Mabel Segun, Nigerian literary icon, renowned for her contributions to poetry, playwright, and children’s literature has died at 95. Born in 1930 in Ondo City, Nigeria, Segun’s creative journey was influenced by her family, including her father, a writer-historian, and her siblings, who were also involved in creative pursuits.
A press release issued by the family reads: “It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent in the pursuit of excellence in literature, broadcasting and sports that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (nee Aig-Imoukhuede) in the early hours of the March 6th 2025.”
Segun’s literary career spanned multiple genres, including poetry, drama, and children’s literature. Her first book, “My Father’s Daughter,” published in 1965, is a classic text widely used as a literature text in schools worldwide. She had also written several other notable works, including “Under the Mango Tree” (1979), “Youth Day Parade” (1984), and “Rhapsody: A Celebration of Nigerian Cooking and Food Culture” (2007).
Mabel Segun had a notable stint with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). She was a pioneering broadcaster and presenter on NTA, where she worked from 1959 to 1963.
During her time at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Segun hosted several popular programmes, including a children’s television series. Her experience in broadcasting shaped her skills as a communicator and educator, which she later applied to her writing and advocacy work.
Segun’s contributions to NTA were significant, as she was one of the first women to work in Nigerian television. Her pioneering work paved the way for future generations of women in broadcasting and the media.
Her career was well decorated and she had received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to Nigerian literature. She was a joint winner of the NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2007 for her book “Readers’ Theatre.” In 2009, she received the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for her lifetime achievements.”
Segun’s impact on Nigerian literature extends beyond her own writing. She had been a champion of children’s literature, founding the Children’s Literature Association of Nigeria in 1978 and establishing the Children’s Documentation and Research Centre in 1990.
Segun was also a talented athlete who represented Nigeria in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, competing in the 4×100 meters relay event. She was one of the first Nigerian women to participate in the Olympics.
Segun’s athletic career was marked by her determination and passion for sports, which paved the way for future generations of Nigerian female athletes. Although she is more widely recognised for her literary achievements, her contributions to sports are still celebrated as an important part of her legacy and Nigeria’s history.
