Oil and Militancy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Noo Saro-Wiwa

Oil and Militancy in Nigeria: A Conversation with Noo Saro-Wiwa

Author: Marshall Poe April 26, 2026 Duration: 0:00
Noo Saro-Wiwa is an author and journalist. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and raised in England, she attended King's College London and Columbia University in New York.​ Her first book, Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria (Granta), was published to critical acclaim in 2012. It was selected as BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week in 2012; named The Sunday Times Travel Book of the Year, 2012; shortlisted for the Author’s Club Dolman Travel Book of the Year in 2013; nominated by The Financial Times as one of the best travel books of 2012. Looking for Transwonderland has been translated into French and Italian, and was awarded the Albatros Travel Literature Prize in Italy in 2016. Noo's second book, Black Ghosts (Canongate, 2023) explores the African community in China and was named Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year in 2025. Her latest publication, The Burning Ground: Oil and Militancy in Nigeria (Columbia Global Reports) examines the social and environmental effects of the insurgency that arose in the oil-rich Niger Delta after the death of her father, the environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. In the report, Noo highlights the undervalued role of women and meets individuals who are working towards sustainable development. It will be published in the US on 14th April 2026, and in the UK on 28th May 2026. Noo has also contributed to the following anthologies: Go Girl 2: The Black Woman’s Book of Travel and Adventure (2024); An Unreliable Guide to London (Influx Press, 2016); A Place of Refuge (Unbound, 2016), an anthology of writing on asylum seekers; and La Felicità Degli Uomini Semplici, an Italian-language anthology based around football. ​​ Noo is a staff writer for Condé Nast Traveller magazine, and she has contributed book reviews, travel, opinion and analysis articles for various publications including The Guardian newspaper, The Financial Times, The Times Literary Supplement, City AM, and Chatham House. She lives in London and supports Liverpool FC. Ayisha Osori is a lawyer and Director at Open Society Foundations Ideas Workshop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/african-studies

Dive into the complex and vibrant realities of the African continent through its latest scholarship. New Books in African Studies, part of the broader New Books Network founded by Marshall Poe, offers a space where authors and academics engage in substantive, accessible conversations about their newest work. Each episode pairs a researcher with a knowledgeable host for a deep exploration of a recently published book, moving beyond simple summaries to unpack the arguments, the research journeys, and the contemporary relevance of these studies. You’ll encounter discussions that span history, politics, social movements, artistic expression, and the intricate dynamics of culture and place, reflecting the podcast’s wide-ranging scope. This channel transforms dense academic writing into lively dialogue, making cutting-edge thought available to anyone curious about Africa’s past and its pressing present. Tuning in provides a direct line to the scholars shaping the field, offering listeners a chance to grapple with fresh perspectives and nuanced analyses. It’s an intellectual resource that respects the listener’s intelligence, fostering a deeper understanding of a region too often simplified. For anyone with an interest in scholarly discourse, global affairs, or simply learning from experts in genuine conversation, this podcast serves as an invaluable and consistently engaging audio library.
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