Born Mabel Dorothy Okanima Aig-Imoukhuede on February 13, 1930, in Ondo City to Isaiah and Eunice Aig-Imoukhuede-both originally from Sabongida Ora in Edo State-Segun was a pioneering Nigerian writer, editor, and advocate for children’s literature whose influence spanned decades.
She received her early education in Edunabon and Akure before attending CMS Girls’ School,
Lagos, from 1942 to 1947. Her academic brilliance led her to the University of Ibadan, where she graduated in 1953 with a BA in English, Latin, and History.
At university, Segun served as deputy editor and advertisement manager of the University Herald. Her literary gift was quickly recognised when a short story she wrote in her final year won the inaugural Nigerian Festival of the Arts Literature Prize in 1954.
Mabel Segun’s literary contributions were vast and impactful. She authored, co-authored, and edited 11 children’s books, among them are the beloved autobiographical works: My Father’s Daughter and My Mother’s Daughter, which have been widely studied in Nigerian and international universities.
Her works have been featured in over 30 anthologies, both in Nigeria and abroad, and translated into multiple languages, including German, Danish, Norwegian, Greek, and Serbo-Croat. Two of her children’s books have also been translated into Swahili and Arabic.
Segun’s influence on Nigerian literature remains profound. Her pioneering efforts in children’s literature, poetry, prose, and essays cemented her status as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated female writers. Her legacy endures through her works, the institutions she founded, and the countless writers she inspired.
Mabel Dorothy Okanima Segun (née Aig-Imoukhuede) passed away in the early hours of Thursday, March 6, 2025. She was 95.
Source; HistoryVille
