Waiting for Maria explores the harrowing experiences of female inmates caught in Nigeria's sluggish justice system. The book follows their stories as they compete for the single amnesty slot granted on Nigeria's National Day. The arrival of an executioner heightens the urgency, casting a shadow of mortality over the inmates. Despite adversity, human compassion emerges, offering a sliver of redemption. A finalist for the Commonwealth Writers Prize, this book delves into the feminine condition, systemic challenges, and themes of justice, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of hope.