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Authentic Mama
Paulina Omoregbe aka Iye Baby rules the night life of Nimbe town from her beer parlour with her magic touch and society connections. In spite of the constant dramas from fighting wives and jealous friends, she has succeeded in creating a good life for herself as a socialite and the President of the Imose Sisters Association of Accomplished and Distinguished Ladies. Her life is however thrown into commotion when a business deal goes bad, ushering her on to a downward spiral of confusion, disappointment and disaster. Can she overcome these challenges as she once did and create a new and better life for herself? This is a hilarious satire chronicling the lives of local mistresses and their hustle. This book will make you laugh and shake your head at the ridiculous reality of some people.
- GenresFiction
148 pages, Paperback
Published June 13, 2024
12 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 26, 2022
EDIT: Initially, I didn't give this book a star-rating, because I felt like I would be doing the author a disservice, but I think now that the reverse is the case.
I like to support new authors, I especially like to support new, African authors who have not yet attained celebrity status, and it seems that there are publishers in Nigeria who want to do the same. That is laudable and I am behind this movement. I know most of us my age read American and British books growing up, with characters and experiences we could not fully relate to, so I am glad that is changing now. HOWEVER, just because a book is authored by a Nigerian/African, it doesn’t mean it is automatically ready to be published.
This book gave me a headache. I don’t know if no one proofread or spellchecked it, but there were so many missing punctuation marks, my eyes crossed over trying to separate multiple sentences that had been grouped together without a full-stop, comma or semi-colon. There were also missing words that made reading jumpy and clumsy. For instance, on page 9, someone did something “as a respect” to someone else, as opposed to “as a mark of respect”. Then later in the book, I saw Taibat went to eat at BBC’s restaurant “e week” which I am guessing is supposed to be “every week”. Then at some point, the word “leachy” was used to describe a character who refused to work but survived by seducing women and alternatively begging or stealing from them. I checked the dictionary and the only definition of the word “leachy” I found was
adj,
(of soils) capable of being permeated by water
Did the author not have access to a dictionary? What exactly was she trying to say?
When I had resigned myself to the fact that no one spell-checked or grammar-checked this book, I tried to focus on the characters. That didn’t help. They were all caricatures and stereotypes and not in a meaningful or thought-provoking way. According to this book,'
• all (female) prostitutes are generous heroines who only entered the trade because 1)trauma and poverty and 2) wives don’t know how to satisfy their husbands
• all Christian married women are hypocrites who illogically hate the prostitutes who have sex with their husbands, but secretly want to be them (I guess?)
• All men without exception are hungry sex animals controlled by their penises and genetically incapable of telling the truth or treating women with respect EXCEPT the white man, of course.
Speaking of the white man, this Mr. Holloway character from an unidentifiable white country overseas really irked me. First of all, on what planet does a British or American passport holder (I am going to randomly assume he was from one of these two) end up in a Nigerian prison for ANY REASON, legitimate or not? A good percentage of the white people in this country are cutting shady deals all over the damn place, and all we do is hail them and if you’re lucky enough to be in the top-tiers of government, get your own slice of the deal. Even if some radical judge wanted to scapegoat a white person and put them in jail, it would cause a media frenzy and their respective governments or embassies would get involved and the man would be released and returned to his country within a week at most. So that aspect of the narrative was silly at best. The fact that Mr. Holloway showed up at the end to be Paulina’s white saviour just irritated me.
I think that the premise of this book was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. Most parts of Nigeria demonize divorced women, single mothers and prostitutes, fetishize marriage and virginity and give way too much power and prestige to irresponsible men. So I think this topic was very relevant. But the story played out like a bad Nollywood movie without nuance (you know, those ones from the 2000’s with parts one through five) with one-dimensional characters and an overly-simplistic plot. The only thing missing was “To God be the Glory” at the end.
One more thing: what was the point of locating the story in a fictional city/town when this story could easily have happened in Lagos or Port Harcourt?
Kudos to the author for writing a book in flawless pidgin though.
I like to support new authors, I especially like to support new, African authors who have not yet attained celebrity status, and it seems that there are publishers in Nigeria who want to do the same. That is laudable and I am behind this movement. I know most of us my age read American and British books growing up, with characters and experiences we could not fully relate to, so I am glad that is changing now. HOWEVER, just because a book is authored by a Nigerian/African, it doesn’t mean it is automatically ready to be published.
