From November 20-22, 2025, Lagos will once again become the epicenter of African literary and creative exchange as the Aké Arts & Book Festival returns for its thirteenth edition.

Founded by Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin and organized by the Book Buzz Foundation, the festival has grown into what many describe as the largest convergence of African creatives in the world, having brought together over 1,000 writers, poets, musicians, actors, filmmakers, artists and thinkers since its inception. This year’s edition, themed, Reclaiming Truth, couldn’t be more timely.

The festival’s robust three-day programme at BON Hotel Ikeja Residence promises the intellectual rigor and cultural celebration that have become Aké’s hallmark. Headlining the event is Bernardine Evaristo, who will sit for an interview with host Angela Wachuka, alongside book chats featuring literary heavyweights like Alain Mabanckou discussing his work alongside Bofane In Koli Jean’s Congo Inc, and a conversation with the Kuti family, Yeni, Femi, and Made, about Mrs Kuti hosted by Dami Ajayi. Chess prodigy and activist Tunde Onakoya will discuss his journey, while Palestinian author Adania Shibli will explore her novel Minor Detail and participate in a panel interrogating the very question: “What is Truth?”

The festival’s panels will tackle urgent contemporary questions. “Global Media and Selective Empathy” features Adrian Harewood, Zeinab M Salih, and Jonas Kiriko examining how narratives are constructed and which stories get told. “Mainstream Media and the Loss of Trust” brings together Tolu Ogunlesi, Colombe Schneck, and Myroslav Laiuk to dissect the erosion of public confidence in traditional journalism. Beyond the heavy questions, the festival celebrates African creativity across genres, from a panel on “The Rise of Romance” featuring Fatima Bala, Adesuwa Nwokedi, and Oreva Olujimi, to discussions on why speculative fiction matters, to book chats on crime fiction and children’s literature.

True to tradition, the festival culminates in its beloved Palm Wine and Poetry finale, where poets including Momtaza Mehri, Yashika Graham, Maryam Bukar, and Abubakar Umar Sidi will perform alongside live music from The Recurrence, Chukky Ibe, and Bash Amuneni.

This is one event you do not want to miss! Register Here