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Water Baby
She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.
In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her. With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community. Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage. But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?
In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her. With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community. Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage. But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?
400 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2024
26 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Chioma Okereke
3 books15 followersChioma Okereke was born in Benin City, Nigeria. She started her writing career as a poet and performed throughout Europe and the United States before turning her hand to fiction. Her work has been shortlisted in the Undiscovered Authors Competition 2006,run by Bookforce UK, and in the Daily Telegraph's 'Write a Novel in a Year' Competition in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 10, 2025
Nineteen-year-old Yemoja (aka Baby) lives in Makoko, the floating settlement built on stilts on the coastal lagoon in Lagos. Baby earns her living by rowing passengers across the water. She joins a drone mapping project intended to increase the visibility of her community, and a video of her work goes viral. She receives an invitation to represent Makoko at a conference in Switzerland. Baby must choose whether to accept an employment offer or return to her beloved home community.
This is a coming-of-age novel that contains elements of climate fiction. The Makoko is a (real) informal community where people are living in unsanitary conditions and unsafe buildings. Water purity is a primary focus, and we can see a stark contrast between the lagoon and the pristine lakes of Switzerland. Okereke incorporates real elements from Makoko's history, including the government-directed destruction of parts of Makoko and the Code for Africa mapping project.
I think the author does a good job of balancing Baby’s personal journey with climate and class-related elements. The family relationships are well-drawn, particularly with her younger brother Charlie Boy. The dialogue contains humor that helps provide a break from the more serious subject matter. Baby is a wonderful character with a distinct voice. The book is atmospheric and gives the reader an idea of what it is like to live in Makoko, along with their many poverty-related challenges. It portrays the difficulty of making choices between ambition and community, which are rarely simple. I enjoyed this work a great deal and looked up the history of Makoko afterward.
This is a coming-of-age novel that contains elements of climate fiction. The Makoko is a (real) informal community where people are living in unsanitary conditions and unsafe buildings. Water purity is a primary focus, and we can see a stark contrast between the lagoon and the pristine lakes of Switzerland. Okereke incorporates real elements from Makoko's history, including the government-directed destruction of parts of Makoko and the Code for Africa mapping project.
I think the author does a good job of balancing Baby’s personal journey with climate and class-related elements. The family relationships are well-drawn, particularly with her younger brother Charlie Boy. The dialogue contains humor that helps provide a break from the more serious subject matter. Baby is a wonderful character with a distinct voice. The book is atmospheric and gives the reader an idea of what it is like to live in Makoko, along with their many poverty-related challenges. It portrays the difficulty of making choices between ambition and community, which are rarely simple. I enjoyed this work a great deal and looked up the history of Makoko afterward.
April 22, 2024
One of the things I love about reading is that it can take you to places you’ve never visited in real life and are never likely to. Chioma Okereke’s new novel, Water Baby, is set somewhere I knew absolutely nothing about: Makoko, a community built on and around a lagoon in the Nigerian city of Lagos. Although it may sound idyllic, that’s sadly not the case. Makoko, as Okereke describes it, is a place where most of the inhabitants are living in poverty, where the lagoon is dirty and polluted and drug use is a widespread problem. It has become known as Africa’s ‘biggest floating slum’.
The heroine of Okereke’s story is nineteen-year-old Yemoja, nicknamed Baby by her father. Since leaving school, Baby has been earning her living by rowing passengers across the water in her canoe, Charlie-Boy, named after her beloved younger brother, but she and her friends dream of one day experiencing a different way of life. However, with her father trying to push her into marriage with Samson, a neighbour who repairs boats, and with a large family of younger cousins to help care for, the possibility of leaving Makoko seems remote.
Things finally begin to change for Baby when she hears about a newly launched project using drones to create maps of Makoko, increasing the profile and visibility of their settlement. Young women from the community, known as ‘Dream Girls’, are being trained to pilot the drones and Baby is desperate to get involved, despite her father’s distrust of the project. When someone takes a photograph of her on the lagoon, mistaking her for a Dream Girl, the image soon goes viral on social media and Baby finds she has become a celebrity overnight. The opportunity arises for her to represent Makoko at a conference in Switzerland, but will this be the start of a new life for Baby or will she decide that her future lies at home after all?
I thought this book was fascinating, mainly because of the setting and the insights it gave me into a lifestyle so completely different from my own. Okereke describes Makoko so vividly I could already picture what it looked like even before searching for photos to see it for myself. The lives of the people of Makoko are already difficult – making your home on a lagoon means facing problems with sanitation, electricity supplies and running water, not to mention access to education and medical care – but they are also in an unusually vulnerable position regarding climate change:
There used to be more vessels on the horizon, but year on year that’s changing. From the shrinking lagoon size and lesser quantities of fish to water levels rising alongside the rubbish enveloping us. From manmade disasters to unthinkable diseases. Life is always throwing something at us, but we hold our ground.
I liked Baby, but some of the other characters were less well developed; in particular I felt that I never fully got to know her love interest, Prince. I did find Baby’s relationship with her little brother Charlie Boy very moving, though, for reasons that I can’t really explain here without spoiling the story! Although Baby and her friends are fictional characters, the Code for Africa mapping project and the Dream Girls are real and I found it interesting to read more about them after finishing the book.
The heroine of Okereke’s story is nineteen-year-old Yemoja, nicknamed Baby by her father. Since leaving school, Baby has been earning her living by rowing passengers across the water in her canoe, Charlie-Boy, named after her beloved younger brother, but she and her friends dream of one day experiencing a different way of life. However, with her father trying to push her into marriage with Samson, a neighbour who repairs boats, and with a large family of younger cousins to help care for, the possibility of leaving Makoko seems remote.
