The Aké Arts & Book Festival opened Thursday, 20th November, 2025 at BON Hotel Ikeja drawing hundreds of writers, artists, filmmakers and readers for three days of panels, performances and literary events centered on the theme “Reclaiming Truth.”
The festival, now in its 13th year, is organized by the Book Buzz Foundation and founded by award winning author Lola Shoneyin. It has become one of Africa’s most visible cultural gatherings, known for mixing high-level intellectual debate with music, film, and literature.
Across the three-day program, festivalgoers will participate in an array of conversations and performances that cut across literature, media, culture and politics. Discussions such as Whose Truth Is It Anyway? and What Is Truth? bring together thinkers including Adania Shibli, Olaokun Soyinka, and Nkereuwem Albert to examine the ethical and political dimensions of truth-telling.
Other sessions tackle selective empathy in global news coverage, the role of speculative fiction in reframing reality, and the pressures faced by storytellers in polarized societies.
The guest list reads like a map of the best of the best in African and global culture, with appearances by Bolu Babalola, Alain Mabanckou, Iris Mwanza, Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Made Kuti, Bayo Oduwole, Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie, Wana Udobang, Bernardine Evaristo, Momtaza Mehri, Yashika Graham, Sharon Adeoye-Ajanlekoko, and many more. Festivalgoers can expect a dynamic mix of panel discussions, live performances, readings, and interactive workshops, offering both celebrated voices and emerging talents the chance to engage directly with audiences.
Musical highlights include performances by the Kuti family, whose Afrobeat legacy resonates through the festival, while Palmwine & Poetry Night features intimate spoken word sessions from renowned poets and rising stars. Film screenings, such as When Nigeria Happens, will be accompanied by Q&A sessions, creating spaces for dialogue on storytelling and representation.
In addition to artistic showcases, the festival emphasizes education and community engagement. School visits, mentorship programs, and the “Bedtime Stories” series provide young readers with direct access to authors and artists, fostering a culture of literary appreciation and creative exploration.
Sponsors, including Sterling Bank, the Lagos State Government, and the Open Society Foundation, have reinforced their support for the festival’s vision. Sterling Bank, a longstanding partner, has also introduced the #NaijaIsArt photography challenge, giving winners a chance to have their work featured in the Sterling Digital Museum.
As Aké 2025 continues through November 22, audiences are encouraged to follow the journey and join the conversation at BON Hotel Ikeja Residence, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
