Ben Okri

Ben Okri is a Nigerian-born poet and novelist best known for The Famished Road, which won the 1991 Booker Prize. His work also encompasses short fiction, essays, plays and film scripts.

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About Ben Okri

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Nigeria · Poet, Novelist, Short-story writer

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Also known as: Ben Golden Emuobowho Okri
Known for: Literature; African writing
Country: Nigeria

Poet
Novelist
Short-story writer
Essayist
Playwright
Film-script writer

At a glance

Okri won the 1991 Booker Prize for his novel The Famished Road.
The Booker Prizes describes him as the first Black writer to win the award.
His published work spans poetry, novels, short stories, essays, plays and film scripts.
He was named a Knight Bachelor for services to literature in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours.

Background and education

Okri was born in Minna, Nigeria, in 1959. He returned to London in 1978 and studied comparative literature at the University of Essex, although the supplied evidence does not establish that he completed a degree. He also served as poetry editor of West Africa magazine.

Literary career and the Booker Prize

Okri published his debut novel, Flowers and Shadows, in 1980 and the short-story collection Incidents at the Shrine in 1986. His international prominence grew with The Famished Road, which won the Booker Prize in 1991; the Booker Prizes identifies him as the first Black writer to receive the award. His wider body of work includes poetry, essays, plays and film scripts.

Recognition and literary service

Okri's official biography states that he was appointed vice-president of the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2012 after an earlier association with its advisory committee. In 2023, he was named a Knight Bachelor for services to literature.

Timeline

1959 Born in Minna, Nigeria.
1978 Returned to London and studied comparative literature at the University of Essex.
1980 Published the debut novel Flowers and Shadows.
1986 Published the short-story collection Incidents at the Shrine.
1991 Won the Booker Prize for The Famished Road.
2012 Appointed vice-president of the Caine Prize for African Writing, according to his official biography.
2023-06-16 Named a Knight Bachelor for services to literature in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours.

Additional verified details

Current context

The Booker Prize Foundation's 'Our people' page lists Ben Okri among its trustees. This webpage-based organizational listing should be rechecked if the role is material to publication.
English PEN's 2024–25 Impact Report lists Sir Ben Okri among its honorary vice presidents. The report supports the role during the 2024–25 reporting period; continuing status after that period is not independently established in the supplied research.
The Booker Prizes author biography states that Okri lives in London. Residence is changeable and is presented as a source-attributed, time-sensitive detail.

Biographical facts

Ben Okri was born in Minna, Nigeria, in 1959.
After returning to London in 1978, Okri studied comparative literature at the University of Essex.
Okri served as poetry editor of West Africa magazine.
The Booker Prizes describes Okri as the first Black writer to win the Booker Prize, following his 1991 win for The Famished Road.
Okri's official biography states that he was appointed vice-president of the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2012 after an earlier association with its advisory committee.