I live half the year in Nigeria, the other half in the U.S. But home is Nigeria - it always will be. I consider myself a Nigerian who is comfortable in the world. I look at it through Nigerian eyes.

How [stories] are told, who tells them, when they’re told, how many stories are told — are really dependent on power.

I often make the mistake of thinking that something that is obvious to me is obvious to everyone else.

I am interested in challenging the mainstream ideas of what is beautiful and what is acceptable.

I have many problems in my life, but I don't think that identity is one of them.

Americans think African writers will write about the exotic, about wildlife, poverty, maybe AIDS. They come to Africa and African books with certain expectations.

If you don't understand, ask questions. If you're uncomfortable about asking questions, say you are uncomfortable about asking questions and then ask anyway. It's easy to tell when a question is coming from a good place. Then listen some more. Sometimes people just want to feel heard. Here's to possibilities of friendship and connection and understanding.