Helon Habila was born in Nigeria in 1967. He studied literature at the University of Jos and taught at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, before moving to Lagos to work as a journalist. In Lagos he wrote his first novel, Waiting for an Angel, which won the Caine Prize in 2001. Waiting for an Angel  has been translated into many languages including Dutch, Italian, Swedish, and French. In 2005-2006 he was the first Chinua Achebe Fellow at Bard College in New York. After his fellowship he enrolled for a PhD in Creative Writing. He currently teaches Creative Writing at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he lives with his wife and children.

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Helon Habila’s novels have been translated primarily into English and a few other major languages. Some of the major languages into which his novels have been translated include:

1. French: Habila’s novels have been translated into French, making his works accessible to a wider audience in Francophone countries. Some of his novels, such as “Measuring Time” and “Oil on Water,” have been translated into French.
2. German: German translations of Habila’s novels have allowed readers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to enjoy his works. For instance, his novel “Waiting for an Angel” has been translated into German as “Warten auf einen Engel.”
3. Dutch: Some of Helon Habila’s novels have been translated into Dutch, enabling readers in the Netherlands and Belgium to experience his writing. “Oil on Water” is an example of one of his novels translated into Dutch as “Olie op water.”
4. Italian: Italian translations of Habila’s novels have been published, introducing his work to Italian-speaking readers. His novel “Oil on Water,” for instance, has been translated into Italian as “Petrolio Sull’Acqua.”

These are some of the major languages into which Helon Habila’s novels have been translated, broadening the reach and impact of his storytelling.