Biography and Memoirs

One Boy! is an emotionally charged-and at times even humorous-coming-of-age story. In his debut work of creative non-fiction, Benjamin Maiangwa draws readers into the world of a boy navigating the space between youthful innocence and the harsh realities of a Catholic boarding school in Nigeria. Maiangwa's journey unfolds across a landscape shaped by the fragility of friendship, loss, and the urgent search for self. As he matures within the strict confines of the boarding school and the religious hostilities of the outside world, he arrives at a moral crossroads: should he uphold the Christian virtue of forgiveness or yield to the seductive pull of revenge? One Boy! is both a story of survival and a meditation on what it means to remain whole in a world that so often seems designed to break us. We were about eighty-five new students. The seniors who lingered nearby kept a watchful eye on us. They were weighing us as though we were livestock being auctioned at a farmer's market. They were waiting for our parents to entrust us to their care as school sons. The seniors present displayed a cheerful demeanour, a suave politeness that struck me as promising on this first day. It felt like a hopeful herald of an auspicious future for us in this new world. Benjamin Maiangwa is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Lakehead University. He was also a 2021 Teaching Fellow at Durham University. He received the 2020 University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Award. He is the author of The Crisis of Belonging and Ethnographies of Peacebuilding and editor of The Paradox(es) of Diasporic Identity, Race, and Belonging. One Boy! is his first work of creative non-fiction. One Boy by Benjamin Maiangwa is a raw memoir of life in a Catholic boarding school in Nigeria, where he navigates sectarian divides, personal conflict, and the contradictions of faith, identity, and friendship in a world that felt both sacred and deeply hostile. Benjamin Maiangwa's memoir of youth and Catholic schooling in Zaria, Nigeria, is a passionate account of childhood and religious education. The story is told with humor and sensitivity-of friendships made and lost, and the occasional triumphs of growing up in the frequently harsh environment of St Joseph's Minor Seminary. The memoir radiates life and hope and is told with great commitment and love. One Boy offers a raw, unfiltered look into the author's experience at a Catholic boarding school in Nigeria, revealing the emotional and psychological toll of institutional life. By drawing parallels between Nigeria's Catholic education system and Canada's Residential Schools, the book contributes to vital global discussions on colonial legacies, identity, and healing. As global curiosity about African stories grows, One Boy provides a timely and relatable narrative that draws parallels between Catholic boarding schools in Nigeria and similar institutions worldwide. Maiangwa's boarding school story is one of courage, resistance, and personal growth-an inspiring narrative for readers navigating their own paths through adversity. Set in northern Nigeria, the memoir offers a vivid portrayal of life shaped by religious tradition, ethno-religious tensions, and the search for belonging. About the Cover Art List of Figures Prefac Dedication Acknowledgements Chapter 1 The Dream Chapter 2 Opening Day Chapter 3 Settling Down Chapter 4 Cutting of Tail Chapter 5 Visiting Day Chapter 6 Disciples of Discipline Chapter 7 Redemption for the Failed Athlete Chapter 8 Linguistic Calisthenics Chapter 9 The Art of Name-Calling Chapter 10 Blood Will Always Be Thicker Chapter 11 Inspection Day Chapter 12 A Crisis Like No Other Chapter 13 The Oliver Twist of German Rice Chapter 14 Mama Jovita Chapter 15 Heroics of a Class Prefect Chapter 16 Shake What Your Mama Gave You! Chapter 17 In the Direction of Love Chapter 18 The Stolen School Fee Chapter 19 Batt