Things finally begin to change for Baby when she hears about a newly launched project using drones to create maps of Makoko, increasing the profile and visibility of their settlement. Young women from the community, known as ‘Dream Girls’, are being trained to pilot the drones and Baby is desperate to get involved, despite her father’s distrust of the project. When someone takes a photograph of her on the lagoon, mistaking her for a Dream Girl, the image soon goes viral on social media and Baby finds she has become a celebrity overnight. The opportunity arises for her to represent Makoko at a conference in Switzerland, but will this be the start of a new life for Baby or will she decide that her future lies at home after all?
I thought this book was fascinating, mainly because of the setting and the insights it gave me into a lifestyle so completely different from my own. Okereke describes Makoko so vividly I could already picture what it looked like even before searching for photos to see it for myself. The lives of the people of Makoko are already difficult – making your home on a lagoon means facing problems with sanitation, electricity supplies and running water, not to mention access to education and medical care – but they are also in an unusually vulnerable position regarding climate change:
There used to be more vessels on the horizon, but year on year that’s changing. From the shrinking lagoon size and lesser quantities of fish to water levels rising alongside the rubbish enveloping us. From manmade disasters to unthinkable diseases. Life is always throwing something at us, but we hold our ground.
I liked Baby, but some of the other characters were less well developed; in particular I felt that I never fully got to know her love interest, Prince. I did find Baby’s relationship with her little brother Charlie Boy very moving, though, for reasons that I can’t really explain here without spoiling the story! Although Baby and her friends are fictional characters, the Code for Africa mapping project and the Dream Girls are real and I found it interesting to read more about them after finishing the book.
August 27, 2025
I wanted to like this book because it was an interesting setting but 100 pages in and there’s still no plot so it’s a DNF for me.
June 14, 2024
Born in Nigeria but now resident in London, Lagos and rural France, Chioma Okereke is a performance poet, short story writer, and novelist, and Water Baby is her second novel. Her debut novel, Bitter Leaf, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and like Water Baby was set in Africa. But whereas Bitter Leaf was set in an unspecified part of the African continent, Water Baby is set in Makoko — a very specific part of Lagos, the capital of Nigeria.
Makoko is a slum settlement on the banks of a lagoon. About a third of the houses are built on stilts, (like the settlements along the Mekong River) and the economy is based on fishing in its polluted waters, and the sawmill. Okereke's novel tells us that the community is self-sufficient. It has to be because the government wants to displace the people who live there and redevelop the area into luxury housing. So infrastructure (as in electricity) is 'informal', and there are no government health, welfare or education services, only what can be provided from within the settlement.
A guestimate of its population is about 85,000 but that's probably an underestimate because they weren't included in the 2007 census.
img class="wp-image-128926 size-large" src="https://anzlitlovers.com/wp-content/u..." alt="" width="500" height="281" />
The central character and narrator of Water Baby is Yemoja, named for the water deity who protected her on the day she was born — but everyone calls her Baby. When the story opens she is in her late teens, under pressure from her widowed father to marry, but contributing to household income with her 'taxi service', i.e. ferrying people about the settlement in her small canoe called Charlie-Boy in honour of her little brother who died some years ago. Her mother died some years ago too but she has wise counsel from aunties and the formidable Mama Jumbo who runs a retail empire from her fleet of boats.
Baby also looks after her siblings little Kemi and Afo, and (with reluctance) her layabout cousin Tayo who came to live with them after his own family gave up on him. Tayo has perfected the well-known art of doing nothing so that the female with whom he lives either has to put up with the effects of his idleness or do it herself. In the claustrophobic shared spaces of her home, Baby doesn't have the option of letting things go.
Water Baby is a coming-of-age story with fairy tale elements and a nod to the relatability aspects of YA.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/06/14/w...
Makoko is a slum settlement on the banks of a lagoon. About a third of the houses are built on stilts, (like the settlements along the Mekong River) and the economy is based on fishing in its polluted waters, and the sawmill. Okereke's novel tells us that the community is self-sufficient. It has to be because the government wants to displace the people who live there and redevelop the area into luxury housing. So infrastructure (as in electricity) is 'informal', and there are no government health, welfare or education services, only what can be provided from within the settlement.
A guestimate of its population is about 85,000 but that's probably an underestimate because they weren't included in the 2007 census.
img class="wp-image-128926 size-large" src="https://anzlitlovers.com/wp-content/u..." alt="" width="500" height="281" />
The central character and narrator of Water Baby is Yemoja, named for the water deity who protected her on the day she was born — but everyone calls her Baby. When the story opens she is in her late teens, under pressure from her widowed father to marry, but contributing to household income with her 'taxi service', i.e. ferrying people about the settlement in her small canoe called Charlie-Boy in honour of her little brother who died some years ago. Her mother died some years ago too but she has wise counsel from aunties and the formidable Mama Jumbo who runs a retail empire from her fleet of boats.
Baby also looks after her siblings little Kemi and Afo, and (with reluctance) her layabout cousin Tayo who came to live with them after his own family gave up on him. Tayo has perfected the well-known art of doing nothing so that the female with whom he lives either has to put up with the effects of his idleness or do it herself. In the claustrophobic shared spaces of her home, Baby doesn't have the option of letting things go.
Water Baby is a coming-of-age story with fairy tale elements and a nod to the relatability aspects of YA.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/06/14/w...
dnf
August 8, 2025Interesting setting in a place I never knew existed and it’s really well-described. But I’m 100 pages in and not really seeing much of a plot or feeling a strong connection to the characters so this is unfortunately a dnf for me.
April 28, 2025
What a beautiful and compelling story! This is full of vivid descriptions that transported me there among characters that unexpectedly feel so ordinary and familiar. A top notch story that transports you to another world. It was amazingly written and I would read it again!
June 1, 2025
I really wanted to love this book especially given the international setting, and it started out magical. The descriptions of Makoko, a fishing neighborhood of Lagos consisting of buildings on stilts in a sprawling polluted lagoon, serve as the heart of the story. It’s fascinating, eye-opening, and otherworldly. I found it interesting that at one point Makoko is described as “the Venice of Africa”, and at a later point the characters are talking about traveling to “the Makoko of Italy”. Delightful stuff.
