Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born Grace Ngozi Adichie; 1977). A Nigerian author, speaker, and activist widely regarded as a leading voice in postcolonial feminist literature. Her works explore themes of identity, immigration, gender, and culture, often blending African and Western influences. She has received numerous accolades for her contributions to literature and global discourse.

Early Life and Education

Adichie was born in Nigeria, into an Igbo family. She grew up on the campus of the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, where her father was a professor of statistics and her mother was the university’s first female registrar. She studied medicine for a year and a half at the University of Nigeria before moving to the United States at age 19 to pursue higher education.

She earned a degree in Communication and Political Science from Eastern Connecticut State University (summa cum laude), followed by a Master’s in Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins University and another Master’s in African History from Yale University. Adichie also held prestigious fellowships at Princeton University and Harvard University‘s Radcliffe Institute.

Literary Career

Adichie’s literary journey began with poetry and plays before transitioning to novels. Her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus (2003), won critical acclaim, including the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book. Her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), delves into the Biafran War and won the Orange Prize for Fiction. Americanah (2013), her third novel, explores race, identity, and migration through the experiences of a Nigerian woman navigating life in America and Britain.

In addition to novels, Adichie has authored short stories (The Thing Around Your Neck, 2009), essay collections (We Should All Be Feminists, 2014; Dear Ijeawele, 2017), a memoir (Notes on Grief, 2021), and a children’s book (Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, 2023). Her latest novel, Dream Count, was released in 2025.

Activism and Public Influence

Adichie’s TED Talks have significantly shaped global conversations on identity and feminism. Her 2009 talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” (above) is one of the most-viewed TED Talks globally. Her 2012 talk, “We Should All Be Feminists,” inspired Beyoncé‘s song “Flawless” and was featured on Dior T-shirts.

She is also recognized for her “Wear Nigerian Campaign,” which promotes Nigerian fashion as a tool to challenge stereotypes.

Awards and Honors

Adichie has received numerous awards, including:

• MacArthur Fellowship (2008)
• Induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017)
• Honorary doctorate degrees from institutions like Yale University, Duke University, Georgetown University, and School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Personal Life

Adichie married Ivara Esege in 2009 and has three children. She continues to split her time between Nigeria and the United States while advocating for social change through her writing and public engagements.