On Saturday, May 24, 2025, literary enthusiasts gathered at the newly opened RovingHeights bookstore in Ibadan for a vibrant book reading and conversation hosted by Noirledge Publishing. The event featured award-winning authors, members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo State chapter, Dele Morakinyo—convener of the Niyi Osundare International Poetry Festival and readers from across and beyond Oyo State, united by a shared love for literature and critical dialogue.
At a time when Nigeria’s reading culture is often said to be in decline, the event stood out for its energy, relevance, and depth. The session spotlighted two recently published titles: The Ones Before You, a collection of introspective poetry by ’Jọba Ọ̀jẹ̀labí, and If My Country Had a Jury, a speculative legal novel by Olabisi Ajakaiye.
Opening the readings, Ọ̀jẹ̀labí performed “Ibadan,” a poem that resonated with the local audience. His collection, rich in emotional nuance and philosophical depth, explores themes of love, family, and human connection. The poet explained his work as an attempt to reflect personal experiences that carry universal meaning, rejecting simplistic moral conclusions.
The mood shifted as spoken word artist Fatihah Quadri Eniola delivered a powerful piece on gender-based violence. Her poignant performance, ending with the question “What crime is it to be a woman?”, drew a reflective silence from the crowd.
Olabisi Ajakaiye followed with an excerpt from If My Country Had a Jury, a 384-page legal thriller set in a futuristic 2050 Nigeria. Without formal legal training, Ajakaiye boldly imagines a justice system led by juries, an unfamiliar concept in Nigerian courts and tackles the sensitive subject of rape within a high-profile case.
Moderated by literary critic Micheal Olatunbosun, the conversation that followed was engaging and provocative. Ajakaiye explained his decision to set the novel in the future, saying:
“Our creative works rarely anticipate the future. We must begin to imagine it.”
He also called for systemic reforms, challenging the relevance of traditional education systems like JAMB and NYSC, and advocating for skill-based learning.
“We need to prioritise skills over certificates,” he said. “That’s the only way forward.”
When asked whether Nigerians could serve as impartial jurors, Ajakaiye questioned the public’s ability to separate facts from personal bias.
“Can we trust twelve Nigerians to judge a case without tribal, political, or gender sentiment?” he asked.
Responding to criticism that his novel lacked optimism about Nigeria’s ability to tackle corruption, he offered a grounded perspective:
“We may not cure it, but we can manage it with systems that work. Right now, Nigeria has powerful people—not powerful systems.”
In a moment of candid reflection, Ọ̀jẹ̀labí addressed criticism over two controversial poems in his collection, How to Love a Thick Lady and Small Packages. He explained that the poems explore varied perspectives and experiences, not to shame but to examine body image with nuance.
The event was the second literary program hosted at RovingHeights’ Ibadan location. Olubunmi Familoni, 2024 winner of the Nigerian Prize for Literature, praised the expansion.
“What RovingHeights does well is availability and delivery. In Ibadan, you can place an order and get your book delivered. We need more of this.”
The nearly two-hour event wrapped up with a book signing, and the first five attendees received free autographed copies of the featured books. Both authors were commended by poet and festival organiser Dele Morakinyo for their thought-provoking contributions to Nigerian literature.
In closing, Familoni offered a nuanced reflection on the state of reading in Nigeria. He said:
“It’s not just that people aren’t reading, it’s not that linear. Economic factors play a big role. Books are expensive, and many can’t afford them. But I believe people still want to read. The culture may have declined compared to the ’60s and ’70s, but the desire remains. We just need to make books more affordable and accessible—maybe even subsidised.”
Saturday’s event marked the beginning of a year-long series by Noirledge Publishing under the Ibadan Book and Arts Festival initiative. With a focus on promoting literacy, artistic expression, and cultural leadership, the program aims to revive reading culture and empower the next generation of writers and thinkers.
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
