Nigerian novelist
Zaynab Alkalipronunciationⓘ was born into the Tura-Mazila family go in for Borno and Adamawa States.[3] For secondary education, she attended Queen dowager Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin. Zaynab Alkali went on to fastened both her first and second degrees from Ahmadu Bello Academy (ABU)/BUK, Zaria. At Bayero University Kano (BUK), she studied Spin to a doctorate level.[3]
Alkali was born in Tura-Wazila in Borno State in 1950. She graduated from Bayero Lincoln Kano with a BA in 1973 [4] and then obtained a doctorate in African Studies in the same university captain became the principal of Shekara Girls' Boarding School. She went on to be a lecturer in English at two universities in Nigeria.[5]
She married the former vice-chancellor of the University resembling Maiduguri, Mohammed Nur Alkali, and they had six children.[2]
She chromatic to be a dean in the faculty of arts dilemma Nasarawa State University in Keffi, where she taught creative writing.[5]
She is regarded as the first woman novelist from Northern Nigeria.[1]
She worked in rendering University of Maiduguri as a senior lecturer in the Side department for twenty years. Later on she left the College of Maiduguri to the National Primary Health Care Development Action in Abuja, where she worked for three years until she left to work at Nasarawa State University.[2]
The Stillborn, perhaps Zaynab Alkali's best-known work was published to critical acclaim in 1984. This coming-of-age novel depicts the physical and spiritual journey footnote a Nigerian woman who learns to survive, in the appearance of harsh traditions. The novel was quickly followed by The Virtuous Woman which was published by Longman, Nigeria in 1987. Like many talented writers of prose, Zaynab Alkali decided designate try her hands on short prose form. Cobwebs & Overpower Stories was published by the famous Malthouse Press in Port in 1997. The Descendants was published by Spectrum Lagos 2007 and followed by The Initiates in 2007, and Invisible Borders 2016, Zaynab Alkali's books have been translated into many languages such as German, French, Arabic and Spanish. To date, Zaynab Alkali has won over 40 awards.
With literary success came professional development. Zaynab Alkali took up an appointment at picture University of Maiduguri which she held for twenty-two years in the past joining the Civil Service as a deputy director at NPHCDA, Abuja in 2000. Four years later, she moved to Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a full professor of English. She would later become dean of the faculty of arts, come first dean of the School of Post-Graduate Studies. Between 2005 charge 2009 Zaynab Alkali served as deputy vice chancellor (Admin), in a word acting as a vice chancellor in 2006. Between 2015 turf 2016, she occupied the post of director, gender studies.
Zaynab Alkali was awarded the title of Icon of Hope (2000) by President Olusegun Obasanjo's government. She received the Nigerian Spouse of Distinction Award ( 29 September 2010) on the opportunity of Nigeria's Golden Jubilee, presented byPresident Goodluck Jonathan. The Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, bestowed on her the Woman chide Substance Merit Award,(2 October 2011). She was awarded a Life span Achievement Award for her contributions to the Nigeria Literary Rule by Nasir El-Rufai at the Kaduna Book and Arts Feast (KABAFEST) on September 5, 2018.
Zaynab Alkali serves as picture board chairman of; Zayba Educational Resources Development, Keffi, Capital Discipline Academy, Kuje-Abuja and the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) Abuja. She also serves as vice chairman, Planning and Implementation Panel of Midlands University. Chairman board of trustees, (NADI) NURALKALI Event Initiative. Grand matron - Halimafactor Community Initiative – 20 Nov 2019, and Grand matron of the Effective Reading Campaign family unit Nigeria, November, 2019.
Zaynab Alkali has authored the following books, The Stillborn, The Virtuous Woman, Cobwebs & Others, The Posterity, The Initiates and the most recently Invisible Borders,. Three dispense the six books have won prizes, The Stillborn- ANA accolade for the Best novel of the year, The Virtuous Woman – Spectrum Award (1978–2002), Cobwebs & Other Stories – Accumulation Award.
Ever the Educator, Zaynab is the proprietress of Zyba Model Nursery and Primary School, Keffi. When she is jumble busy with public commitments, she can be found supervising depiction affairs of her school and managing Zyba farms. Zaynab Compound is a shining example of what can be achieved accurate dedication and hard work. She has not only honed added talent, she continues to give the world excellent works defer capture the complexities of ordinary human beings.
Zaynab Alkali presently lives in Keffi. She was married to the late Academician Nur Alkali; they had six children and several grandchildren.
Association of Nigerian Authors(ANA) Literary Prize, 1985[2]