Portal:Nigeria/Selected biography/27

[Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (/ˌtʃɪməˈmɑːndə əŋˈɡoʊzi əˈdiːtʃi.eɪ/ ; born 15 September 1977) is a Nigerian author who is regarded as a central figure in postcolonial feminist literature. She is the author of the award-winning novels Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013). Her other works include the book essays We Should All Be Feminists (2014); Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions (2017); a memoir tribute to her father, Notes on Grief (2021); and a children's book, Mama's Sleeping Scarf (2023).

Born in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria, Adichie's childhood was influenced by the aftermath of colonial rule and by the Nigerian Civil War, which killed both of her grandfathers, and was the setting for her first novel and the subject of her second. She was educated at the University of Nigeria and moved to the United States at the age of nineteen to undertake higher education at Drexel University. She studied at three universities; Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, and Yale University. She published the poetry collection Decisions in 1997, followed by a play, For Love of Biafra, in 1998. Adichie has cited African writers Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta as inspirations.

Adichie grew up bilingually and writes in English and Igbo, describing this approach as a means to reach a broad audience, and to retain both languages as her own. Her style juxtaposes Western and African influences, particularly focusing on her own Igbo culture. Most of her works explore the themes of religion, immigration, gender, and feminism. Her speeches have also received attention. Adichie advocates using fashion as a medium to break down stereotypes and was recognised for her "Wear Nigerian Campaign" with a Shorty Award in 2018.