Ejituru

by Nwanganga Shields

Eighteen-year-old Ejituru’s dream of completing a medical degree in her own country of Nigeria and becoming a doctor was shattered when her father arranged a marriage between her and an older man named Ignatius who had emigrated to the US some years ago and who she only met for a few hours. Ejituru’s father hopes the marriage will bring him wealth since Ignatius’s father was the richest man in the village even though the source of his wealth was unknown and he has been estranged from Ignatius. Although Ignatius’s family back in Nigeria thinks that he is an engineer, Ignatius has instead worked as a houseboy and a drug dealer and currently drives a cab. To Ignatius’s family, the marriage is socially advantageous since it would align them with a well regarded and socially important family in the community.Ejituru having gained admission to the Medical School is unwilling to move immediately to the US and is determined to complete her education in Nigeria. She is supported by her mother, the family bread winner who regards Ignatius’ family as inferior and whose ambition is to see her only daughter excel in college. The mother withdrew her objection when Ignatius agreed to fund Ejituru’s medical education. Not wanting her father to lose face in the village, Ejituru reluctantly agrees to drop out of college in Nigeria and move to the US to marry Ignatius.The marriage proves rocky as each wants something else. Ejituru gradually realizes that things are not what they seem and Ignatius is not the rich man that he has led the family to believe. Ignatius finds that Ejituru is not really the subservient and docile wife that he can control. She is too ambitious and more interested in her society friends. Ejituru struggles to achieve her objective. She gets a job and enrolls in the University and eventually graduates. Frustrated Ignatius finds refuge in the arms of a Nigerian woman who is desperate to have children.

294 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2013

Reviews

[Monica Fastenau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/arc-ejituru/

This book covers so many important issues: culture clashes, sexism, human trafficking, marriage, education, and so much more. Ejituru is a Nigerian girl who longs to finish medical school, but her father wants her to marry Ignatius, who wishes for a family, and move to the US. Since Ignatius is 35 and Ejituru is 18, their ideas about marriage, education, and Nigerian culture clash.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book is that the author does not paint either Ignatius or Ejituru as totally blameless. I have a natural bias toward supporting oppressed females, but the author makes it clear that Ignatius, even though he does some terrible things and lies to his family and Ejituru about his true life in the US, is not all bad. Ejituru shares some of the blame in how quickly their arranged marriage goes downhill. I did find myself getting frustrated with the couple though, as neither one was good at communicating or negotiating for their needs and wishes.

This book offers a fascinating look into modern-day Nigerian life and the clash of traditional culture with modern ideas about relationships and careers for both men and women. Definitely worth a look if you’re interested in learning a bit more about Nigerian culture.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve heard that Nigerian women are resourceful and determined. After reading Ejituru, I believe what I heard is true. This is a story of a young woman with a dream, going through many twists and turns in life, including marrying a stranger so she could come to the U.S., and finally achieving her goals. It has wonderful descriptions of life in a Nigerian village and the dynamics of the extended family.