The Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST) returns for its second edition this September, under the theme “Poetry in a Time of Crisis.” The 2025 edition will take place from September 11–13, 2025 in Kano and has quickly established itself as one of Nigeria’s largest literary events, positioning itself as Northern Nigeria’s biggest poetry festival.

Curated by Salim Yunusa and Nasiba Babale under the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative, KAPFEST is a platform where literature directly engages with lived realities, transforming art into a force for healing and renewal. With this second edition, they’re deepening their vision to demonstrate that art can provide solutions to real-life problems.

The festival’s theme “Poetry in a Time of Crisis” highlights poetry’s unique ability to offer refuge, ignite dialogue, and inspire new possibilities during moments of conflict. It asks how art can serve as advocacy, enlightenment, empowerment, or simply an escape from harsh realities. “KAPFEST is a response to the critics and naysayers who say art neither solve problems nor provide solutions to real life problems,” the organizers explain.

Participants from Nigeria, the UK, Palestine, Rohingya and the United States will converge in Kano for three days of literary exchange, with the festival’s global footprint continuing to grow and cementing Kano’s status as a hub of diverse voices and cultures.

The event will be headlined by renowned performance poet Dike Chukwumerijie. The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to BM Dzukogi, founder of the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, in recognition of his significant role in fostering Northern Nigeria’s literary resurgence. A special highlight will be a fireside chat with HRH Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II on creativity and education in Northern Nigeria.

The festival will feature innovative programming that reflects its bold vision. The Poetry Dispensary offers interactive, one-on-one sessions where poets craft personalized poems on demand, promoting dialogue and mental health awareness. The Poetry Clinic provides a dedicated workshop space where emerging poets can refine their craft under established writers’ mentorship. A Poetry Exhibition titled “Vestiges of Hope” creates a multi-sensory experience fusing visual art with poetry, while a bustling Book Display serves as a marketplace connecting authors and publishers directly with readers.

Competition forms a key part of the festival, featuring the Mudi Sipikin Poetry Prize Slam with a ₦1 Million prize. This high-stakes contest seeks to uncover new spoken word talents willing to tackle pressing issues like insecurity, climate change, and mental health. A collaborative spectacle of dance, music, and poetry by local artists will take place at Gidan Ɗan Hausa, one of Kano’s iconic tourist sites, celebrating peace and coexistence. Vibrant Open Mics will offer stages for fresh voices to perform alongside acclaimed artists. Make plans to attend!