Baba Segi, is ready to confront.Each wife in the story has her own pain, her own past, and her own form of survival. Lola doesn’t write them as caricatures but as full women shaped by choices and circumstances. Through their voices, she explores infertility, abuse, sexual trauma, and the culture of silence that often surrounds women in African societies.Lola’s storytelling is direct yet poetic. She uses wit to soften harsh truths, but never hides from them. She allows her characters to be flawed, human, and relatable. The result is a novel that is as entertaining as it is deeply thoughtful and a rare balance that earned its praise across the literary world.
More Than a Novelist
While ‘Baba Segi’ made Lola Shoneyin a household name in African literature, she is far more than just a novelist. She is a poet, educator, publisher, and literary curator. Her poetry collections, such as ‘So All the Time I Was Sitting on an Egg’, showcase her ability to use language as both song and sword; gentle yet piercing.Lola is also the founder of the Aké Arts and Book Festival, one of Africa’s most celebrated literary gatherings. Through it, she has created a space where African voices, especially younger ones can be heard, celebrated, and connected. Her work behind the scenes is as vital as her writing. She nurtures new talent, promotes reading culture, and pushes for African stories to be told authentically, by Africans themselves.Her voice is often fearless. She speaks openly on taboo subjects like sexuality, mental health, domestic violence, religious hypocrisy, not for shock, but for healing. In interviews, talks, and tweets, she maintains her stance that literature must challenge and reflect society. That silence is not neutrality, but complicity.
The Woman Behind the Words
Despite her global success, Lola Shoneyin remains grounded in her Nigerian roots. She still lives in Nigeria and chooses to create from within the context she writes about. This decision is part of her larger commitment to community, not just as a theme in her books, but as a lived value.She is also a school administrator, passionate about education, especially for girls. She believes that books can reshape minds, and that reading is not a luxury but a necessity. Her work continues to bridge generations, offering stories that both elders and youth can learn from.Lola’s work refuses to flatter. It doesn’t romanticize tradition or demonize it. Instead, it opens the door for honest conversation. She writes not just about women, but for them creating space for voice, truth, and choice.In her own words, Lola Shoneyin says, “Literature gives us the freedom to walk into someone else’s skin.” Her writing does exactly that. It holds up a mirror to the lives we live, the secrets we keep, and the futures we dare to imagine.
Author’s Note
Writing about Lola Shoneyin is like stepping into a room full of laughter and tension, questions and courage. She does not speak with the loudest voice, but hers always carries weight. Her stories linger because they echo truths that are unpolished, human, and necessary. She reminds us that storytelling is not just art, but activism, memory, and healing.
Key Points
- Lola Shoneyin’s Background and Inspiration: Born in Ibadan in 1974, Lola’s childhood amid tradition, politics, and art, along with her questions about gender and power, deeply influence her storytelling and activism.
- Themes of Her Notable Novel: ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ critically explores patriarchy, trauma, and societal expectations through the intertwined lives of women in a polygamous household, blending humor with deep truths.
- Beyond Novels: A Multifaceted Literary Figure: Lola Shoneyin is also a poet, educator, publisher, and festival founder, using her platform to promote African literature, nurture talent, and challenge societal taboos.
- Her Commitment to Community and Education: Remaining grounded in Nigeria, Lola actively advocates for education, especially for girls, believing books and reading can reshape minds and foster community dialogue.
- Literary Philosophy and Activism: Lola’s work emphasizes storytelling as a form of activism, memory, and healing, creating space for authentic African voices and honest conversations about tradition, silence, and societal change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspired Lola Shoneyin to become a writer and activist?
Lola Shoneyin’s childhood growing up in a family where tradition, politics, and art intersected, along with her questions about gender roles and societal norms, deeply influenced her decision to become a writer and activist. Her curiosity and desire to challenge traditional roles fueled her storytelling and her efforts to promote cultural dialogue.
What are the main themes explored in Lola Shoneyin’s novel ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’?
‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’ explores themes such as patriarchy, trauma, societal expectations, infertility, abuse, and sexual trauma within a polygamous household. The novel uses humor and sharp critique to highlight the hidden struggles and truths of women in African societies.
Besides writing novels, what other roles does Lola Shoneyin play in the literary world?
Lola Shoneyin is also a poet, educator, publisher, and founder of the Aké Arts and Book Festival. She promotes African literature, nurtures new talent, advocates for reading culture, and speaks openly on social taboos to foster healing and authentic storytelling.
How does Lola Shoneyin stay connected to her Nigerian roots while pursuing her international literary career?
Lola Shoneyin remains grounded in Nigeria, living and creating from within her community. She actively advocates for education and community development, especially for girls, using her platform to promote stories that reflect her cultural context and encourage honest conversations about tradition and change.
What does Lola Shoneyin believe is the role of literature in society?
Lola Shoneyin believes literature is a vital form of activism, memory, and healing. She emphasizes that storytelling should challenge societal norms, give voice to the unheard, and foster authentic dialogue about difficult subjects like silence, tradition, and social change.
