Shola is a 17-year-old Nigerian intellectual prodigy with profound admiration for his country and the African continent.

Inspired by his biggest hero, Nelson Mandela, Shola arrives in Johannesburg to start his university education, and is immediately “drafted” into a friendship with Ebuka, a fast-talking, quick-thinking Nigerian maverick who would rather be back in Aba tending his car spare parts business.

Shola also finds love of the romantic kind in Malaika, a South African teen who has to battle her parents initial objections to follow her heart. Brought together by fate and a touch of “japa,” these three friends form an apparently odd but endearing partnership.

But life isn’t always fair, and tragedy looms for our idealistic trio.

Nnyema Beson Ekon has a crafted a gem of a story in Being Nigerian – The Spirit of Naija. This narrative, done in a smooth, fast-paced but touching style that is liberally laced with humor, belies Nnyema’s status as a first-time author. Pick up this novel, and you won’t be putting it down in a hurry.

-Laju Iren, The Lord’s Storyteller.