Where the book falters is the loose, almost nonexistent plot. Once the author is more or less done painting a picture of Makoko, the narrative drags and meanders. I can’t point out a single climax because there isn’t much of one. I was hoping for an inspirational speech given by the protagonist at the climate conference in Switzerland, or more of an exploration of the drone-powered mapping project, but these things were only hinted at (despite the front jacket blurb suggesting otherwise). There are only handful of events that truly *happen* in the story, and I spent most of the last 200 pages speed-reading just to get to them.
Something else that REALLY ticked me off - and shame on the editor, honestly - was the atrocious mixing of verb tenses. Much of the story is told in present tense, but the first-person narrator often detours into long expository flashbacks told in past perfect (as in “I had eaten” instead of just “I ate”) which is such an odd, detached way to tell a story. The book would have been much less confusing to follow if the author had kept to a more linear narrative, and limited the flashback sequences to only when truly necessary (for example, for deaths of characters that occurred years ago, and not just a long description of a date that took place a day ago.)
I didn’t hate Water Baby, but I can’t say I would recommend it to friends given its extremely slow pacing. I do hope that Book of the Month features more international authors soon.
Where the book falters is the loose, almost nonexistent plot. Once the author is more or less done painting a picture of Makoko, the narrative drags and meanders. I can’t point out a single climax because there isn’t much of one. I was hoping for an inspirational speech given by the protagonist at the climate conference in Switzerland, or more of an exploration of the drone-powered mapping project, but these things were only hinted at (despite the front jacket blurb suggesting otherwise). There are only handful of events that truly *happen* in the story, and I spent most of the last 200 pages speed-reading just to get to them.
Something else that REALLY ticked me off - and shame on the editor, honestly - was the atrocious mixing of verb tenses. Much of the story is told in present tense, but the first-person narrator often detours into long expository flashbacks told in past perfect (as in “I had eaten” instead of just “I ate”) which is such an odd, detached way to tell a story. The book would have been much less confusing to follow if the author had kept to a more linear narrative, and limited the flashback sequences to only when truly necessary (for example, for deaths of characters that occurred years ago, and not just a long description of a date that took place a day ago.)
I didn’t hate Water Baby, but I can’t say I would recommend it to friends given its extremely slow pacing. I do hope that Book of the Month features more international authors soon.
November 10, 2025
I’ll start by saying that realistic fiction - especially realistic fiction about Nigeria, and in this case - Makoko, is understandably difficult to write. I commend this author for creating what is probably one of the only books about this area [as at this point anyways] and for creating a somewhat self generated context/narrative of Makoko, which so far has mostly got a lot of media coverage from external bodies [as is the case for many poverty stricken areas in the world].
I also appreciated the writing of friendship in this book, the exploration of grief and general themes around family and community. This and the general subject matter and the sentimental value it holds were the only reasons I did not abandon this book.
That being said, and I’m being very critical here because of the context above, I think this book doesn’t do justice to the heavy themes it tries to capture. For a story about the resilience of a people whose existence has been continually threatened by the Lagos/Nigerian government, the plot falls flat, is basic and even disappoints in some areas.
The language is an area that irked me the most - the protagonist is the narrator of the novel and switches between questionable Nigerian pidgin(English creole), British English slang (?) and general English with ease - which is implausible for someone who’s entire life has been in Makoko [where the major spoken languages are French, Egun and Pidgin English]. The narration also switches between present and past in speech sporadically - and for this honestly I blame the editor! At times, I felt like editing the book myself 😬
There was so much opportunity to truly explore plots in this book - Idunnu and Baby’s changing relationships, class difference with Prince and Baby as she became famous, deeper motivations and back story for Madam Jumbo etc, Baby’s father’s emotions other than stoic one liners, the hierarchy of respect in Makoko i.e deferring to the baale and chiefs etc, exploring the true motivations of NGOs and the use of Baby as marketing material, how the conference at Davos affected Baby going forwards etc
On a positive note, the book is redeemed a bit by its ending [which unfortunately felt rushed in my opinion] - Baby thinking of new business, her finally understanding her father's dealing with loss.. bringing my review to a 2.5 stars.
I also appreciated the authors inclusion of a donation link for Makoko - which despite my thoughts on the book’s content itself - has long rippling positive effects. They didn’t have to, and I think adding it in as well as publicly documenting what the donations would be used for shows the general intention for this novel - drawing attention to Makoko. And it does this, despite the aforementioned shortcomings.
I also appreciated the writing of friendship in this book, the exploration of grief and general themes around family and community. This and the general subject matter and the sentimental value it holds were the only reasons I did not abandon this book.
That being said, and I’m being very critical here because of the context above, I think this book doesn’t do justice to the heavy themes it tries to capture. For a story about the resilience of a people whose existence has been continually threatened by the Lagos/Nigerian government, the plot falls flat, is basic and even disappoints in some areas.
The language is an area that irked me the most - the protagonist is the narrator of the novel and switches between questionable Nigerian pidgin(English creole), British English slang (?) and general English with ease - which is implausible for someone who’s entire life has been in Makoko [where the major spoken languages are French, Egun and Pidgin English]. The narration also switches between present and past in speech sporadically - and for this honestly I blame the editor! At times, I felt like editing the book myself 😬
There was so much opportunity to truly explore plots in this book - Idunnu and Baby’s changing relationships, class difference with Prince and Baby as she became famous, deeper motivations and back story for Madam Jumbo etc, Baby’s father’s emotions other than stoic one liners, the hierarchy of respect in Makoko i.e deferring to the baale and chiefs etc, exploring the true motivations of NGOs and the use of Baby as marketing material, how the conference at Davos affected Baby going forwards etc
On a positive note, the book is redeemed a bit by its ending [which unfortunately felt rushed in my opinion] - Baby thinking of new business, her finally understanding her father's dealing with loss.. bringing my review to a 2.5 stars.
