Adichie was one of the 6 conferred with the degree from Duke University. All 6 of them were described as people who have changed the world in extensive ways.
“Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie,” the university said.
Others honoured with the degree are: the CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra; former Durham Mayor, William Bell; lead architect for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Phil Freelon; professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Dr. William Kaelin; and Attorney Russell M. Robinson II.