This book gave me a headache. I don’t know if no one proofread or spellchecked it, but there were so many missing punctuation marks, my eyes crossed over trying to separate multiple sentences that had been grouped together without a full-stop, comma or semi-colon. There were also missing words that made reading jumpy and clumsy. For instance, on page 9, someone did something “as a respect” to someone else, as opposed to “as a mark of respect”. Then later in the book, I saw Taibat went to eat at BBC’s restaurant “e week” which I am guessing is supposed to be “every week”. Then at some point, the word “leachy” was used to describe a character who refused to work but survived by seducing women and alternatively begging or stealing from them. I checked the dictionary and the only definition of the word “leachy” I found was
adj,
(of soils) capable of being permeated by water
Did the author not have access to a dictionary? What exactly was she trying to say?
When I had resigned myself to the fact that no one spell-checked or grammar-checked this book, I tried to focus on the characters. That didn’t help. They were all caricatures and stereotypes and not in a meaningful or thought-provoking way. According to this book,'
• all (female) prostitutes are generous heroines who only entered the trade because 1)trauma and poverty and 2) wives don’t know how to satisfy their husbands
• all Christian married women are hypocrites who illogically hate the prostitutes who have sex with their husbands, but secretly want to be them (I guess?)
• All men without exception are hungry sex animals controlled by their penises and genetically incapable of telling the truth or treating women with respect EXCEPT the white man, of course.
Speaking of the white man, this Mr. Holloway character from an unidentifiable white country overseas really irked me. First of all, on what planet does a British or American passport holder (I am going to randomly assume he was from one of these two) end up in a Nigerian prison for ANY REASON, legitimate or not? A good percentage of the white people in this country are cutting shady deals all over the damn place, and all we do is hail them and if you’re lucky enough to be in the top-tiers of government, get your own slice of the deal. Even if some radical judge wanted to scapegoat a white person and put them in jail, it would cause a media frenzy and their respective governments or embassies would get involved and the man would be released and returned to his country within a week at most. So that aspect of the narrative was silly at best. The fact that Mr. Holloway showed up at the end to be Paulina’s white saviour just irritated me.
I think that the premise of this book was interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. Most parts of Nigeria demonize divorced women, single mothers and prostitutes, fetishize marriage and virginity and give way too much power and prestige to irresponsible men. So I think this topic was very relevant. But the story played out like a bad Nollywood movie without nuance (you know, those ones from the 2000’s with parts one through five) with one-dimensional characters and an overly-simplistic plot. The only thing missing was “To God be the Glory” at the end.
One more thing: what was the point of locating the story in a fictional city/town when this story could easily have happened in Lagos or Port Harcourt?
Kudos to the author for writing a book in flawless pidgin though.
November 13, 2025
Hilarious book to pass the time! I enjoyed it immensely. About Iye baby, a middle aged prostitute who also ran a local bar.
Well told with loads of funny scenes. Authentically Nigerian.
I recommend if you want a good laugh 😆
Well told with loads of funny scenes. Authentically Nigerian.
I recommend if you want a good laugh 😆
April 28, 2016
This book is simply entertaining. I've always wondered what life is like for people I've never really interacted with on a personal basis: bus conductors, lorry drivers, the women who run Mama puts and beer parlors etc. So, for me this story was a treat. Iye Baby is a flawed but vivacious protagonist who is at the same time unrefined and gracious. There is also a steady cast of side characters whose chaotic lives in Nimbe are often as hilarious as they are sad. As the book ends, it has some great insights into how small our world view can be until we get a change of perspective.
September 28, 2018
Welcome to the slums of Nimbe and into the life of Paulina Omorogbe better known as Iye Baby. A curvilicious woman who was once married to a rich man older than her with whom she had had three children prior to him throwing her out because he had fallen in love with a younger girl. With a little help from her childhood friend, Iye Baby masters the art of seduction. Prostitution becomes her bread providing job and the only way for her to afford her children school fees or her enormous Sunday tithes. But making a living by satisfying the lusty thoughts and fantasies other people husbands ain't always easy. What about the other characters in this novel ? Each one of them made this story so enjoyable. This book is really entertaining, I will recommend you read it after a very dense one. It will make you laugh, wonder and improve your pidgin because Iye Baby ain't got time for your queen's English.
March 7, 2018
Pauli, Paulina, Pauline or Iye Baby for what it’s worth had a good heart.