I also appreciated the authors inclusion of a donation link for Makoko - which despite my thoughts on the book’s content itself - has long rippling positive effects. They didn’t have to, and I think adding it in as well as publicly documenting what the donations would be used for shows the general intention for this novel - drawing attention to Makoko. And it does this, despite the aforementioned shortcomings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2024
Dear Chioma,
Thank you for sharing a signed copy of Water Baby with Eseri. As soon as I read the blurb, I was curious.
I absorbed the story through Water Baby's lived experience across Makoko's six distinct “villages” spread across land and water: Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro, and Apollo, all of which sit on a fetid lagoon. It feels like I am thumbing through a series of photographic stills, storyboards, with vivid and complex characters, plots, and challenges peculiar to scenes and locations across the story: canoe-taxi paddlers navigate their way around waste, through narrow, tricky canal passages, perching on the edge of canoes, Schiphol Airport, Zurich Airport and Davos. It almost reads like a travel graphic novel.
Water Baby's journey takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a Drone Mapping exercise upon concluding a fishing trip on the lagoon. She describes volunteers positioned on the sides of their canoes, utilizing their phones to gather data. As she becomes involved in collecting visual data, presumably also gathering geo-data via GPS and Open Data Kit, she contributes to the creation of a detailed map of Makoko as a settlement. This pivotal moment, captured in a photograph, marks the beginning of new opportunities beyond Makoko for Water Baby and her community. Her narrative resembles a form of participatory visual research, akin to a story-map depicting an unfamiliar urban landscape, recently showcased by Michael Palin on Channel 5 (UK). This narrative provides insight into a world I had previously observed only from a distance—the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The narrative of Water Baby reads like a docu-fictional tale, inviting the visually interpretative reader to immerse themselves in the scenes from Water Baby's life. Through her storytelling, readers are transported into the intricate web of her family and friends' lives within the community's cultural, social, aspirational, and belief-system-informed context.
I find that it unveils significant structural barriers, prompting her to question her evolving identity and fostering her aspirations, grounded in a steadfast conviction of what is right, defined on her own terms.
From my perspective, the convergence of serendipitous events and the involvement of enlightened self-interested individuals in her narrative might prompt readers with a development mindset to contemplate innovative solutions. With the assistance of mapping technologies, designers, and engineers, these readers can be encouraged to explore collaborative project management approaches to address nonexistent drainage or sewage systems, to withstand extreme weather conditions, accommodate a burgeoning population, and mitigate pollution and health hazards within the community.
Perhaps these solutions could be integrated into Lagos State's Water Management Plan in the long term. Thus, the story serves as a creative catalyst for community-led planners, technologists, and policymakers alike.
During her time in Davos, the narrative alludes to a character-defining incident at a wood mill, where Water Baby's father is employed. This setting serves as a tribute to the community's expertise and economic prowess in the wood manufacturing sector, influencing construction and furniture industries not only within Lagos State and Ogun State, but also beyond.
It's captivating to observe Water Baby's transformative self-awareness as she grapples with a fear of loss, which shapes her relationship with her protective father. His worldview is deeply influenced by the loss of Water Baby's mother and their son, Charlie Boy, due to a series of unfortunate events triggered by a sudden raid by city authorities in Makoko. At the time, I understand, the settlement had encroached dangerously close to the adjacent bridge and power cables, prompting the intervention. Water Baby navigates her existence with a constantly reflective mindset, drawing on the principles of filial piety and the compassionate entrepreneurial outlook instilled by Mama Jumbo. She also finds guidance from her network of friends, the challenges she faces, and the inspiration provided by her siblings. Additionally, she seeks solace in the spiritual presence of her mother and siblings, each offering diverse perspectives on life.
A promising continuation of Water Baby's narrative could commence with her reflection on the intricate challenges that accompany her affection for someone immersed in the culinary arts, contributing to the global renown of The Viceroy. Against this backdrop, an offer extended by Helen, a pivotal figure in a small team that orchestrated Water Baby's transformative experience at Davos, could herald a new chapter in her journey.
This offer entails harnessing the expertise of designers and engineers to explore innovative solutions aimed at addressing the pressing issues of non-existent drainage or sewage systems in Makoko, and by extension its integration a statewide system. These solutions would need to be resilient to extreme weather conditions, accommodate a burgeoning population, mitigate pollution, and combat health hazards prevalent in the city. Such a narrative progression would not only underscore the intricacies of Water Baby's personal and professional evolution but also underscore the collaborative efforts required to navigate and overcome the multifaceted challenges confronting urban development in Lagos.
Contemplating this narrative journey led me to reflect on the profound insights encapsulated in 'Engineering Is Development' by Bayo Adeola. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative potential inherent in technology, particularly in the context of Drone Mapping, alongside the collaborative efforts of design and engineering. Together, these disciplines can inform and bolster water strategies aimed at addressing the myriad health challenges plaguing Makoko's community. By facilitating Community Led restorative measures for space utilization and the purification of wastewater, these initiatives align seamlessly with broader objectives such as advancing quality education and advocating for the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Kind regards,
Ayo
Thank you for sharing a signed copy of Water Baby with Eseri. As soon as I read the blurb, I was curious.
I absorbed the story through Water Baby's lived experience across Makoko's six distinct “villages” spread across land and water: Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Yanshiwhe, Sogunro, and Apollo, all of which sit on a fetid lagoon. It feels like I am thumbing through a series of photographic stills, storyboards, with vivid and complex characters, plots, and challenges peculiar to scenes and locations across the story: canoe-taxi paddlers navigate their way around waste, through narrow, tricky canal passages, perching on the edge of canoes, Schiphol Airport, Zurich Airport and Davos. It almost reads like a travel graphic novel.
