From its inception and remarkable growth, the Ake Arts and Book Festival has been a haven where hundreds of writers, artists, filmmakers, and readers across the globe blend words, creativity, art, and emotion into a thrilling and indelible experience. Through readings, interactive workshops, book chats, and performances, the festival maintains its vibrant tradition. This year, its thirteenth edition was no exception.
According to the director, Lola Shoneyin, this year’s theme, “Reclaiming Truth,” is a clarion call for all to tell the truth “courageously,” especially in a world where misinformation travels faster than light.
In this year’s three-day programme, literary enthusiasts, including authors and readers from Nigeria and the diaspora, experienced unforgettable moments as the festival reunited friends, sparked new connections, and promoted literature in its truest essence. The Ake Arts and Book Festival continues to portray literature and creativity as vital elements that connect individuals regardless of background or culture. A glimpse of this year’s edition, shared by participants, guests, attendees, volunteers, and crew, would make anyone look forward to the 2026 edition, which is already eagerly anticipated.
Andie Davis, winner of the 2024 Frank Collymore Literary Endowment Award for Fiction, was a guest at the festival and engaged in a book chat examining how her debut, Let Me Liberate You, reflects the ways women and marginalized voices navigate silence, power, and identity in a society struggling to embrace change. She first experienced Ake in 2019 as an attendee, during her first visit to Nigeria, and promised herself she would return one day as a guest. To her, this thirteenth edition “is a dream come true,” as she is now an author—a surprise she attributes to the festival’s impact.
Born in Montserrat, Davis writes books she wishes she had encountered growing up. She writes to fill gaps in literature, seeking characters both familiar and different, characters who can teach her something as she discovers who they are in the writing process. She is passionate about writing complicated and flawed characters, believing that Black people are sometimes placed on pedestals to offset negative stereotypes about their communities and cultures.
On the theme “Reclaiming Truth”, Nigerian poet, performer, and JAY Lit contributor Bash Amuneni, known for poetry exploring memory, identity, and resilience, described it as an act of returning to authenticity in creative expression. “Let’s go back to our originality,” he said. While others spoke of surprising moments at the festival, Bash praised the organisers for putting in their best—the energy, food, venue, and overall ambience were breathtaking.
Towards the end of the festival, Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner, Wole Soyinka, walked quietly into the hall, marking a highlight of Bash’s experience.
In an interview with JAY Lit reporter Sarah Adeyemo, Anthony Ikechukwu Chielo reflected on his participation, saying:
“Last year, I came as a volunteer and this year as an attendee. Ake last year and this year has just been amazing… It always feels like home. I get to meet people I haven’t seen throughout the year, experience authors, hear their thoughts about their books and writing process, and understand what they were thinking before putting the books down. It is just really beautiful.”
As a book influencer and marketing content creator at Masobe Books, Chielo promotes African writing and literary culture. In a gesture of literary generosity, he bought books for people at the festival. Readers delved into Hafsatu Bebi by Fatima Bala, Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola, and This Thing Called Love by Oreva Ode-Irri, among others.
After hosting an insightful book chat with two authors, Thandie Abigail, a passionate lover of African stories, expressed her desire to see Northern creatives thrive in African literature. She believes it is time to spotlight the region’s culture, traditions, and histories by weaving the multifaceted threads of Northern heritage into African literature through art, film, textbooks, and more. “I would definitely love to see them,” she hummed.
At Ake, Chigozie Ubani reconnected with her heritage as a Nigerian from Delta State, who grew up in the diaspora. Attending Ake 2025, she shared how the absence of a literary scene in her childhood fueled her passion for literature now that she has the freedom to immerse herself in any work she chooses. It is no wonder she sat in the front row throughout the festival, eager to absorb every moment to fill that missing gap.
Beyond the nourishing conversations and performances, she was also captivated by the fashion. The festival was adorned with trending adire, worn by Africans and attendees from the diaspora. To Chigozie, it reflects how people love expressing themselves and how much voice creatives have, regardless of origin.
Ake Arts and Book Festival 2025 was a memorable year for TheNews Assistant Editor, Nehru Odeh. In its thirteenth year, the festival remains a global literary love-feast, assembling writers from around the world whom many would never have had the opportunity to meet. For budding writers, meeting established voices is a powerful inspiration. Nehru met acclaimed authors, including Bernardine Evaristo, winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. His experience is a testament to the festival’s vital contribution to African literature, especially through its book chats, panel discussions, and poetry performances.
The success of the festival would not have been possible without the production team. Speaking with Seun Adeleye, production director with over fifteen years of experience in technical production, he explained how effective collaboration fuels the festival’s excellence. He recounted how working with Lola Shoneyin over the past nine years—since he was introduced to her by a friend—has led to consistently successful productions. With his team, he deploys solutions such as lighting, sound, video production, and general coordination. He described Shoneyin as the brain behind what sets Ake apart—a “beautiful soul driven by purpose and passionate about bringing change and delivering solutions to the literary space.” To him, truth is absolute.
The festival is also known for offering young talents opportunities to unleash their potential by volunteering while building their portfolios. As often said, “There is no small role.” Temitope, a volunteer, emphasized that arranging bookshelves, opening doors, giving guidance, and other tasks are threads woven into the festival’s overall experience. Not only did he enjoy the festival and meet new people, but he also engaged in meaningful conversations and proudly stated he is part of those who made Ake Festival a success.
Ake Arts and Book Festival is the largest in Africa, known for gathering authors, writers, artists, and readers across the globe. Its 13th edition is now a wrap, leaving behind unforgettable moments in the hearts of attendees. Undoubtedly, anticipation for the 14th edition is already growing.
Sarah Adeyemo
Sarah Adeyemo, Swan IX, is a Nigerian poet, writer, editor, spoken word artiste and communication expert. The debut author of “The Shape of Silence”. She draws inspiration from solitude and experiences. She is a fellow of the SprinNG Writing Fellowship. Her works appeared or are forthcoming in Akpata Magazine, The Shallow Tales Review, The Muse Journal, The Weganda Review, Everscribe Magazine, Afrillhill Press, Poems For Persons Interest, TV-63 Magazine, Northern Writers Forum Journal, Eboquills, Rinna Lit. Anthologies, and elsewhere. She tweets @SarahInkspires.
