Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Lives

Need to laugh? Get down and ready the story of baba Segi’s wives.

When it comes to rib cracking, funny novels, I can’t think of any, written in the recent past, than The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. This 2010 novel by Lola Shoneyin is the story of Baba Segi, a successful plumb businessman – whose way of releasing tension is draining his bowels – as it is the story of his wives, who are known by the names of their first children. There is Iya (Mama) Segi, the first wife and mother hen of the home, who protects and provides for everyone, Iya (mama) Tope, the second and most jealous wife and Iya (Mama) Femi, the third. 

The three have lived together, and while jealous of each other, as is won’t to happen in such a set up, they seem to have found ways of surviving, even thriving. Amid the rivalry, the three women are able to take care of their collective seven children admirably well, and by use of craft, wit and tricks, each has devised a formula of getting that extra night with Baba Segi, on top of his strict schedule of which day he spends the night with which wife.

Baba Segi is the envy of everyone: successful in business, very successful in maintaining peace amongst his several wives, and what’s more, he easily, and generously provides to his entire brood, which never lack. 

Perhaps the only thing Baba Segi was missing is an educated wife, a wife with a University Degree. But Baba Segi is a go-getter, and he successfully convinces Bolanle, a fresh graduate to become his fourth wife, against the wishes of her parents, and against the advice of her friends. But drama starts when Bolanle takes too long to get Baba Segi a child, something Baba Segi has evidently never struggled with. There must be a problem with Bolanle. The journey to look for a baby starts, a journey that leads to a reluctant Baba Segi agreeing to go see a gynecologist. These visits are so funny; you will be left in stitches, especially when Baba Segi is asked to provide some samples.

In between the search for a baby, Lola gives us a front row view of the constant feuds between the women, and how this affects the children, the love and hate within the family, the betrayal and deceit, and more importantly, the transgressions the women commit against Baba Segi behind his back.  One of his children gets entangled in the cross hairs of the feuds between the wives, and while this ends tragically, the real bombshell is the revelation of the secrets the wives held against to Baba Segi, that almost brings down the family.

Lola effortlessly takes us though all these deep emotions due to her ability to tell the story humorously, and uses flashback severally to build the backstory that led to the women finding themselves married to Baba Segi, and why Baba Segi could easily sire children with his first three wives, bust struggled with Bolanle.

For Sh 1,500, you can grab your copy from Text Book Centre, Bookstop, Prestige Books, or Rafu  Books. You will never regret getting this book.