Water Baby's journey takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a Drone Mapping exercise upon concluding a fishing trip on the lagoon. She describes volunteers positioned on the sides of their canoes, utilizing their phones to gather data. As she becomes involved in collecting visual data, presumably also gathering geo-data via GPS and Open Data Kit, she contributes to the creation of a detailed map of Makoko as a settlement. This pivotal moment, captured in a photograph, marks the beginning of new opportunities beyond Makoko for Water Baby and her community. Her narrative resembles a form of participatory visual research, akin to a story-map depicting an unfamiliar urban landscape, recently showcased by Michael Palin on Channel 5 (UK). This narrative provides insight into a world I had previously observed only from a distance—the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The narrative of Water Baby reads like a docu-fictional tale, inviting the visually interpretative reader to immerse themselves in the scenes from Water Baby's life. Through her storytelling, readers are transported into the intricate web of her family and friends' lives within the community's cultural, social, aspirational, and belief-system-informed context.
I find that it unveils significant structural barriers, prompting her to question her evolving identity and fostering her aspirations, grounded in a steadfast conviction of what is right, defined on her own terms.
From my perspective, the convergence of serendipitous events and the involvement of enlightened self-interested individuals in her narrative might prompt readers with a development mindset to contemplate innovative solutions. With the assistance of mapping technologies, designers, and engineers, these readers can be encouraged to explore collaborative project management approaches to address nonexistent drainage or sewage systems, to withstand extreme weather conditions, accommodate a burgeoning population, and mitigate pollution and health hazards within the community.
Perhaps these solutions could be integrated into Lagos State's Water Management Plan in the long term. Thus, the story serves as a creative catalyst for community-led planners, technologists, and policymakers alike.
During her time in Davos, the narrative alludes to a character-defining incident at a wood mill, where Water Baby's father is employed. This setting serves as a tribute to the community's expertise and economic prowess in the wood manufacturing sector, influencing construction and furniture industries not only within Lagos State and Ogun State, but also beyond.
It's captivating to observe Water Baby's transformative self-awareness as she grapples with a fear of loss, which shapes her relationship with her protective father. His worldview is deeply influenced by the loss of Water Baby's mother and their son, Charlie Boy, due to a series of unfortunate events triggered by a sudden raid by city authorities in Makoko. At the time, I understand, the settlement had encroached dangerously close to the adjacent bridge and power cables, prompting the intervention. Water Baby navigates her existence with a constantly reflective mindset, drawing on the principles of filial piety and the compassionate entrepreneurial outlook instilled by Mama Jumbo. She also finds guidance from her network of friends, the challenges she faces, and the inspiration provided by her siblings. Additionally, she seeks solace in the spiritual presence of her mother and siblings, each offering diverse perspectives on life.
A promising continuation of Water Baby's narrative could commence with her reflection on the intricate challenges that accompany her affection for someone immersed in the culinary arts, contributing to the global renown of The Viceroy. Against this backdrop, an offer extended by Helen, a pivotal figure in a small team that orchestrated Water Baby's transformative experience at Davos, could herald a new chapter in her journey.
This offer entails harnessing the expertise of designers and engineers to explore innovative solutions aimed at addressing the pressing issues of non-existent drainage or sewage systems in Makoko, and by extension its integration a statewide system. These solutions would need to be resilient to extreme weather conditions, accommodate a burgeoning population, mitigate pollution, and combat health hazards prevalent in the city. Such a narrative progression would not only underscore the intricacies of Water Baby's personal and professional evolution but also underscore the collaborative efforts required to navigate and overcome the multifaceted challenges confronting urban development in Lagos.
Contemplating this narrative journey led me to reflect on the profound insights encapsulated in 'Engineering Is Development' by Bayo Adeola. It serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative potential inherent in technology, particularly in the context of Drone Mapping, alongside the collaborative efforts of design and engineering. Together, these disciplines can inform and bolster water strategies aimed at addressing the myriad health challenges plaguing Makoko's community. By facilitating Community Led restorative measures for space utilization and the purification of wastewater, these initiatives align seamlessly with broader objectives such as advancing quality education and advocating for the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Kind regards,
Ayo
July 12, 2025
I almost DNF’d this book and that never happens.
The setting was completely different from what I normally read and I’m thankful that I got to experience it in this book. However, I don’t feel like there was much of a plot. I got about 200 pages in and I still felt like literally nothing of consequence had happened. Our main character is supposed to grow pretty significantly and while she does, more of the time in the book was focused on unnecessary, nitty-gritty details.
Also, I love when a book reveals something shocking and you feel everything click into place as you remember all of the foreshadowing leading up to it. In this book, the reveals felt random.
I’m sad because I was really excited to read this. The inside cover made it sound like a much different book than it turned out to be. Sometimes, that’s a really good thing and you get something you weren’t expecting. In this case, though I was just disappointed.
The setting was completely different from what I normally read and I’m thankful that I got to experience it in this book. However, I don’t feel like there was much of a plot. I got about 200 pages in and I still felt like literally nothing of consequence had happened. Our main character is supposed to grow pretty significantly and while she does, more of the time in the book was focused on unnecessary, nitty-gritty details.
Also, I love when a book reveals something shocking and you feel everything click into place as you remember all of the foreshadowing leading up to it. In this book, the reveals felt random.
I’m sad because I was really excited to read this. The inside cover made it sound like a much different book than it turned out to be. Sometimes, that’s a really good thing and you get something you weren’t expecting. In this case, though I was just disappointed.
May 15, 2024
‘There’s an old tale where we live about throwing a newborn into the lagoon.
If the baby drowns, it is illegitimate and the mother must be banished from the community. But if it floats, the infant is embraced by all. They say fathers used to celebrate their child’s birth with this test. It must have been a trick, though, as everybody knows that all babies float.’
