Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Ngozi Adichie fans. Speculation had been rife that the author of Americanah is about to announce her retirement from all public activities, at age 48, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/05/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an author isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an author just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouChimamanda

For a little while on Wednesday evening, #ThankYouChimamanda was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was unlike any other author we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouChimamanda”
— @universalObserver, 20 May 2026

“I thought Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 20 May 2026

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