When a book begins with “Na condition make crayfish to bend” expect it to be entertaining.
There were a few typographical errors that could have been avoided.
When a book begins with “Na condition make crayfish to bend” expect it to be entertaining.
There were a few typographical errors that could have been avoided.
January 16, 2025
I didn’t like this book at all. And I bought it because I wanted to get back into Nigerian literature, but I didn’t enjoy this particular book at all. However, my favorite character was fine girl she didn’t let her environment affect her values and morales and I admire that.
October 9, 2018
Great story
I just love the story... In life, we are so quick to judge. As weak as Iye baby was, she had her areas of strength. I can relate very much with this story.
I just love the story... In life, we are so quick to judge. As weak as Iye baby was, she had her areas of strength. I can relate very much with this story.
December 11, 2018
Love it
Love this book. It takes me back to the barracks, the canteen, mami market or the gist that comes to us without notice lol. Enjoyed reading this book....
Love this book. It takes me back to the barracks, the canteen, mami market or the gist that comes to us without notice lol. Enjoyed reading this book....
September 9, 2025
Paulina Omoregbe, better known as Iye Baby, is the reigning queen of Nimbe town’s nightlife. From her beer parlour, she controls the scene with her magic touch, social connections, and the prestige of leading the Imose Sisters Association of Accomplished and Distinguished Ladies.
But when a business deal goes bad, her carefully built world unravels into chaos, betrayal, and disaster. Can she bounce back as she’s always done, or will this be the end of her reign?
Authentic Mama is a witty, dramatic, and hilarious satire that peels back the layers of society, exposing the messy realities of mistresses, jealous friends, and the never-ending hustle. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and bound to make you laugh while shaking your head at just how close fiction can come to reality.
My thoughts: Bold, loud, and unfiltered this is a Nigerian story told with spice and drama from start to finish.
But when a business deal goes bad, her carefully built world unravels into chaos, betrayal, and disaster. Can she bounce back as she’s always done, or will this be the end of her reign?
Authentic Mama is a witty, dramatic, and hilarious satire that peels back the layers of society, exposing the messy realities of mistresses, jealous friends, and the never-ending hustle. It’s entertaining, thought-provoking, and bound to make you laugh while shaking your head at just how close fiction can come to reality.
My thoughts: Bold, loud, and unfiltered this is a Nigerian story told with spice and drama from start to finish.
July 22, 2025
Iye baby reminded me of Ife from Ginika’s bridesmaids, just a little older. The pidgin was hard for me to read. I’m glad it wasn’t dragged and it was kind of a short read. Now I think Iye baby was a good woman, albeit she had her flaws. Was she a good mother ? Yes. I think she did her best then it’s left for the kids to be smart themselves. Baby was just a fool, her brother was also a fool, I guess they took after their useless father. Baby was just a fool. I pity Evangeline because she was groomed and deceived by a fool. I think some characters were too entitled and that annoyed me. Oyibo was a bittered soul. I love how the author put light on those judgy christians.They were hypocrites doing Holier than thou meanwhile they were doing worse behind closed doors and I love how Iye baby’s sins didn’t stop her from going to church and donating to the community and the church
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2025
Authentic Mama by Olunowen Louisa Ibhaze
From the very first page, this book throws you straight into the middle of a chaotic, entertaining, and drama-laden world.
The vivid descriptions and lively dialogue bring the characters to life, making them feel real and relatable, even when they’re at their most outrageous. lye Baby, creates a setting that feels both hilarious and painfully authentic. The humor is sharp, the drama is relentless, and the pacing is fast.
One thing that stood out is the natural flow of conversations. The clashes, the back and forth insults, and the banter make for an engaging read. It’s the kind of book that feels like you’re watching a Nollywood drama unfold, it’s messy, dramatic, and absolutely entertaining.
From the very first page, this book throws you straight into the middle of a chaotic, entertaining, and drama-laden world.
The vivid descriptions and lively dialogue bring the characters to life, making them feel real and relatable, even when they’re at their most outrageous. lye Baby, creates a setting that feels both hilarious and painfully authentic. The humor is sharp, the drama is relentless, and the pacing is fast.
One thing that stood out is the natural flow of conversations. The clashes, the back and forth insults, and the banter make for an engaging read. It’s the kind of book that feels like you’re watching a Nollywood drama unfold, it’s messy, dramatic, and absolutely entertaining.
