Ijeoma is a young Igbo girl coming of age in Nigeria during the Biafran War. Following her father's death in an air raid, her mother sends her to live as a housegirl in Nnewi. She tries to reconcile her Christian upbringing with her identity and sexuality in a deeply conservative society. Her story spans her childhood, her time at a girls' boarding school, and her adulthood as she seeks safety and acceptance.

Adaora is Ijeoma's mother, a resilient woman who builds a successful shop in Aba after losing her husband to the war. Her grief and adherence to her Christian faith heavily influence her parenting decisions. She responds to her daughter's sexuality with intense fear, implementing a strict regimen of Bible study to cast out what she believes is a spiritual affliction.

Chibundu is a childhood friend of Ijeoma whose family visits before she is sent away. He initiates an awkward kiss in an orange tree when they are young, worrying that she will forget him during the conflict. As he grows into a businessman, he maintains traditional expectations for family and gender roles, remaining a consistent and demanding presence in Ijeoma's orbit.

Amina is a Hausa Muslim teenager who lost her family in the war. Taken in as a second housegirl by the grammar school teacher, she bonds with Ijeoma over shared grief, chores, and nighttime conversations. Their friendship quickly blossoms into romance, though Amina remains heavily influenced by her prophetic dreams and cultural expectations.

Ndidi is a secondary school teacher in Aba who decorates her flat with postcards of foreign cities she wishes to visit. She acts as a guide for Ijeoma, introducing her to books, wine, and a secret nighttime dance club. She understands the severe dangers of their society but actively seeks pockets of freedom where she can express herself.

Uzo is Ijeoma's father, a man who loves architecture and storytelling. He frequently shares Igbo folktales and Biblical allegories with his daughter, teaching her not to interpret stories literally. He dies early in the civil war when he passively refuses to enter the family's bunker during a bombing raid.

The grammar school teacher is a strict, corpulent man living in Nnewi who takes Ijeoma in during the war. He adheres rigidly to religious and cultural norms, expressing open hostility toward Hausa people. He reacts with severe physical punishment when his traditional morals are broken under his roof.

The grammar school teacher's wife manages the household where Ijeoma and Amina work. She has straightened hair and largely defers to her husband's authority, echoing his sentiments and helping to enforce his strict discipline over the girls.

Ugochi is a dark-skinned, curvy Igbo student at the Obodoañuli Girls' Academy. She speaks in a mix of proper English and pidgin, heavily prioritizing her social life and dates with men over her schoolwork. Unaware of her roommate's true desires, Ugochi frequently encourages Ijeoma to find a boyfriend.

Adanna is a regular attendee at the secret LGBT+ dance club in Aba. She is a brave member of the underground community who helps prepare the bodies of victims of homophobic violence, fully understanding the daily physical threats to her own life.

Okeke is a local shopkeeper whose son joined the army. During the height of the Biafran War, he demonstrates immense generosity by giving a hungry Ijeoma free bread and kerosene from his personal supply when his store runs out of inventory.

Mrs. Enwere is Ijeoma's former social studies teacher. She is remembered for teaching her class about mutiny and listing the gruesome deaths of political leaders, leaving a lasting impression on her students.

Chidinma is a young girl born during Ijeoma's adulthood. Her presence shifts the family dynamics, forcing her parents to consider what kind of life and environment they want to provide for the next generation.