The filmic novel, the first of a ten-book series, set in 10 countries, will be available at Waterstones, Blackwell’s Books, and Amazon from May 1st, 2023.
By Hope Ibiale
Abibiman Publishing UK has announced the UK release of The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai, by acclaimed Nigerian writer and filmmaker, Onyeka Nwelue. The filmic novel, the first of a ten-book series set in 10 countries, will be available at Waterstones, Blackwell’s Books, and Amazon from May 1st, 2023.
Told throughout many chapters, The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai tells the story of Uche Mbadiegwu, an unreliable Nigerian actor, who travels from Lagos to Mumbai, looking for fame and fortune. Like a flash, Periwinkle appears in his life and changes everything. Tired of living in a pigsty, Efemena wants to live a life of independence. Still, there is more to being a Nigerian in Mumbai – a constant escape from the Indian police and narcotics agents.
The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai is a tale of violence, drugs, human trafficking, murder, and sex—a story of obsessive pursuit and the quest for personal freedom and wealth. The book is an experience that pushes the boundaries of the literary imagination and whose circular narrative, as its title suggests, is about gangs and drug peddlers. It is provocative and satisfyingly cinematic.
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“We are proud to publish Onyeka Nwelue’s The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai, which is a testament to his talent as a writer and filmmaker,” said a spokesperson from Abibiman Publishing UK. “This book pushes the boundaries of the literary imagination and offers readers a riveting reading experience. We are confident that audiences will receive it well in the UK and beyond.”
Nwelue revealed that the series was inspired by his Academic Advisor at the University of Oxford: “He was really kind to me. We had dinner, and I shared the idea with him, and he thought it would be a blast. So, I kicked it off.” He added: “I have had to be close to criminals, prisoners, scammers, and even investigative journalists, to be able to write my books. In 2020, I travelled to São Paulo for the carnival, partly to research the second instalment set in Brazil. Most of my wild imaginations and investigations have upended my life and career, but I have no regrets. I believe this series will bring a lot of good to me. Imagine that it is coming at a time when we have a President-elect who has been called a drug baron.”
Described by Sri P. T. Narendra Menon as “one of Africa’s youngest writers. His writing is unique, and his brilliance shows throughout his offerings,” Nwelue is one of Africa’s most prolific writers, with over 20 award-winning books. He is a filmmaker, publisher, talk-show host, and bookseller. He is also the founder of the James Currey Society. He was an academic visitor at the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, and a Visiting Scholar at the Centre of African Studies at the University of Cambridge. The Nigerian Mafia: Mumbai has already been awarded the 2021 Crime Fiction Lovers award for Best Indie Novel and the 2021 ANA Prose Prize, and has been a favourite at film festivals, winning Best Feature Film by a director.