November 27, 2025
I feel a tad resentful of all the reviews that called this hilarious and FOMO'd me into getting this book. I found the story too meandering and all over the place, chockful with stereotypes straight out of Nollywood in its prime.
That would not have been a problem though, if I had been entertained. On the contrary, I found myself annoyed and at times bored.
Good for Paulina and her happy ending.
Not good for me and the irritation I'm left with.
That would not have been a problem though, if I had been entertained. On the contrary, I found myself annoyed and at times bored.
Good for Paulina and her happy ending.
Not good for me and the irritation I'm left with.
November 7, 2019
I wanted to like this book, and it was a page turner. Loved the dialogue and the ways in which the main character is shown in her complexity, and even how sex work is talked about and written at times. However, it got too savior—ish in time at times especially in the last half of the book, and that felt like a disservice to the power and strength of Baby Iye.
March 24, 2024
I think there is a book for every type of reader and for every mood. I dont think the author set out for the book to be an intellectual read, it is just what it is, a feel good book to make you laugh.
So if it is not what you are looking for, that's fine. But it was a delightful read and the plot was perfect for the audience that the author wrote it for. Weldone Olunosen.
So if it is not what you are looking for, that's fine. But it was a delightful read and the plot was perfect for the audience that the author wrote it for. Weldone Olunosen.
December 7, 2020
“Na condition why make crayfish bend” with this proverb ushering me into this book, I expected it to be a good read and fortunately, I wasn’t disappointed.
The book is filled with funny characters and hilarious scenes.
It’s a quick and enjoyable read
The book is filled with funny characters and hilarious scenes.
It’s a quick and enjoyable read
January 1, 2020
Na condition dey make crayfish bend o....this slogan is very true in this wonderful book...it explores a lot of situations that happens daily to everyone in one way or the other
January 26, 2020
Loved this book. So dramatic and hilarious. Relatable characters.
And the ending was so heartwarming.
And the ending was so heartwarming.
April 2, 2020
I loved Paulina aka Iye Baby, what a character:)
this book had me laughing,smiling and at some point,i was teary.
this book had me laughing,smiling and at some point,i was teary.
June 4, 2020
Really fun read :)
April 26, 2024
3.5 stars!
An amusing read! My favorite character without a doubt is Fine Girl. I would love to see a movie adaptation of this.🥰
An amusing read! My favorite character without a doubt is Fine Girl. I would love to see a movie adaptation of this.🥰
April 14, 2025
Loved the ending. I am so happy for Iye Baby
May 31, 2025
Its a light entertaining read... nothing too heavy or serious. If your looking for a funny laughable book then this is it. I enjoyed it!
July 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ First line got me hooked. But as i kept reading I wasn’t hooked. Then the book picked up again. Authentic mama is an interesting read. I loved how the book ended.
January 16, 2026
Light hearted read. I loved how flawed the characters were. It made me appreciate their growth even more.
October 22, 2025
4.5⭐
Book review, but make it Pidgin Language. 👇
I don later read dis book oo!!! 😂 Omo, na so so cinema with katakata full am, and true true ehn, e reach make pipo blow e trumpet. Ma Louisa, u try well well for dis one; make una helep me sama am wit tiri gbosa... ✊
For dis tori, we meet d woman wey b d main actor, Iye Baby. Iye Baby na beta woman, but d only issue b say, her lifestyle no pure. She get beer parlour and she b d leader for d women association. Dis Iye Baby so don get many many quanta wit d wives of d men wey she de service. D women for d church wey she de go don drag am well well like Tiger gen, upon say she de helep dier ministry oo. World pipo! Iye Baby no really send dem; she still de do good give dem. Time come reach wen Iye Baby loose everything wey she don work for. Na dis point soap komot from her eyes; she come later change her ways.
I enjoy dis book well well oo, no be small. 😂 I like Iye Baby oo, but I no put hand for her lifestyle. Eh, I no fit blame am because, she see 99 before she start her runs business. Na later, saw-dust komot from her eyes, wey come make am fit mant her ground. I thank God say she later bag beta man.
Den dis guy wey b Sweet Banana, na crase person. 😭😂 Wit d way dem yan about am for d book, my medulla click say he no b am. I come de wonder how women take de beef each oda ontop he mata, before I read say he get beta third leg (IYKYK). 😂😂
Dat Baby (Iye Baby pikin) and Octavius wedding parti na d part wey I like pass for d tori. 😂 D fight wey burst eh, no be small one. I no come know why d yeye Baby go align wit Octavius (name be like Mathematical problem). 🤣 And he mama and Iye Baby na konk enemies oo; una de see wahala so?