Until I picked up this novel, I had never heard of Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos. Our protagonist, nineteen-year-old Yemoja, known almost universally as Baby, brings Makoko, its people, and concerns to life. Baby works hard to support the remnants of her own family as well as looking out for her cousins. Her mother and brother, Charlie, are both dead. Baby’s father wants her to marry, but Baby wants a different future. While she ferries her canoe around Makoko, earning a living by ferrying passengers and working for the formidable Mama Jumbo, Baby longs to work as part of a newly launched drone-mapping project. The aim of the project is to increase the visibility of Makoko and make more people aware of the hardships the inhabitants endure.
Publication of a photograph taken of Baby while working with the mapping party goes viral. She becomes known as the ‘Pearl of Makoko’ and is invited to represent Makoko at a conference in Davos, Switzerland.
‘All of a sudden, we’re superstars.’
Imagine the culture shock: exchanging heat for snow, experiencing an abundance of clean running water, and having an entire hotel room to herself! Alas, not everything goes according to plan. Baby returns to Makoko early after her father has an accident, and a member of the group she was part of disappears. But she has had a taste of possibilities outside Makoko and the experience of being at Davos, of speaking about the absence of clean water and its impact, reinforces for Baby that there may be more to life.
>i>‘Right now, you’re the Pearl of Makoko, our water warrior, who can help us have very necessary conversations about how we end the clean water crisis devastating so much of the world …’
While her friends (mostly) seek marriage and Baby has a boyfriend, she sees other possibilities as well. Can her father agree?
‘It’s not even a case of me being too picky; more that I’m not in a hurry. How did Mama Jumbo put it? There’s more to life than this water.’
The novel unfolds over four parts: Water; Earth; Air and Fire with each part significant in Baby’s journey. The description of life in Makoko, the matter-of-fact way in which Baby describes hardship, lack of opportunities and tragedy is a stark reminder that life for many is a constant battle for survival. I finished this novel wondering what the future might hold for Baby. This is Ms Okereke’s second novel, and I am seeking a copy of her first.
Highly recommended.
‘Loss was something all inhabitants of Makoko experienced; it surrounded us like the lagoon. No one would dare drink the black water directly, knowing how badly it would harm the body, but it always found its way into us just the same.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
If the baby drowns, it is illegitimate and the mother must be banished from the community. But if it floats, the infant is embraced by all. They say fathers used to celebrate their child’s birth with this test. It must have been a trick, though, as everybody knows that all babies float.’
Until I picked up this novel, I had never heard of Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos. Our protagonist, nineteen-year-old Yemoja, known almost universally as Baby, brings Makoko, its people, and concerns to life. Baby works hard to support the remnants of her own family as well as looking out for her cousins. Her mother and brother, Charlie, are both dead. Baby’s father wants her to marry, but Baby wants a different future. While she ferries her canoe around Makoko, earning a living by ferrying passengers and working for the formidable Mama Jumbo, Baby longs to work as part of a newly launched drone-mapping project. The aim of the project is to increase the visibility of Makoko and make more people aware of the hardships the inhabitants endure.
Publication of a photograph taken of Baby while working with the mapping party goes viral. She becomes known as the ‘Pearl of Makoko’ and is invited to represent Makoko at a conference in Davos, Switzerland.
‘All of a sudden, we’re superstars.’
Imagine the culture shock: exchanging heat for snow, experiencing an abundance of clean running water, and having an entire hotel room to herself! Alas, not everything goes according to plan. Baby returns to Makoko early after her father has an accident, and a member of the group she was part of disappears. But she has had a taste of possibilities outside Makoko and the experience of being at Davos, of speaking about the absence of clean water and its impact, reinforces for Baby that there may be more to life.
>i>‘Right now, you’re the Pearl of Makoko, our water warrior, who can help us have very necessary conversations about how we end the clean water crisis devastating so much of the world …’
While her friends (mostly) seek marriage and Baby has a boyfriend, she sees other possibilities as well. Can her father agree?
‘It’s not even a case of me being too picky; more that I’m not in a hurry. How did Mama Jumbo put it? There’s more to life than this water.’
The novel unfolds over four parts: Water; Earth; Air and Fire with each part significant in Baby’s journey. The description of life in Makoko, the matter-of-fact way in which Baby describes hardship, lack of opportunities and tragedy is a stark reminder that life for many is a constant battle for survival. I finished this novel wondering what the future might hold for Baby. This is Ms Okereke’s second novel, and I am seeking a copy of her first.
Highly recommended.
‘Loss was something all inhabitants of Makoko experienced; it surrounded us like the lagoon. No one would dare drink the black water directly, knowing how badly it would harm the body, but it always found its way into us just the same.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 10, 2025
Water Baby immerses us in the floating community slums of Mokoko, off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria. Through the resourceful but frustrated eyes of main character Baby, as she begins to struggle with the traditional expectations placed on her and yearn towards a future of her own making, we see the troubles facing the wider community: no sanitation, no waste services or clean water and a government that is ready to turn on them and destroy their homes and lives in the name of urban improvement.
The irony of the lagoon water being so terribly polluted and yet the daily lives of Mokoko residents revolving entirely on and around it is highlighted with every fishing boat, floating taxi, trade boat and fish-smoking huddle and the pervasive poverty that makes Baby strive for more, easily turns others like her cousin to drink drugs or crime to achieve temporary release from the grind.
Baby showcases the resourcefulness, resilience and creativity of the rising young generations (as do her friends), but her inner conflict shows that, while change is needed for the people and environment, it is also feared for the potential loss of community and culture through traditions formed to support within the community where they lack support from without. Baby is torn between her desire for more than marriage and Makoko life and her love for her home, where her memories of mother and her strong bond with her brother form deep roots.
The later part of the novel shows a stark contrast to Makoko and its troubles, as Baby gets to experience a taste of Switzerland and cleaner waters, and attempts to draw international eyes to the plight and pride of her local community, and explores some of the dangers of local people being treated as mere ‘figureheads’ by well-meaning outsiders wanting to ‘save’ them without listening to their needs and ideas.
