Ifemelu is an observant Nigerian woman who immigrates to the United States for university. She writes a popular blog exploring race in America from the perspective of a non-American Black person. She is fiercely independent and characteristically outspoken, frequently speaking her mind even when her bluntness causes friction with family and friends.

Obinze is Ifemelu's secondary school boyfriend who grew up consuming American media and dreaming of living abroad. Raised by a liberal single mother, he eventually moves to London before returning to Nigeria. He is thoughtful and cautious, frequently pausing to consider his words before speaking.

Aunty Uju is Ifemelu's aunt and early confidante. She is an intelligent doctor who originally serves as a pacifier in Ifemelu's family. She immigrates to America as a single mother, where the harsh realities of raising a child and re-establishing her medical career take a toll on her spirit.

Curt is the wealthy, white American cousin of Ifemelu's employer. He is vibrant, deeply optimistic, and loves spontaneous travel. He exhibits a boyish enthusiasm but struggles to fully grasp Ifemelu's experiences as a Black immigrant.

Blaine is a Black American professor at Yale. He is earnest, principled, and politically active. He eats organic foods, avoids chemical products, and holds himself and others to strict moral and academic standards.

Dike is Aunty Uju's son, born in Nigeria but raised almost entirely in America. He quickly adapts to American culture, developing a love for hot dogs and television. As he grows older, he feels caught between his American upbringing and his Nigerian heritage.

A university professor who raises Obinze as a single parent. She maintains a liberal, honest household and speaks openly with Obinze and Ifemelu about relationships and safe sex.

Kosi is Obinze's beautiful and deeply traditional wife in Nigeria. She concerns herself primarily with maintaining her family's image, obsessing over domestic duties and her daughter's education.

A secondary school classmate of Obinze who grows up poor and highly class-conscious. He immigrates to London, where he reinvents himself, adopting an air of superiority and marrying a British woman.

Ginika is Ifemelu's sweet, biracial childhood friend. She moves to America during secondary school and later acts as a guide for Ifemelu, explaining American social norms and slang when Ifemelu arrives in Philadelphia.

A bold, practical Nigerian friend from Ifemelu's youth. She views relationships pragmatically and helps reorient Ifemelu to the cultural expectations of Lagos after Ifemelu's long absence.

Ifemelu's highly religious mother who becomes deeply involved in her church congregation. She frequently fasts, prays fervently, and relies on divine intervention to solve family problems.

A civil servant who loses his job for refusing to participate in workplace sycophancy. He occasionally falls into periods of deep depression and struggles to provide for his family financially.

A wealthy, older married government official in Nigeria who takes Aunty Uju as his mistress. He provides her with a life of total financial dependence and luxury.

A kind-hearted white woman who hires Ifemelu as a babysitter. She constantly apologizes and romanticizes poverty, revealing a naive approach to racial and cultural issues.

Kim's sister, who frequently makes antagonistic and openly prejudiced remarks about Africa. She constantly attempts to assert intellectual dominance over Ifemelu.

Blaine's tempestuous sister and author of a forthcoming memoir. She commands natural authority and frequently dominates conversations, especially regarding race and literature.

An African hair braider working at the Trenton salon. She persistently asks Ifemelu to speak with her Nigerian boyfriend to convince him to marry her.

Uju's divorced accountant boyfriend in America. He expects Uju to cater to his domestic and financial needs while maintaining obvious American affectations to hide his rural upbringing.

A working-class British man who befriends Obinze in London. He asks Obinze for romantic advice and later moves to Nigeria to work as Obinze's general manager.

A young half-Nigerian girl arranged to marry Obinze in a sham wedding for visa purposes.

Obinze's cousin living in London, who has adopted British customs and expectations for his highly cultivated children.

Emenike's white British wife who participates in her husband's wealthy, educated social circles.

The editor-in-chief of the Nigerian women's magazine Zoe, running the publication with her husband's money.

A fellow editor at Zoe magazine and an American returnee who frequently clashes with Ifemelu over editorial tone and journalistic integrity.

An expressionless assistant editor at Zoe who questions Ifemelu about her blog and American racial politics.

The receptionist at Zoe magazine who frequently attempts to get Ifemelu to attend her church.

An African international student who invites Ifemelu to join the African Students Association, providing her with crucial job-hunting tips.

A wealthy Nigerian businessman who takes Obinze under his wing after his deportation, helping him build a lucrative real estate business.

A former secondary school friend of Obinze who encounters Ifemelu in America and updates her on Obinze's life in London.

A man living near Ifemelu whom she is not even certain she likes, but with whom she briefly acts out her self-destructive impulses.