Helon Habila

Helon Habila Ngalabak (born 1967) is a Nigerian-American author, poet, and academic widely recognized for his poignant literary works focusing on social and political issues, particularly in Africa. He has established himself as a significant voice in contemporary African literature.Early Life and Education Helon Habila was born in 1967 in Kaltungo, Gombe State, Nigeria. He pursued his higher education at the University of Jos, where he studied English Language and Literature. Following his studies, Habila lectured for three years at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi. In 2002, he relocated to England after being awarded a Chevening Scholarship, which enabled him to attend the University of East Anglia, where he completed an MA in Creative Writing.Career Progression Habila's professional career began in academia and journalism in Nigeria. In 1999, he moved to Lagos to work for *Hints* magazine before becoming the Literary Editor for the *Vanguard* newspaper. His career gained international momentum after moving to England. He later became a notable academic in the United States, where he currently teaches creative writing as a professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. From July 2013 to June 2014, Habila served as a DAAD Fellow in Berlin, Germany.Major Achievements and Notable Works Habila’s body of work includes novels, short stories, and non-fiction, often characterized by a strong rejection of injustice, oppression, and exploitation. His major achievements and notable works include: * ***Waiting for an Angel*** **(2004):** This novel secured his international acclaim, earning him the prestigious **2003 Commonwealth Writers' Prize** in the Africa category. * ***Oil on Water*** **(2010):** A novel that was shortlisted for the 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize, the 2012 Orion Book Award, and the 2012 PEN/Open Book Award. * ***The Chibok Girls*** **(2016):** A non-fiction account concerning the 2014 kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria. * ***Travelers*** **(2019):** A novel that was shortlisted for the Grand Prix of Literary Associations 2019. * **"Love Poems":** A short story that won the **2001 Caine Prize for African Writing**.Habila has also been recognized with the 2015 Windham–Campbell Literature Prize and the 2008 Library of Virginia Literary Award for Fiction (for *Measuring Time*). He served as chair of the judging panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature.Current Status Helon Habila currently resides in the United States, where he holds a position as a professor of creative writing at George Mason University. He continues to write and contribute significantly to global literature.