We are in the art season and Ouida Lagos, the premier cultural hub of Lagos is once again taking charge with what one journalist called “the most unique literary festival in Africa.” Yet somehow that sells short the titanic impact that Ake Arts and Books festival annually has on the literary space, not just locally or continentally but global. As confirmed by Book Buzz Foundation Director, Lola Shoneyin, 67 guests from 17 countries will be in attendance. These include Ukraine, Belgium, Barbados, Palestine, Namibia, Congo, Kenya, Jamaica and of course the Nigerian diaspora, truly an international unifying event if ever there was one. Better yet, its theme, Reclaiming Truth resonates with many in these current polarizing times.
Ms. Shoneyin however served us with more juicy details to keep our tastebuds salivating ahead of the 13th edition of this event. She spoke to the reasoning behind her choice of theme. “We live in times of selective empathy and disinformation. Many people cannot discern truth and many voices of truth are being muffled.” It will also explain why Journalists will play such a huge role in this year’s festival. Lola Shoneyin aims to build up the next generation of journalists and that includes content creators and independent writers.
Journalists won’t be the only ones in attendance. Lola Shoneyin confirmed that Booker Prize winning author Bernardine Evaristo will be a special guest. Not just that but she’ll be one of two authors collaborating with the British Council to host a showcase event in Ikoyi with a possible collaboration with Alliance Francaise Lagos. Other authors in attendance will be bestselling Nigerian romance authors; Fatima Bala and Bolu Babalola, fantasy author pair; Marvellous Anson and Nkereuwem Albert and Olayinka Yaqub among others.
In addition to book panels and discussions of reclaiming truths, Independent Afro-Rock band, The Recurrence will hold a concert on the first night. The second night will feature a screening of Ema Edosio’s film, When Nigeria happens and as tradition states, Palmwine and Poetry ends the night and will feature a wide array of local and international poets. The event will be kickstarted by a tribute poem to Fidel Castro performed by none other than Professor Wole Soyinka.
The event will also honor the late Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o and Nigerian author Mabel Segun, both of whom tragically passed away this year. Lola Shoneyin made it clear her plans to outdo the previous Ake Festival and with this year’s Ake Review being the largest ever, they’re off to a great start. She explained how her over thirty year experience in the literary space and the continued effective support of her team helps her every year in organizing.
All of this will be made possible through the support and partnership of Sterling Bank who have been working with Ouida and Ake Festival since 2017. As Donatus Okpako, Sterling Bank’s CMO put so eloquently, “We are interested in the H.E.A.R.T.S. of the economy. The E means education and Ake Festival is necessary for education and Ake does that by promoting reading.” He also had this to say about the theme; “Reclaiming truth is not negotiable. A current issue in Nigeria is that many are not willing to speak truth to power.” By reclaiming truth, Lola Shoneyin links the festival to its political nature and doesn’t shy from it. Other partners will include the Lagos State Government and the Open Society Foundation, who are in their third yer of partnership with Ake.
A closing remark from Oyeshola Oloyede ended the press conference but not before Lola could give her a beautiful sendoff in front of the press. Ake Festival holds from November 20th to 22nd 2025. In the words of the director herself, it will be “one to remember.”