There is loads to think about here. I was inspired, after reading, to take to the internet and find out more about Makoko, and recognised so much of the information from what I had just read, in what is actually a quite simple tale of a young woman coming of age and working out her own path between tradition and change. Watching The Journey’s video on YouTube: ‘Life in a Floating Slum in Africa – Makoko’, merely confirmed the mental picture that this author had already painted so vividly with her words and brought to life in her characters.
The irony of the lagoon water being so terribly polluted and yet the daily lives of Mokoko residents revolving entirely on and around it is highlighted with every fishing boat, floating taxi, trade boat and fish-smoking huddle and the pervasive poverty that makes Baby strive for more, easily turns others like her cousin to drink drugs or crime to achieve temporary release from the grind.
Baby showcases the resourcefulness, resilience and creativity of the rising young generations (as do her friends), but her inner conflict shows that, while change is needed for the people and environment, it is also feared for the potential loss of community and culture through traditions formed to support within the community where they lack support from without. Baby is torn between her desire for more than marriage and Makoko life and her love for her home, where her memories of mother and her strong bond with her brother form deep roots.
The later part of the novel shows a stark contrast to Makoko and its troubles, as Baby gets to experience a taste of Switzerland and cleaner waters, and attempts to draw international eyes to the plight and pride of her local community, and explores some of the dangers of local people being treated as mere ‘figureheads’ by well-meaning outsiders wanting to ‘save’ them without listening to their needs and ideas.
There is loads to think about here. I was inspired, after reading, to take to the internet and find out more about Makoko, and recognised so much of the information from what I had just read, in what is actually a quite simple tale of a young woman coming of age and working out her own path between tradition and change. Watching The Journey’s video on YouTube: ‘Life in a Floating Slum in Africa – Makoko’, merely confirmed the mental picture that this author had already painted so vividly with her words and brought to life in her characters.
June 6, 2024
I loved this story. It does what great stories do. It takes you somewhere so unfamiliar and yet, at the same time, you are grappling with universal human conditions that we all can relate to.
Set on Makoko, the floating village off Lagos, Chioma powerfully introduces us to this complex and vibrant world through her protagonist known as Baby, a 19 year old who is struggling with her ambitions for a different life of adventure and expectations of her family and her society.
Chioma's artistry is in bringing this unique place to life with all its contradictions and does not shy from painting a real picture of the adversities of day to day living, and at the same time brings such a lightness of prose to show the beauty of the way of life in Makoko and its deep roots within the souls that live there, without romancing it. This is the kind of writing that brings you close to the story, that you can feel it, smell it and taste it.
We follow Baby's epic hero journey that take her from her booundaried world on the water, to the big bright lights of Lagos, and then further across the world to the mountains of Switzerland.
I don't want to ruin this for any readers, all I want to say, is if you want surprise, wonder and a story full of heart, you can't go wrong here.
Set on Makoko, the floating village off Lagos, Chioma powerfully introduces us to this complex and vibrant world through her protagonist known as Baby, a 19 year old who is struggling with her ambitions for a different life of adventure and expectations of her family and her society.
Chioma's artistry is in bringing this unique place to life with all its contradictions and does not shy from painting a real picture of the adversities of day to day living, and at the same time brings such a lightness of prose to show the beauty of the way of life in Makoko and its deep roots within the souls that live there, without romancing it. This is the kind of writing that brings you close to the story, that you can feel it, smell it and taste it.
We follow Baby's epic hero journey that take her from her booundaried world on the water, to the big bright lights of Lagos, and then further across the world to the mountains of Switzerland.
I don't want to ruin this for any readers, all I want to say, is if you want surprise, wonder and a story full of heart, you can't go wrong here.
March 29, 2024
In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father had planned for her. With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community. Then a video at her work goes viral, and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage. But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed off? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?
This story brought memories of a time when my father-in-law worked in Lagos many years ago. I liked Baby and could understand why she wanted a better life for herself. I think that appeals to us more when we are younger to try ventures new, or when we live in a country that has huge differences among its people. This was an interesting read.
Published 11th April
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #ChiomaOkereke for my ARC of #WaterBaby in exchange for an honest review.
This story brought memories of a time when my father-in-law worked in Lagos many years ago. I liked Baby and could understand why she wanted a better life for herself. I think that appeals to us more when we are younger to try ventures new, or when we live in a country that has huge differences among its people. This was an interesting read.
Published 11th April
I would like to thank #NetGalley #QuercusBooks and the author #ChiomaOkereke for my ARC of #WaterBaby in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2025
This debut novel has an interesting concept. As a British-Nigerian, I was eager to read from the perspective of a young girl from Makoko because it’s an area of Lagos I’m not familiar with. Like many people, I probably have my own prejudices and stereotypes of the famous slum. However, reading this novel allowed me to challenge my own biases as I empathised with the protagonist.
Unfortunately, the writing style felt quite basic and the plot could’ve been escalated to make it more compelling. The lack of strong developmental edits is particularly evident in the last third of the novel, which is set in Switzerland. The author provides a surface-level explanation of the conference, rather than rooting it in Baby’s character or providing a strong storyline.
However, it was a decent three-star read. Thank you to We Are Media Hive for my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog
aminasbookshelf.com and check out IG/Tiktok @aminasbookshelf
for more book reviews and recommendations
Unfortunately, the writing style felt quite basic and the plot could’ve been escalated to make it more compelling. The lack of strong developmental edits is particularly evident in the last third of the novel, which is set in Switzerland. The author provides a surface-level explanation of the conference, rather than rooting it in Baby’s character or providing a strong storyline.
However, it was a decent three-star read. Thank you to We Are Media Hive for my #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog
aminasbookshelf.com and check out IG/Tiktok @aminasbookshelf
for more book reviews and recommendations
February 11, 2024
Nigeria is well known for being a country where the differences between the haves and have-nots are among the worst in the world. Those who fall in the latter category may dream of achieving similar riches to those belonging in the former group, but their means of doing so are severely limited.
