Nigerian Author Lola Shoneyin Inducted as Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature

Award-winning Nigerian author, publisher and cultural entrepreneur Lola Shoneyin has been inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), one of the United Kingdom's highest literary honours.

The induction took place during the society's annual summer gathering in London, where Shoneyin officially joined the ranks of distinguished writers recognised for their outstanding contributions to literature.

Founded in 1820 by King George IV, the Royal Society of Literature honours writers whose work has made a lasting impact on the literary world. As part of the fellowship tradition, newly elected members sign the RSL Roll Book—a historic register dating back to 1825—using a ceremonial pen once owned by celebrated English novelist George Eliot.

Shoneyin is best known for her acclaimed debut novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, which received international recognition after being longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2011. The novel also earned her the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award and the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prose Prize.

Beyond her success as an author, Shoneyin has played a pivotal role in promoting African literature and supporting the continent's creative industries. She is the founder of the Aké Arts and Book Festival, one of Africa's leading literary festivals, as well as the founder of Lagos-based publishing house and bookstore Ouida Books. She also serves as director of the Book Buzz Foundation, an organisation committed to encouraging reading and literary development.

Her election as an RSL Fellow reflects the society's continued effort to recognise outstanding writers from around the world whose work has enriched global literature and created opportunities for new voices to emerge.

The honour further strengthens Shoneyin's reputation as one of Nigeria's most influential literary figures and highlights the growing global recognition of African writers and storytellers.