Nigeria’s favourite literary event for young readers, the
Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF), took place on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at Starfield
Montessori School in Lekki, Lagos. The festival, which is the first and largest Nigerian book festival
curated specifically for children, featured a diverse line-up of authors and illustrators who
introduced a range of incredible indigenous-centred stories to the budding minds in attendance.
The festival, a showcase of children’s books written by African authors or books from around the
world written for a diverse audience of children, provided an unmatched platform for children to see
themselves reflected in the books they read. It was a celebration of African culture and heritage, and
it promoted literacy and cultural awareness among children.
“We are thrilled to have welcomed families, schools and reading groups from across the state and
other parts of the country, to the fifth edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival,” said
renowned author and convener of the ACBF, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi. “The ACBF is a
celebration of African stories and authors, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share these
stories with children and families from all over Nigeria. We hope that the festival has inspired
children to read more, to learn about different cultures, and to explore the world of books.
Children are the future, and they need to have access to books that reflect their own experiences
and cultures. The ACBF is committed to providing a platform for African authors and illustrators to
share their stories with the world, and we are hopeful that the festival will inspire a new
generation of readers and writers.”
The 2023 ACBF was themed “Through the Pages” and featured a diverse range of activities for
children of all ages. Author-led book readings, book chats, featured books, storytime sessions, and
book exhibitions allowed children to meet their favourite authors and learn about new books.
Writing & illustration competitions, a chess tournament, a STEM exhibition, a sip and paint, and an
art exhibition provided opportunities for children to express their creativity and have fun. Insightful
sessions for parents and teachers offered guidance on how to support children’s literacy
development, while professional workshops for writers, illustrators, and publishers provided a
platform for adults to learn and grow in their careers.
Other activities included a Young Author’s Panel which showcased emerging creative talents and
their debut publications, such as Oluwasemilore Lanre-Raheem, author of Miss Cleany Shoes and
Kosisochukwu Ugboh, author of Left Alone. The Society for the Performing Arts Nigeria (SPAN)
performed drama presentations of popular children’s books – Mummy, Can I…? and Kob the
Antelope; Noma Sodipo, author of A Pre-School Alphabet Book, led a creative writing masterclass for
Children’s Authors; and Lola Udabor, personal wellbeing coach, moderated a girls-only panel on
navigating puberty with Omobola Olaribigbe, author and social impact advocate, and Omolayo
Ogundele-Oyawoye, author and child behaviour therapist, as panellists.
According to attendees, the event was an unforgettable day of imagination and discovery as it
brought book lovers’ havens to life by celebrating the power of stories in connecting and inspiring
people of all ages. The festival was duly supported by IweMi, Starfield Montessori School, PepsiCo,
Cool FM, Leadway Assurance, STEM-METS, The Learning Place, Hot Hobs, Cafe Jade, Zolene,
Parkview International Kindergarten School, SPAN, and the Nurturing Tree Nursery School.
Published on Brandfit
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