SCENE: Lagos, Present Day.
The literary world is shaking. Two of Nigeria’s greatest writers, Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, are in a full-blown intellectual war, and the entire country is watching. It started as a simple disagreement over storytelling styles but quickly escalated into a full cultural showdown.
Professors are picking sides. Book clubs are divided. Even random people on the streets of Lagos have an opinion. Nobody is safe.
And here’s how it all went down.

1. The Interview That Started It All
Achebe is on Arise TV for an exclusive interview. The host asks him about modern African literature. He leans forward, adjusts his glasses, and says:
“African writers must decolonize literature. We have to tell our stories the way they are meant to be told, not in ways that please Western critics.”
Soyinka, watching this from his study, chuckles. That same evening, he’s at a TED Talk, dropping a counterattack:
“You cannot put art in a cage. Literature must be free. Achebe is a genius, but his ideas are too rigid.”
📍 And just like that, the culture war begins.

2. Nigerian Intellectuals Pick Sides
Prof. Adegbite from UNILAG releases an essay: “Achebe is Right: African Literature Must Remain Authentic.”
Prof. Okonkwo from UI responds with a podcast episode: “Soyinka is Correct: Creativity Has No Boundaries.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians on the street have their own analysis:
- “Na dem sabi. Person never chop finish, dem dey argue literature.”
- “But lowkey, Achebe’s books dey hit differently.”
- “Soyinka’s use of mythology? Pure fire.”
Ghanaian intellectuals are sipping sobolo and observing quietly.
3. The Subtle Jabs Turn Petty
Achebe, in his next public appearance, throws a not-so-subtle shade:
“Some people think filling books with endless poetic proverbs makes them superior, but a true storyteller knows simplicity speaks louder.”
Soyinka, at an award ceremony, smiles and responds:
“There is elegance in complexity. Writing should not be reduced to mere storytelling—it is an art.”
The crowd erupts. Someone in the audience squirts profusely from the tension.
4. The Literary World Loses Its Mind
- Nigerian Literature Digest publishes: “Who Wins? Achebe vs. Soyinka”
- Book clubs across Lagos hold debates with free small chops to attract attendees.
- A Nollywood director announces a new movie inspired by their rivalry: “Prose & Fury” starring Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) as Soyinka and Kanayo O. Kanayo as Achebe.

5. International Writers Try to Join the Conversation (Big Mistake)
A famous Western author tweets: “I love the passion in African literature! Such depth, such tradition!”
Nigerians respond:
- “Oga rest, nobody called you.”
- “This is a family matter. Face your own literature.”
- “You that wrote a whole book about a man falling in love with a fish?”
6. The Unexpected Plot Twist
Just when it looks like the literary world will never know peace, Achebe and Soyinka drop a bombshell:
Achebe announces a new book:
“Anyways, new novel coming soon. A collaboration with my good friend Wole. Decolonization meets Mythology. Get ready.”
Soyinka reposts:
“We really just made y’all fight over literature for no reason. LMAO.”
📍 Nigerians are speechless.
Final Thoughts: What Did We Learn?
- Nigerian writers will always carry violence in their pen.
- Public debates are premium entertainment.
- If Achebe and Soyinka had a real-life intellectual showdown, Nigeria would never recover.
So next time you see an unnecessary argument online, just remember: The greatest minds in history would’ve done the same thing. 😂
(Tag that one friend who would’ve been deep in this literary war.)
Hey Luv, Wait. Feel More Crackko Vibe:
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