Celebrated Nigerian poet, writer, and children’s literature advocate Mabel Segun has passed away at the age of 95. Her family confirmed her death in a statement on Thursday, expressing gratitude for her life and contributions to literature and education. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Born on February 13, 1930, in Ondo City, Segun studied English, Latin, and History at the University of Ibadan before embarking on a distinguished career as an educator, writer, and literary promoter. She authored several works across multiple genres, with her debut book, ‘My Father’s Daughter’ (1965), becoming a globally recognised text. Her writings have been translated into several languages, including German, Danish, Norwegian, and Greek.
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Segun received numerous awards, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2009 and the LNG Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2007. She also founded organisations dedicated to promoting children’s literature in Nigeria. In 2015, the Society of Young Nigerian Writers established the Mabel Segun Literary Society in her honour.
Beyond literature, Segun was also an accomplished athlete, excelling in table tennis and badminton. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
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