Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ is a Nigerian novelist, writer and literary figure whose stories explore family, marriage, motherhood, social expectations and inequality. She is best known for her novels Stay With Me and A Spell of Good Things, both of which have attracted international attention.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ |
| Date of birth | 29 January 1988 |
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Partner | Emmanuel Iduma |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Novelist, writer, playwright, essayist and literary judge |
| Net worth | 100,000 – 500,000 USD |
Early Life and Education
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 29 January 1988. Her family later moved to Ilesa and then Ile-Ife, where she spent much of her childhood in the staff quarters of Obafemi Awolowo University. She developed an interest in writing from a young age and began writing when she was about nine.
She studied Literature in English at Obafemi Awolowo University, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She later obtained a master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, where she received an international bursary.
Career
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ began her professional writing journey through short stories, essays and editorial work. She also worked as an editor for Saraba Magazine, a platform known for promoting African writing and literary voices.
Her major breakthrough came in 2017 with the publication of her debut novel, Stay With Me. The novel follows a married couple struggling with infertility, family pressure and the expectations created by tradition. Its emotional storytelling and strong portrayal of Nigerian society earned it international recognition.
Stay With Me won the 9mobile Prize for Literature and the Prix Les Afriques. It was also shortlisted for major literary honours, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Wellcome Book Prize and the Kwani? Manuscript Project.
In 2023, she published her second novel, A Spell of Good Things. The book examines poverty, privilege, family, political power and social inequality through the lives of two young people from very different backgrounds. It was longlisted for the Booker Prize and further strengthened her reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary novelists.
Personal Life
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ is married to Emmanuel Iduma, a Nigerian writer, artist and curator. Although they are both active in literary and creative circles, they prefer to keep most details about their relationship and family life private.
Net Worth
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀’s estimated net worth is between US$100,000 and US$500,000. This estimate is based on her earnings as a novelist, book royalties, writing commissions, literary events, fellowships and judging appointments.
Bibliography
Novels
- Stay With Me — 2017.
- A Spell of Good Things — 2023.
Playwriting and Other Works
- Provenance — a play produced in 2021 as a multi-screen immersive installation.
- Essays and articles published in The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, The Financial Times, Harper’s Bazaar and other publications.
Stay With Me remains her most recognised work. The novel is widely discussed for its treatment of infertility, family pressure, gender roles and the impact of tradition on marriage.
Awards
- The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts and Culture — won in 2017.
- 9mobile Prize for Literature — won for Stay With Me.
- Prix Les Afriques — won by the French translation of Stay With Me.
- Women’s Prize for Fiction — Stay With Me was shortlisted.
- Wellcome Book Prize — Stay With Me was shortlisted.
- Kwani? Manuscript Project — Stay With Me was shortlisted.
- Booker Prize — A Spell of Good Things was longlisted in 2023.
- Dylan Thomas Prize — A Spell of Good Things was shortlisted.
- Encore Award — A Spell of Good Things was shortlisted.
- 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction — served as a judge.
- 2025 Booker Prize — served as a judge.
