For years, we’ve been sharing our recommendations for Nigerian books, music and film. This time, we asked the Chuku’s community. Six Chop-Chat-Chillers share the Nigerian reads, watches and listens they think we should know about.
Why trust their picks? They’re a pretty interesting bunch, with taste that goes well beyond our menu. And we think, after reading, you’ll agree.
ABE
Chop-Chat-Chiller since 2015 (before they'd officially launched the pop-up; they had a private event and were doing some testing and a friend of the founders invited me. Never looked back since!)
Day Job: screenwriter, director and playwright
Beyond Work: long walks, baking, cooking for the people I love, summering, watching my goddaughter grow into the most amazing little human being
Horoscope: Gemini (don’t, you all love us really)
READ
I’m Telling the Truth but I’m Lying - Bassey Ikpi
Fascinating and raw insight into living with bipolar II by a writer who first captivated me from her tweets.
LISTEN
Olufunmi - Styl-Plus
Because it always reminds me of my mum (though the suffix to her name is slightly different to the one in the lyrics of the song!)
WATCH
Super Eagles ‘96
Fantastic documentary that masterfully interweaves football and Nigeria’s ever-complicated political terrain, and how the latter impacted the Nigerian football team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics.
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Zobo Wings. Succulent, sweet, flavoursome.
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: Currently, Martin Scorsese due to a combination of having just finished watching the phenomenal documentary series Mr. Scorsese and being aware that - at 83 years old - time is not on our side if this is ever going to happen…
Ludvine
Chop-Chat-Chiller since: 2022
Day Job: Partnership manager
Beyond Work: swimming / reading / art exhibition / nail art / shopping
Horoscope: Libra
READ
We Should All Be Feminists - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A letter for everyone who aspired for a better world.
WATCH
King of Boys
I highly recommend. The performance of the leading female characters is a masterclass.
LISTEN
Skelewu - Davido
The best song to start a party and a memory of the times when we didn’t have to stretch and be a cross fit champion to dance.
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings - mouthwatering, spiced, addictive
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: I would ask Jimi Hendrix if he’d have the same life if he knew how it would end.
Chi
Chop-Chat-Chiller since: 2017/2018
Day Job: Consultant / Plantain Connoisseur
Beyond Work: Travelling, Sports, Culture
Horoscope: Sagittarius
READ
Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
It’s such a monumental book, and for me it really showed how a society can unravel through outside forces, internal divisions and people’s pride getting in the way of recognising or stopping what is happening.
LISTEN
Iskaba - Wande Coal
It’s one of those songs that instantly puts me in a good mood.
WATCH
Osuofia in London
It’s genuinely hilarious and incredibly nostalgic for me. Growing up in London, seeing Nigerian and British worlds collide on screen felt completely unique, and decades later it is still just as funny.
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Chin Chin Cheesecake - crumbly sexy goodness
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: AJ
Lami
Chop-Chat-Chiller since: 2021
Day Job: Political Consultancy
Beyond Work: Sports, Performative Reading, Songs to boogie to, Travel :)
Horoscope: Leo
READ
June 12: The Struggle For Power in Nigeria - Abraham Oshoko
The story of the 12 June 1993 presidential election in graphic novel form, one of my childhood favs and a genuinely engaging introduction to the history and politics surrounding the election.
LISTEN
IDK - Wizkid, Zlatan
Always a feature in the Spotify wrapped, my favourite Wizkid song, just a lovely smooth vibe
WATCH
Anything with Aki, Pawpaw, and Sam Loco
My Mount Rushmore for Nollywood’s best comedic actors - guaranteed laughs..
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Plantain Waffle - enjoyment, unique, devious
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: Declan Rice as a well done for the league
Zim
Chop-Chat-Chiller since: 2017
Day Job: Consultant
Beyond Work: Sports. Music. Film. Travelling. Bissap drinking.
Horoscope: Capricorn
READ
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
As a 2nd-generation Nigerian based in a Western country, there were many relatable passages in this book. It taught me a lot about identity and representation and how they differ across the world.
LISTEN
WOTOWOTO SEASONING - ODUMODUBLVCK ft Black Sheriff
ODUMODUBLVCK released his first album during my time living abroad, this song felt like a little bit of home, and was the soundtrack of my time over there. Now I'm back in the UK, the song brings back fond memories of my time over there which was my home away from home.
WATCH
Osuofia in London
It had me in stitches from laughter! Love a Nigeria x UK crossover too.
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Caramel Kuli Kuli Wings - succulent, affectionate and tender.
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: Jay-Z so that I could choose $500k in the popular Internet question “$500k or dinner with Jay-Z”.
Shai
Chop-Chat-Chiller since: 2025
Day Job: Curator
Beyond Work: Art & Exhibitions, Travelling, Martial Arts, Cities/Architecture, Music
Horoscope: Pisces
READ
My Sister, the Serial Killer - Oyin Braithwaite
I know it’s quite a BookTok-trendy one, but I genuinely enjoyed My Sister, the Serial Killer. As the big sister of three younger sisters, I’d probably bury a body for them too…
LISTEN
ATTITUDE ERA! - Natanya
Natanya just released her latest album, ATTITUDE ERA!, and I love seeing a British Nigerian pop girlie on the rise. I’m rooting for her to become one of the next big pop girlies!
WATCH
Leaving Ikorodu in 1999
I recently hosted a screening of Leaving Ikorodu in 1999 and really enjoyed getting to share it with an audience.
CHOP, CHAT, CHILL
Fave Chuku’s dish: Caramel Kuli Kuli wings - sticky, nutty, moreish
Who I’d chop, chat, chill with: Michaela Coel. I love her work and she seems genuinely hilarious, so I feel like she’d be great to chop, chat and chill with. We also went to the same school (not at the same time!), so I’d love to compare notes and have a little gossip.
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