Early Life and Education:

Okri was born to an Urhobo father and an Igbo mother. When he was less than two years old, his family moved to London so his father could study law. Okri spent his early childhood in London, attending primary school in Peckham. In 1968, at age 9, the family returned to Nigeria, where his father practiced law in Lagos, often providing free or discounted services to those who couldn’t afford it.Okri’s exposure to the Nigerian civil war and the spiritual culture of his peers profoundly influenced his later writing. At 14, after being rejected for a university program in physics due to his youth, Okri experienced a revelation that poetry was his calling.

Early Writing Career:

Okri began writing articles on social and political issues as a teenager, though these were never published. He then turned to short stories, some of which were published in women’s journals and evening papers. His criticism of the government in some of this early work allegedly led to his name being placed on a death list, necessitating his departure from Nigeria.

In 1978, Okri returned to England to study comparative literature at Essex University. When his funding fell through, he experienced a period of homelessness, sometimes living in parks or with friends.

Literary Success:

Okri’s literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, “Flowers and Shadows,” at the age of 21. He served as poetry editor for West Africa magazine from 1983 to 1986 and was a regular contributor to the BBC World Service. His international reputation was cemented when his novel “The Famished Road” won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1991, making him the youngest-ever winner of the prize at that time. This novel, along with “Songs of Enchantment” and “Infinite Riches,” forms a trilogy following the life of Azaro, a spirit-child narrator, through the social and political turmoil of an African nation.

Literary Style and Themes:

Okri is known for his use of magic realism, blending physical and spiritual realities. His work often explores themes of political and social chaos, the nature of reality and dreams, and the power of storytelling. He draws inspiration from African oral traditions, particularly his mother’s storytelling, as well as his experiences of civil war in Nigeria.

Major Works:

• “The Famished Road” (1991)
• “Songs of Enchantment” (1993)
• “Astonishing the Gods” (1995)
• “Dangerous Love” (1996)
• “Infinite Riches” (1998)
• “Mental Flight” (1999)
• “Starbook” (2007)
• “The Age of Magic” (2014)
• “The Freedom Artist” (2019)

Awards and Honors:

• Booker Prize (1991)
• Commonwealth Writers Prize (1987)
• Aga Khan Prize for Fiction (1987)
• Crystal Award (World Economic Forum, 1995)
• OBE (Order of the British Empire, 2001)

Academic and Public Roles:

Okri has held several prestigious positions, including Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge (1991-1993), Honorary Fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford, and Vice-President of the English Centre of International PEN. He has also served on the board of the Royal National Theatre and as Vice-President of the Caine Prize for African Writing.

Legacy:

Ben Okri’s contributions to literature have established him as a leading voice in African and world literature. His work challenges readers to see beyond the visible world and consider the spiritual and magical aspects of reality. Through his writing, Okri continues to explore the complexities of the human experience, particularly in the context of African history and culture, making him a true Black hero in the literary world.