Long and short, dis tori na about woman wey de try to survive, and rewrite her past. E go make oda women, like Iye Baby, know say dem no de alone. E de raw, real and funny. Na beta book wey I know say many pipo go like; e no too many, so no be stress.
Book review, but make it Pidgin Language. 👇
I don later read dis book oo!!! 😂 Omo, na so so cinema with katakata full am, and true true ehn, e reach make pipo blow e trumpet. Ma Louisa, u try well well for dis one; make una helep me sama am wit tiri gbosa... ✊
For dis tori, we meet d woman wey b d main actor, Iye Baby. Iye Baby na beta woman, but d only issue b say, her lifestyle no pure. She get beer parlour and she b d leader for d women association. Dis Iye Baby so don get many many quanta wit d wives of d men wey she de service. D women for d church wey she de go don drag am well well like Tiger gen, upon say she de helep dier ministry oo. World pipo! Iye Baby no really send dem; she still de do good give dem. Time come reach wen Iye Baby loose everything wey she don work for. Na dis point soap komot from her eyes; she come later change her ways.
I enjoy dis book well well oo, no be small. 😂 I like Iye Baby oo, but I no put hand for her lifestyle. Eh, I no fit blame am because, she see 99 before she start her runs business. Na later, saw-dust komot from her eyes, wey come make am fit mant her ground. I thank God say she later bag beta man.
Den dis guy wey b Sweet Banana, na crase person. 😭😂 Wit d way dem yan about am for d book, my medulla click say he no b am. I come de wonder how women take de beef each oda ontop he mata, before I read say he get beta third leg (IYKYK). 😂😂
Dat Baby (Iye Baby pikin) and Octavius wedding parti na d part wey I like pass for d tori. 😂 D fight wey burst eh, no be small one. I no come know why d yeye Baby go align wit Octavius (name be like Mathematical problem). 🤣 And he mama and Iye Baby na konk enemies oo; una de see wahala so?
Long and short, dis tori na about woman wey de try to survive, and rewrite her past. E go make oda women, like Iye Baby, know say dem no de alone. E de raw, real and funny. Na beta book wey I know say many pipo go like; e no too many, so no be stress.
May 15, 2020
Iye baby!!! Pauline pauline!!
September 13, 2025
Where do I even start? This book has layers! So many that you just want to peel them back slowly, and immerse yourself in each one.
It highlights very important societal issues: prostitution, pedophilia, early child marriage, sexual abuse, domestic violence, cheating… the list goes on.
I have never annotated a book as much as I did this one. At some point, I even wondered if I was annotating “right” because there was just so much to unpack. Every chapter was fresh, intense, full of surprises, and I loved it!
Iye Baby’s character was beautifully written! Even though I was so mad at her for making some foolish decisions. Because this is Iye Baby! A whole authentic mama and she let a man deceive her 😩
And the plot itself? Pure chaos, in the best way possible. There were moments when I felt lost, unsure if I was in the past, present, or future because so many events were happening at once. But once I caught up, I was hooked.
Authentic Mama is a bold and chaotic book, brimming with important conversations, the kind you can’t help but want to discuss. And the author delivers it in such an engaging way that the topics never feel heavy or dull.
I honestly don’t have anything bad to say. It was such a good read for me. 💯
It highlights very important societal issues: prostitution, pedophilia, early child marriage, sexual abuse, domestic violence, cheating… the list goes on.
I have never annotated a book as much as I did this one. At some point, I even wondered if I was annotating “right” because there was just so much to unpack. Every chapter was fresh, intense, full of surprises, and I loved it!
Iye Baby’s character was beautifully written! Even though I was so mad at her for making some foolish decisions. Because this is Iye Baby! A whole authentic mama and she let a man deceive her 😩
And the plot itself? Pure chaos, in the best way possible. There were moments when I felt lost, unsure if I was in the past, present, or future because so many events were happening at once. But once I caught up, I was hooked.
Authentic Mama is a bold and chaotic book, brimming with important conversations, the kind you can’t help but want to discuss. And the author delivers it in such an engaging way that the topics never feel heavy or dull.
I honestly don’t have anything bad to say. It was such a good read for me. 💯
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews