A Man of the People

A Man of the People is a novel by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. Written as a satirical piece, A Man of the People follows the story told by Odili, a young and educated narrator, about his conflict with Chief Nanga, his former teacher, who enters a career in politics in an unnamed fictional 20th-century African country. Odili represents the changing younger generation, while Nanga represents the traditional West African customs inspired by Achebe's native Nigeria. The book ends with a military coup, similar to the real-life coup organized by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, Major Adewale Ademoyega, Major Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Captain Chris Anuforo, Major Donatus Okafor, and Major Humphrey Chukwuka.