Satire as Postcolonial Critique: National Disillusionment and Rhetoric in Chuma Nwokolo’s How to spell Naija Volume 2

Abstract

This paper interrogates satire as a tool of postcolonial critique in Chuma Nwokolo’s How to Spell Naija Volume 2. By situating satire within African literary traditions from oral to contemporary forms, the study examines how Nwokolo employs humour, irony, and parody to expose societal dysfunctions in Nigeria. Drawing on postcolonial and rhetorical theories, the paper foregrounds satire as both a literary and socio-political weapon for addressing issues of religious hypocrisy, materialism, corruption, and national disillusionment. Through close readings of selected short stories such as “Godforaday”, “Re-vision”, “Tansi & Banker”, and “We Have Been Paid to Kill You”, the study highlights Nwokolo’s strategies in depicting the contradictions of modern Nigerian society. These narratives ridicule the excesses of politicians, clergy, and everyday citizens, revealing how institutional and individual corruption intersects with social inequality. The analysis underscores satire as a corrective and purgative force, reflecting the tradition of African writers who deploy literature as a social conscience. Ultimately, Nwokolo’s satirical art exemplifies how postcolonial writers interrogate failed leadership, cultural disillusionment, and moral decay, while reinforcing the enduring role of literature in shaping public discourse and national self-examination.

Keywords: Postcolonial, Satire, Rhetoric, Disillusionment, Nigeria