Livin' on a Prayer in Lagos

“Livin’ on a Prayer in Lagos” is a deeply personal, emotionally rich coming-of-age story about Folake—a Nigerian girl whose life is shaped by the music of Bon Jovi and the rhythm of Lagos.



From her teenage years spent staring at a Bon Jovi poster taped above her bed to her wild university nights chasing dreams in leather jackets and eyeliner, Folake’s journey is one of passion, heartbreak, rebellion, and resilience. As she navigates love, loss, motherhood, and self-discovery, Bon Jovi’s music becomes the soundtrack to her life—guiding her through joy, pain, and everything in between.



The novel explores themes of identity, cultural expectations, and the power of art to heal and transform. It tells the story of a young woman who dares to dream beyond the walls of her Lagos flat, only to learn that sometimes, the most important journey isn’t across oceans—but within herself.



Years later, as a single mother raising a daughter named Jon after her white American father, Folake finds herself reflecting on the choices she made, the man she loved and lost, and the legacy she’s passing on. When her daughter promises to take her to see Bon Jovi live in America, it becomes more than just a concert—it becomes a full-circle moment.



“Livin’ on a Prayer in Lagos” is not just a love letter to Bon Jovi or rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a tribute to every African girl who ever believed in something bigger than herself—who found freedom in music, strength in heartbreak, and purpose in the chaos of growing up.



Raw. Honest. Unapologetically bold.



This is her story.



And it might just be yours, too.