OKRi

Okri is a surname of Nigerian origin that is most widely associated with Ben Okri, a Nigerian-born writer and poet whose work has had a significant impact on contemporary African literature and magical realism. Born in 1959 in Nigeria, Okri spent part of his childhood in London and later studied at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. He gained international attention with The Famished Road (1991), a novel that blends realism with myth and spirits, and it won the Booker Prize in 1991. The book follows Azaro, a spirit-child, through a Nigeria that is both brutal and beautiful, using allegory to explore poverty, corruption, and hope.

Okri’s writing is widely regarded for its lyrical prose, imaginative range, and fusion of Yoruba folklore with modern concerns. He has published novels, poetry, and essays, and his work has been translated into many languages. Beyond his literary work, Okri has engaged in literary advocacy, teaching, and public dialogue on Africa’s cultural and political landscapes. The surname Okri, though rare outside Nigeria, is primarily recognized through Ben Okri’s international literary profile.