Abstract
Adamu Kyuka Usman’s Bivan’s House
offers a rich narrative framework for examining the socio-political
complexities of post-colonial Nigeria. This study explores the novel through the
lens of postcolonial theory and focuses on the interconnected themes of
corruption, power, and resistance. It investigates how the enduring structures
and ideological legacies of colonial rule continue to shape governance, social
relations, and cultural consciousness in contemporary Nigerian society. Through
a critical analysis of the novel’s characters, symbolism, and narrative
strategies, the study demonstrates how Usman exposes the pervasive corruption,
political opportunism, and institutional decay that characterise the Nigerian post-colonial
state. The novel portrays a society deeply affected by the aftereffects of
colonial administration, where systemic inefficiencies and entrenched power
structures undermine the pursuit of equitable governance and sustainable
development. The paper argues that resistance in Bivan’s House extends
beyond direct opposition to oppressive institutions to include the struggle
against internalised colonial attitudes and practices that sustain injustice
and social inequality. By presenting characters who confront these conditions
in different ways, Usman foregrounds the moral and psychological tensions
involved in negotiating postcolonial realities. His narrative also employs
satire, metaphor, and irony to critique the contradictions of political
leadership and the complicity of social actors in sustaining corruption.
Ultimately, the novel offers a profound reflection on the challenges of ethical
leadership, social justice, and national transformation in post-colonial
societies. This study contributes to ongoing scholarly debates in postcolonial
literary studies by situating Bivan’s House within broader discussions
of colonial afterlives, governance crises, and the quest for agency and reform
in contemporary African societies.
Keywords:Postcolonialism;
corruption; power and governance; resistance; colonial legacy
DOI: 10.36349/alqajolls.2026.v01i02.020
author/Atouoto KERKER PhD & Terlumun KEREKAA PhD
journal/AL-QALAM JLLS 1(2) | June 2026
