A Celebration of Storytelling and Imagination
Founder and convener of the Akada Children’s Book Festival, Mrs. Olubmi Aboderin Talabi, has reaffirmed her dedication to cultivating a generation of young Africans who read widely, write creatively, and share their stories with confidence and pride.
Speaking at the seventh edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival, Talabi emphasized the transformative power of reading as an adventure that sparks curiosity and imagination in children.
“We are thrilled by the incredible energy and enthusiasm that filled this year’s event, the seventh edition of the Akada Children’s Book Festival,” she said.
The theme “Book an Adventure” served as a reminder that every story opens a new door of discovery. Books provide children with the courage to imagine, dream, and explore worlds beyond their own.
At the Akada Children’s Book Festival, the goal is to ensure that every child experiences a sense of wonder and possibility—seeing reading not as a task, but as an adventure waiting to unfold. The festival aims to build a generation that reads, creates, and tells the African story with pride.
A Record-Breaking Event
Held at the UPBEAT Recreation Centre in Lekki, Lagos, this year’s festival attracted over 1,500 attendees—the largest since its inception in 2019. The event featured 34 authors and speakers, 27 featured books, 14 workshops, 11 storytime sessions, eight book readings, and five book chats.
The vibrant gathering brought together children from various schools across Lagos, along with parents, teachers, and literary enthusiasts. This year’s theme, “Book an Adventure,” celebrated reading as a gateway to imagination, history, culture, and self-discovery. It highlighted the importance of storytelling in shaping children’s perspectives and encouraging them to ask bold questions about the world around them.
The festival’s diverse program included activities for both children and adults, such as animation and illustration workshops where participants learned how to tell stories through visuals. These sessions helped expand children’s understanding of how books are created.
Recognizing Excellence in Children’s Literature
The festival also honored excellence in children’s literature by presenting three major awards. “Komtu, the Grumpy Chameleon,” by Tayo Oyetayo, won Picture Book of the Year, while “The Water School,” by Ogbu Eme, was named Early Reader Book of the Year.
Tayo Oyetayo, upon receiving his award, praised the festival for creating visibility for writers of children’s books. His goal is to craft a world in his children’s books where every child sees themselves reflected in the pages. He noted that the Akada Children’s Book Festival provides a platform that recognizes and elevates these stories.
Ogbu Eme, whose book “The Water School” explores environmental themes for young readers, expressed appreciation for the recognition. He stated that being honored at Akada affirms that stories for children matter deeply. It encourages writers like him to keep creating narratives that inspire and educate the next generation.
A Growing Impact on Literacy and Education
Since its launch in 2019, the Akada Children’s Book Festival has become a cornerstone event for children’s literature in Nigeria. It has drawn over 10,160 attendees and donated more than 5,000 books to schools and community libraries, significantly expanding access to reading materials.
Beyond promoting literacy, the festival empowers parents and educators to nurture reading habits at home and in classrooms. It also offers Nigerian authors and illustrators a visible platform to showcase their work to a growing audience.
A Lasting Legacy
As the festival concluded, the message resonated clearly: that books are more than just pages; they are gateways to imagination, creativity, and cultural identity. Through ACBF, Akada Books continues to shape a future where children not only read stories but also create and own them.