Authors like Chimamanda Adichie and Buchi Emecheta have used their writing talents exhibited in brilliant novels to make me fall in love with books written by Nigerians. Seeing a book written by a Nigerian as a promise of a fulfilling literary journey, had been what captivated my mind to read Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s debut novel - I do not come to you by chance. 

When I first read the prologue, I had thought the entire story would be written based on Ozoemena’s point of view. With a twist that was slightly unexpected, Kingsley had told the story of how poverty had taken away everything from his parents except their pride and honesty. His long-term girlfriend, Ola had also been taken away from him because he was deemed unable to provide her financial security. 

Adaobi Nwaubani used Kingsley, her main character, to plunge the reader into the world of a person who has been forced by circumstances to do something that goes against his family values and personal morals. I found some parts of the novel amusing. I mean why was Cash Daddy always having meetings with his minions, while comfortably seated on the toilet seat and dropping solids into the water closet. 

Sadly, a good number of youths are into the practice of yahoo today. If you’re not in the ‘business’, you’ll rarely have an idea of what it entails. I was awed about how the writer brilliantly portrayed the ‘formats used by yahoo boys to swindle their mugus. A brilliant graduate finding it hard to get a job is not a new thing in Nigeria. A country with limited employment opportunities. 

I do not come to you by chance is satirical and sad, every dialogue was well written by Adaobi Nwaubani and the novel surely deserves a Nollywood movie adaptation because of its beautiful and fast-paced plot. If you ever wanted to know how life can be for the lower-class people in Nigeria, this novel is an eye-opener. My second read this year and already on the list of my favourite books for 2024.