IndiaDamilare Kuku's 2021 short story collection 'Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad' explores the chaotic romantic landscape of Lagos, Nigeria, focusing on the experiences of cisgender women in heterosexual relationships. The stories depict men across different backgrounds, cheating pastors, mama’s boys, gay men, and 'alpha' white men, who engage in risky behaviors for financial gain or sexual satisfaction. Women navigate these challenges with varying degrees of resilience, often finding ways to cope within compromised situations. The collection highlights themes of emotional manipulation, societal expectations, and the universal nature of male unpredictability, suggesting that regardless of race or class, men in Lagos exhibit similar patterns of behavior. Stories such as 'The Anointed Wife' and 'Òdè–Pus Complex' illustrate the complexities of relationships where women confront both personal and familial pressures.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through a feminist lens, emphasizing the systemic challenges faced by women in Nigerian society. While it does not overtly criticize government policies, it implicitly critiques cultural norms and gender dynamics that perpetuate inequality. The focus on women's agency in
