Contents
Helon Habila
The novelist whose Oil on Water explores lives damaged by conflict and pollution in the Niger Delta.
Waiting for an Angel · Oil on Water
- Born
- November 1967
- Birthplace
- Nigeria
More people
Helon Habila
Helon Habila writes fiction and nonfiction about political violence, displacement and survival. Journalism helped shape his attention to the voices behind public events.
Early life
Kaltungo
Born in northeastern Nigeria.
Education
Studied English at the University of Jos.
Career
- 1990s
Teaching and journalism
Worked as a lecturer before joining Lagos publications.
- 2001
Caine Prize
Won for the story Love Poems.
- 2002
International fellowship
Moved to Britain as a writing fellow.
- 2000s
Teaching and writing
Joined George Mason University while continuing his literary career.
Selected work
Waiting for an Angel
Linked stories set under military rule.
Oil on Water
Journalists travel through the troubled Niger Delta.
The Chibok Girls
A nonfiction account of the schoolgirls’ abduction and its aftermath.
Beyond work
Teaching
Taught creative writing at George Mason University.
Literary community
Edited anthologies and supported African writing programmes.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗George Mason University — author biography ↗Photo: Boberger. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
