A Man of the People A Man of the People and 1960s Nigeria

While Chinua Achebe's larger body of work is a direct political commentary on Nigeria—his country of origin—A Man of the People is set in an unnamed African country in order to make a broader comment on the post-colonial struggles across the continent. A Man of the People is a satire, and understanding the political climate of Nigeria in the 1960s is essential to the novel's greater meaning. In 1960, Nigeria was freed from colonial influence and ruled under Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. During his reign, workers in rural regions began to notice the large discrepancies between their village lifestyles and the lifestyles of the politicians in Lagos. This resulted in a nationwide strike in June 1964. During the national elections in 1964, many dissenters of the political regime were murdered for their beliefs. Additionally, there was global concern and pressure due to Europe's continual economic stake in African resources. This mounting pressure culminated in the military coup d'état in January 1966. A Man of the People was published just a few days before the coup. For this reason, Achebe's novel has been considered "prophetic." Given this contextualization, Achebe can be recognized as an astute observer of his nation's political situation. He speaks to the importance of artists and intellectuals during times of political unrest. Achebe was able to see the patterns and systematic abuses of power and formulate a poignant and prescient commentary.