Teenager Baby has grown up in a floating slum called Makoko and is one of those looking for a way out to a better life. But when a work assignment leads to an unexpected opportunity for her to do just that, she finds that the choices are less straight forward than she expected...
This is a story about a vibrant, challenging culture and I enjoyed it. Those unfamiliar with Nigeria in general, and Lagos in particular, are likely to find it most appealing. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Teenager Baby has grown up in a floating slum called Makoko and is one of those looking for a way out to a better life. But when a work assignment leads to an unexpected opportunity for her to do just that, she finds that the choices are less straight forward than she expected...
This is a story about a vibrant, challenging culture and I enjoyed it. Those unfamiliar with Nigeria in general, and Lagos in particular, are likely to find it most appealing. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 26, 2024
A story about a woman from the floating slum of Lagos who makes it onto the world stage for environmentalism and her life, loves, losses, and home.
I enjoyed the relationships and dynamics with her friends and family. I felt for her trying to avoid the pressure to marry, while finding a new love for herself. Her interactions with her little brother were beautifully done and the descriptions of her home - i could almost smell it! You could really tell she loved the place.
It lost me a little when detailing the drone project and the conferences but that happened very little and i would have liked to know what happened to Idunna, but you'd rarely find out what happened to her in real life so it does suit.
All in all, an enjoyable read :)
***A Netgalley ARC***
I enjoyed the relationships and dynamics with her friends and family. I felt for her trying to avoid the pressure to marry, while finding a new love for herself. Her interactions with her little brother were beautifully done and the descriptions of her home - i could almost smell it! You could really tell she loved the place.
It lost me a little when detailing the drone project and the conferences but that happened very little and i would have liked to know what happened to Idunna, but you'd rarely find out what happened to her in real life so it does suit.
All in all, an enjoyable read :)
***A Netgalley ARC***
May 18, 2025
I always enjoy books when I can learn about another culture. This is a story about a young woman, Baby, from Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria. The author has done an amazing job describing the community, water, pollution, garbage debris, human waste and stench. After googling Makoko and seeing photos of the place, I am amazed at the intricate maze-like homes built on stilts where people make a living fishing and carting people around in taxi canoes. Although this story is fiction, the location, the drone-mapping project and the hope for a better future are all true. Excellent story!
December 21, 2025
Unbelievably and bafflingly boring. Might have benefited from multiple POVs (Yemoja, Ngozi, and Idunnu, maybe?). The most interesting things that happened were background noise to Yemoja’s plodding and uninspired inner monologue and the sophistication of the POV didn’t match the lack of education the author kept claiming Yemoja had.
Okereke states she was inspired to write this based on a video, and it definitely does feel like she awkwardly took a narrative from someone else in an attempt to be unique. The ending is actually quite interesting, someone subversive, but the book isn’t worth the slog to get there.
Okereke states she was inspired to write this based on a video, and it definitely does feel like she awkwardly took a narrative from someone else in an attempt to be unique. The ending is actually quite interesting, someone subversive, but the book isn’t worth the slog to get there.
November 9, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Makoko, the floating slum off the Lagos mainland in Nigeria. It’s fascinating to think that I grew up on the mainland yet never once visited Makoko—only glimpsed it from the bridge, wondering what life there might be like. Thanks to Chioma Okereke, I no longer have to wonder.
In Water Baby, we meet Yemoja (nicknamed “Baby”), a determined young woman who seizes every opportunity—except the ones traditionally expected of her, like marriage and motherhood. When an unexpected chance arises, she takes it boldly, using it to place Makoko firmly on the world map
In Water Baby, we meet Yemoja (nicknamed “Baby”), a determined young woman who seizes every opportunity—except the ones traditionally expected of her, like marriage and motherhood. When an unexpected chance arises, she takes it boldly, using it to place Makoko firmly on the world map
March 12, 2024
There's magic and hope, food for thought and entertaining. A complex and poignant novel that moved me and made me smile.
The power of will and dreams, how fighting for your dream can bring you to unexpected places.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The power of will and dreams, how fighting for your dream can bring you to unexpected places.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 15, 2024
The novel's prose vividly brings Makoko to life, portraying its beauty and challenges. Yemoja’s journey of resilience and self-discovery is compelling, highlighting themes of tradition, modernity, and environmental issues. The novel’s rich character development and immersive setting make it a powerful and evocative read
September 26, 2024
Wow. It’s so nice to read a book in which you know exactly where the author is describing; she did it beautifully. It was a slow start for me through the “water” part, but soon picked up. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, loved the main character and actually enjoyed the ending! I want to read it all over again.
July 16, 2025
I’m not sure how to rate a book that I really enjoy a lot while I’m reading it, but when I set it down, I don’t feel any particular urgency to get back to it. It was good. Extremely eye-opening and a powerful reminder of how many amazing things we take for granted in our every day lives.
But it took me way longer than it should have because it didn’t call me back.
But it took me way longer than it should have because it didn’t call me back.
June 8, 2025
I had to pick this one up and put it down a few times to finish it. It's very slow paced. It has some great points about the pros and cons of humanitarian efforts and does a great job discussing the setting but is definitely light on plot
October 31, 2025
The flow of this book was bizarre, dragging on far too long at points but speeding through others that deserved more time. The setting and premise was really interesting to read about but was easily frustrated with the main character.
February 1, 2026
3.5 stars!! I thought this book was good. I bought it was a good coming of age story as you saw the character growing as the reading went on. I will say that I was a little confused in some parts but overall, I liked this book.
June 19, 2024
What a heart-warming, exceptionally told story of a young woman's aspirations, coming of age and quest for meaning. Written with a touch of magical realism that is hard to come across these days.
November 25, 2024
Powerful lessons, interesting characters and an eye-opening experience ☺️
April 16, 2025
Is the grass really greener on the other side? Can acclimate to a different society? Will we be accepted for who we are? We have to play the hand we are given
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