Adewale Maja-Pearce (born 1953) is a British-Nigerian author, journalist, and literary critic, renowned for his documentary-style essays. He has authored several books, including the memoirs In My Father’s Country (1987) and The House My Father Built (2014), along with various other non-fiction works and a short story collection titled Loyalties and Other Stories (1986).
Early Life and Education
Born in London to British and Yoruba parents, Maja-Pearce spent his childhood in Lagos, Nigeria, attending St. Gregory’s College, Obalende (1965–69). He later returned to the UK for higher education at the University College of Wales, Swansea (BA, 1972–75), before earning a Master of Arts degree in African Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1984–86).
Literary Career
Maja-Pearce began his career as a researcher at Index on Censorship and later became the journal’s Africa Editor (1986–97). He also served as consultant and Series Editor for the Heinemann African Writers Series (1986–94). After returning to Nigeria, he settled in Surulere, Lagos, in a house inherited from his father, which he discusses in his 2014 memoir, The House My Father Built. He runs an editorial services agency, Yemaja, and a small publishing company, The New Gong.
His early work includes short stories inspired by his Nigerian heritage, with Loyalties and Other Stories being published in 1986. However, he is most recognized for his essays. His 2005 collection Remembering Ken Saro-Wiwa and Other Essays was praised by critic Uzor Uzoatu for offering profound insights into modern Nigeria, South African identity, and global intellectual discourse. Maja-Pearce edited Christopher Okigbo’s Collected Poems (1986) and anthologies such as The Heinemann Book of African Poetry in English (1990) and Who’s Afraid of Wole Soyinka?: Essays on Censorship (1991). He also authored the 1998 and 1999 annual reports on human rights violations in Nigeria.
Maja-Pearce’s memoirs include In My Father’s Country: A Nigerian Journey (1987) and The House My Father Built (2014). The latter was described by Bakwa magazine as a poignant narrative of Nigeria’s struggles during the 1990s, blending personal history with national turmoil. His writing has appeared in international publications like The New York Times, Granta, The London Review of Books, The Times Literary Supplement, The London Magazine, and Prospect. In 2013, he became a contributing opinion writer for The International New York Times.
Personal Life
Maja-Pearce is married to artist and activist Juliet Ezenwa. He has two step-daughters, Mandy and Kathy, from a previous relationship, and a daughter, Paris Ujunwa Ololade Pearce, with his wife.
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