Books have always been the quiet start to many loud, unforgettable films. This World Book and Copyright Day, we’re turning attention to the original works that gave life to stories we now watch on screen. It’s a chance to appreciate the original works which built those worlds first and to remind ourselves that what ends up in a film is often just one version of the story. If you love the movie, the book probably goes deeper. So whether you’re already a reader or just film-curious, now’s the time to trace the story back to its source.
Did you know that Nigeria’s first upcoming full-length animated feature film, The Passport of Mallam Ilia, is on the way? Better still, it’s adapted from the book by Cyprian Ekwensi!And Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone, a fantasy novel rooted in West African mythology, is heading to Hollywood with a major film adaptation in development.
This shows what we already know: books are where the stories begin. World Book and Copyright Day is a reminder that behind some of the films we love lies a book—a source of depth, complexity, and original vision. For book lovers, it’s a day to celebrate storytelling in its most foundational form. For film fans, it’s a good time to revisit the stories behind the screen—and maybe even read them.
From classic novels to modern tales, we’re celebrating the original works. Because when a book becomes a film, what you see on screen is just one interpretation. The book? That’s the source.
Death and the King’s Horseman – Wole Soyinka
Soyinka’s 1975 play explores the collision between Yoruba tradition and British colonial authority, centred on a ritual suicide disrupted by the state. Biyi Bandele’s 2022 film adaptation, called Eleshin Oba, captures the tension, but like any interpretation, it trims and reshapes the original. Available on Netflix.
Swallow – Sefi Atta
Set in Lagos, this 2008 novel follows Tolani, a secretary drawn into a risky world of drug trafficking. The 2021 film by Kunle Afolayan takes liberties with the plot and tone, but retains the core struggle. Available on Netflix.
Beasts of No Nation – Uzodinma Iweala
This 2005 novel gives a haunting account of a child soldier. Cary Fukunaga’s 2015 film adaptation brings the brutality to the screen. It is powerful but less internal, focusing more on the action and external events than Agu’s inner world. Still awfully painful and sad. Available on Netflix.
Dazzling Mirage – Olayinka Egbokhare
Published in 2007, this novel gives voice to a woman living with sickle cell disorder and how it affects her personal and romantic life. The 2014 film adaptation by Tunde Kelani is both informative and emotive, raising awareness through its storytelling. Available on YouTube.
Half of a Yellow Sun – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This sweeping 2006 novel covers the Nigerian-Biafran War through intertwined personal stories. Adichie’s novel paints a vivid picture of the Biafran War and its human cost. Rich in historical and emotional detail, it’s a tough act to adapt. Biyi Bandele’s 2013 film manages to capture key moments, but some characters and arcs are trimmed for time. He simplifies the plot but retains emotional weight. Available on various streaming platforms.
Maami – Femi Osofisan
This story, adapted by Tunde Kelani in 2011, is about a boy raised by a strong single mother. Osofisan’s original captures more nuance, while the film leans into sentiment. The book is a tender yet sharp narrative about a boy raised by his devoted mother under difficult conditions. Tunde Kelani’s 2011 adaptation leans into the emotional core but doesn’t fully explore the layered characterisation in the book. Available on YouTube.
The Perfect Church – Ebi Akpeti
Akpeti’s novella reveals the cracks beneath a seemingly flawless church, exploring themes of morality and hidden sin. The Wale Adenuga’s TV adaptation simplifies the drama but keeps the central critique. Episodes available online via WAPTV and YouTube.
The Virgin – Bayo Adebowale
Set in a traditional village, this 1985 novel portrays the conflict between cultural expectations and personal freedom. It focuses on tradition, chastity, and personal choice in a rural Nigerian village. The film, The Narrow Path by Tunde Kelani follows the original closely, keeping the core themes intact while condensing some parts. Available in episodes on YouTube.
Saworoide – Akinwunmi Isola
A political allegory/satire dressed as folklore, Isola’s work was adapted by Tunde Kelani into a now-iconic 1999 film. The film leans heavily on visual metaphor, staying true to the book’s spirit. Available on YouTube.
Owo Eje – Kola Akinlade
A short but potent story about greed, corruption and betrayal. Yemi Amodu’s adaptation gives the moral lessons a vivid visual platform. While the book is more concise, the film adds drama and elaboration. It’s available on YouTube, though the book is harder to find.
Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Achebe’s legendary novel explores the tragic fall of one man (Okonkwo) and the Igbo way of life under colonial disruption. The TV adaptation simplifies things but keeps the key beats. The 1987 TV series remains a faithful retelling. It’s available on YouTube.
Kongi’s Harvest – Wole Soyinka
Soyinka’s 1965 play satirises post-independence African politics through the story of Kongi, a dictator seeking to legitimise his rule by enforcing traditional rituals. The 1970 film adaptation, directed by Ossie Davis, features Soyinka himself as Kongi. However, Soyinka distanced himself from the film, criticising significant deviations from his original script.
The Concubine – Elechi Amadi
Amadi’s 1966 novel tells the tragic tale of Ihuoma, a woman whose lovers meet untimely deaths, believed to be due to her spiritual ties to a sea deity. The 2007 film adaptation by Andy Amenechi brings this story to the screen, though it may not capture all the novel’s depth. Available on YouTube.
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