Nigerian author, poet, publisher, and cultural advocate Lola Shoneyin has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL), one of the United Kingdom’s highest literary honours. The RSL, founded in 1820 by King George IV, recognises writers whose work has made outstanding contributions to literature. During the induction ceremony held at The Fable in London, Shoneyin signed the historic RSL Roll Book using the famous dip pen once owned by renowned English novelist George Eliot, continuing one of the society’s longest-standing traditions.

Shoneyin is widely celebrated for her award-winning debut novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, which was longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, among other honours. Beyond her literary achievements, she has played a defining role in shaping Africa’s literary landscape as the founder of the Book Buzz Foundation, the Aké Arts and Book Festival, and Lagos-based publishing house and bookstore, Ouida Books. Through these platforms, she has supported emerging writers and expanded opportunities for African storytelling on the global stage.

Her election as an RSL Fellow reflects not only the international recognition of her writing but also her lasting impact on African literary culture. As the Royal Society of Literature continues to honour writers from diverse backgrounds, Shoneyin’s inclusion highlights the growing global appreciation of African voices and the individuals who continue to strengthen the continent’s literary ecosystem.

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