Mokwugo Okoye
Writer, historian, patriot, and public intellectual
About
A Fitful Dream is the posthumously published memoir of Mokwugo Okoye, a Nigerian writer, activist, and public intellectual whose life was bound up with the struggle for independence and the early formation of modern Nigeria.
Spanning childhood in rural Nigeria, wartime upheaval, public service, political engagement, imprisonment, and later intellectual life, the memoir traces a life shaped by conviction and consequence. A prominent voice in Nigeria's independence movement and an influential participant in the nation’s early political life, Mokwugo Okoye witnessed and helped shape some of the defining events of modern Nigerian history. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1985.Moving between personal memory and historical change, the book offers both an intimate account of lived experience and a broader reflection on a turbulent period in the nation’s history.
The Book
A Fitful Dream offers a rare firsthand perspective on some of the defining events, ideas, and debates that shaped twentieth-century Nigeria. Written with candour, intellectual curiosity, and a deep sense of public responsibility, the memoir brings together personal experience and historical reflection in a single narrative.More than a record of one life, the book provides insight into the aspirations, struggles, and contradictions of a generation that witnessed colonial rule, independence, and the challenges of nation-building. It will be of interest to readers of history, politics, biography, African studies, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of modern Nigeria.
Subscribe for UpdatesReceive occasional updates about A Fitful Dream, including publication news, excerpts, and related articles.Several of Mokwugo Okoye's earlier books are currently out of print and will be republished over time.Join our mailing list to be the first to hear when new editions become available.
Praise
"A Fitful Dream is more than an autobiographical account; it is a credible source for some major political turning points in the history of the country."Professor Toyin Falola
University Distinguished Teaching Professor of History
Jacob and Francis Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities
Contact Us
A Fitful Dream will be published on Amazon in late 2026.
For media, academic, publishing, or general enquiries relating to A Fitful Dream, please use the form below. All correspondence is reviewed in due course.