Navigating roots and routes: the topos of return in contemporary Nigerian and Nigerian diaspora literature

In an era characterised by unprecedented global mobility, the theme of return emerges as a critical lens through which contemporary Nigerian and Nigerian Diaspora literature interrogates questions of identity, belonging, and global power structures. This thesis, therefore, examines how the theme of return, a defining feature of Nigerian literature, has evolved in recent narratives, particularly in the context of globalisation and capitalism. Drawing on a methodological approach that brings postcolonial theory, decolonial thought, and trauma studies into dialogue while also focusing on stylistic and rhetorical choices, patterns of characterisation, and thematic structures, this thesis analyses a diverse selection of both fictional and non-fictional texts. Through close readings, the study uncovers how authors navigate the complexities of return while grappling with the contradictions inherent in writing from a distance. Notably, many of these narratives of return are now produced by Nigerian writers based in the Global North, raising questions about the impact of their positionality on their representations of homecoming. Accordingly, this thesis examines how this geographical dissonance shapes their narratives, influencing both thematic concerns and narrative structures. Ultimately, this research provides a nuanced understanding of how contemporary Nigerian literature engages with the longing for rootedness in a world increasingly shaped by routes while critically resisting the pitfalls of essentialism and nationalism.