A Book Review: How Nigeria Happened to Tanko
Tanko, a metaphor for the collective experience of Nigerians in their country, is a pen portrait of pain—and gain.
By Iboro Otongaran
The first impression How Nigeria Happened to Tanko had on me was its length—456 pages for a debut work. The second was its title, which echoes a contemporary Nigerian expression of both criticism and compliment about our experiences with the country. These features intrigued me, and I was handsomely rewarded with a riveting story delivered in easy, workaday prose.
The novel is a slice of Nigerian life, pulsating with relatable human experiences—cruelty and kindness, injustice and equity, love, ambition, bigotry, self-doubt and the will to go on. Against this backdrop, Oche Obe explores the search for self-fulfilment and the drive to succeed amid cultural and religious differences, geographical diversity and historical fault lines.
Tanko’s journey is a metaphor for the daily struggles of many Nigerians. From his difficult childhood in a polygamous home, through his university years and into the public service, he encounters both the failures of the system and the consequences of his own choices. He faces ethnic prejudice, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and personal setbacks, yet repeatedly finds help and kindness from individuals when he least expects it.
The narrative effectively captures the idea of Nigeria “happening” to its citizens, while also showing that individuals themselves contribute to the country’s problems and possibilities. Tanko is an idealistic, ambitious and hardworking young man who challenges prevailing norms but is also vulnerable to temptation and poor choices. His experiences make him a well-realised and relatable character.
How Nigeria Happened to Tanko is a commendable creative work, strong in imagination and deft in execution. It is an engaging portrait of a young Nigerian’s struggles, ambitions and search for a place in the sun. The narrative is thoughtful, entertaining and provocative, leaving the reader to consider how much of Tanko’s story is caused by Nigeria—and how much by Tanko himself.
Iboro Otongaran
Communication Artist, Abuja
Newspaper Review
Inside Oche Obe’s Story of Identity in How Nigeria Happened to Tanko
A detailed newspaper review describes How Nigeria Happened to Tanko as a story of identity, ambition and resilience, examining how the Nigerian environment shapes Tanko’s life and how his own choices, in turn, shape his journey.
The review highlights the novel’s exploration of identity, cultural differences, corruption, relationships and the everyday experiences of Nigerians.
Read the full newspaper review →
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Alero Shirly Okiki
Book Reviewer | CEO, Bookfever / Bookola Group
How Nigeria Happened to Tanko takes the reader on a journey through the life of Tanko, a young man caught between two cultures, growing up with a Hausa father and an Igbo mother.
From Kano to Jos, Calabar, Enugu and other parts of Nigeria, Tanko encounters questions of identity, prejudice, family, sexuality, ambition and belonging. His experiences show how circumstances beyond his control can shape a person’s choices and future.
The novel also explores the consequences of growing up without adequate parental guidance and the difficult choices Tanko makes as he moves through childhood, university and adulthood.
It is a realistic and distinctly Nigerian story—sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, but always engaging. The journey with Tanko is rewarding, and the book raises important questions about identity, culture, family and the society in which we live.
Alero Shirly Okiki
CEO, Bookfever / Bookola Group
Bookish Ezioma
“It is a core Nigerian book”
My 18th book of the year is How Nigeria Happened to Tanko by @tankoseries.
Nigeria has happened to Tanko in many ways. The first time, he is just nine in his father’s house struggling with identity and belonging.
He is caught between two cultures, with a Hausa father and an Igbo mother. In a Hausa-dominated area like Kano, he is scorned and called names because of his Igbo heritage. His mother’s absence and the treatment he receives at home further shape his difficult childhood.
The book takes the reader on a long journey across Nigeria, including Kano, Jos, Ebonyi, Calabar and Enugu, offering glimpses into the different ways of life across the country.
The novel tackles themes including identity, sexual abuse, childhood trauma, religious integration and the consequences of bad decisions. At the University of Calabar, Tanko makes many choices that have lasting consequences for his life.
I enjoyed reading this book because it is realistic and relatable. It is a core Nigerian book, and going on this journey with Tanko was sometimes funny, sometimes annoying and all the time rewarding.
You should definitely read this book. It has a great plot, great storyline and great characterization.
Bookish Ezioma
Book Reviewer
Nicholas Leam
A Review of Oche Obe’s How Nigeria Happened to Tanko
Nicholas Leam describes How Nigeria Happened to Tanko as a thought-provoking coming-of-age story centred on identity, ethnic prejudice, stereotypes and the consequences of growing up without a mother.
He particularly highlights Tanko’s experience as the son of a Hausa father and an Igbo mother, and the difficulties he encounters because of his mixed heritage. From his early years in Kano to his university life in Calabar, Tanko experiences both prejudice and acceptance.
Leam praises the novel’s simple, straightforward writing and its ability to raise questions about how Nigerians view one another across ethnic and cultural lines.
“I love the story.”
Nicholas Leam
Writer and Book Reviewer
Onjefu Obe
“An interesting novel; exposing the everyday life of a Nigerian.”
Onjefu Obe particularly highlights the novel’s treatment of Tanko’s National Youth Service experience, including the struggle to secure his redeployment from Akure to Enugu.
He recommends the book to readers interested in the realities of Nigerian life and the experiences that shape the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Onjefu Obe
Deputy Director, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja
Amazon Reader Review
“I appreciate stories like these that paint the unseen landscape of Nigerian history; a welcome addition to Nigerian and African literature and well worth a read.”
Verified Amazon Reader Review
What Readers Are Saying
How Nigeria Happened to Tanko has been described as an engaging Nigerian story of identity, ambition, resilience, prejudice, relationships and the everyday experiences that shape a person’s life.
The reviews come from journalists, writers, book reviewers, professionals and ordinary readers who have engaged with Tanko’s journey in different ways.