On Sunday evening, May 31, members of the Naija Book Club gathered from different corners of the world for what turned out to be one of our most engaging and rewarding discussions yet.
Our featured book was Without Prejudice by Tidjane Thiam, a compelling memoir that traces the remarkable journey of one of Africa’s most accomplished business leaders. The book sparked a lively and thoughtful conversation, touching on leadership, identity, resilience, ambition, race, public service, and the realities of navigating global institutions as an African professional.
What made the session particularly special was the diversity of voices in the room. Participants joined us from Europe, North Africa, and the African continent. As always, the richness of the discussion came not only from the book itself but from the different perspectives, experiences, and interpretations that members brought to the conversation.
The discussion was spirited, insightful, and, at times, deeply personal. Members reflected on lessons from Thiam’s career, debated some of his decisions, and explored what his story means for leadership and nation-building in Africa today. It was a reminder of why book clubs remain such powerful spaces for learning and exchange.
Celebrating Our Members
No Naija Book Club gathering is complete without a little fun.
We were delighted to reward some of our participants during the session. One lucky member won a book, while several others received prizes in recognition of their participation and engagement.
Our community continues to grow because of the enthusiasm, curiosity, and generosity of its members. We are grateful to everyone who joins our conversations and helps make them meaningful.
Spotlight on an Author
One of the highlights of the evening was a special author presentation.
We were honoured to welcome Chioma Nwaiwu, who joined us to speak about her book, The Builders: How Ordinary People Become Leaders Who Change the World.
Chioma spent some minutes sharing the inspiration behind the book, discussing its central themes, and encouraging readers to recognise the leadership potential that often exists in ordinary people. Her presentation was both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering members a valuable opportunity to engage directly with a contemporary author.
At Naija Book Club, we believe that authors play a vital role in keeping the culture of reading alive. We are committed to celebrating writers and creating opportunities for our members to discover and connect with their work.
For members interested in purchasing The Builders, Chioma has generously provided an exclusive discount:
Book: The Builders: How Ordinary People Become Leaders Who Change the World
Discount: 60% Off
Coupon Code: BUILD
Valid Until: June 6
You can get the book here:
The Builders – Special Discount Link
Next Up: The Fishermen
Before the session ended, we announced our next book selection.
For our upcoming review, we will be reading The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma.
Widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary Nigerian novels, The Fishermen is a powerful story of family, prophecy, brotherhood, and the consequences of belief. It has received international acclaim and established Obioma as one of Nigeria’s leading literary voices.
We are looking forward to another exciting discussion and hope both returning and new members will join us on the journey.
Thank You
To everyone who participated in Sunday’s session, thank you for making it memorable.
Whether you joined from Lagos, London, Cairo, Nairobi, Accra, or elsewhere, your contributions helped create a conversation that crossed borders while remaining rooted in our shared love of books.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting as we dive into The Fishermen.
Until then, happy reading! 📚
