Ibadan Book and Arts Festival 2025 starts October 24

The Ibadan Book and Arts Festival 2025, with the theme “The Past as Prologue to the Future,” will be held in the Nigerian town from October 24 – 25, 2025.

The new Ibadan Book and Arts Festival (IbaFest) is a celebration of African literature, creativity, and cultural dialogue. Rooted in the historic city of Ibadan, IbaFest is set to bring together writers, artists, readers, educators, and change-makers to explore the power of stories and the potential of the Creative and Cultural Industries to shape education, community, and national development.

The road to this, the first edition, began with conversations around the theme featuring eminent personalities such as Dr. Tunde Adegbola, Oko Owi Ocho, Carl Terver, Jola Praise Ademola, Sodiq Alabi, and Niyi Osundare. There are also readings of poetry and prose on the festivals official social media channels on TikTok and Instagram.

The festival proper is set to feature readings and conversations with distinguished authors, artistic performances and exhibitions, panel sessions featuring leading scholars and cultural thinkers, and a Student-Author session with secondary school pupils across Ibadan. The first day, October 24, will be a virtual affair, with the next day being a physical event at the University of Ibadan.

The keynote address will be delivered by Emeritus Professor Dan Izevbaye, a scholar of English literature and a distinguished academic, recognized for his expertise in historical and textual analysis of pre- and post-colonial literature, his long career at the University of Ibadan, and his service to other Nigerian universities and institutions.

Other participants will be Ayesha Harruna Attah, Obinna Udenwe, Oko Owi Ocho, S Su’eddie Vershima Agema, Akin Adesokan, Olumide Olutola, Ifesinachi Nwadike, Carl Terver, Rasaq Malik Gbolahan, Chinua Ezenwa Ohaeto, Kingsley Alumona, Ifeoluwa Olutayo, Philip Fagbeyiro, Ebimoboere Ibinabo Dan-Asisah, Femi Morgan, Jahman Anikulapo, Dr Sola Adeyemi, Funmi Gaji, Akin Tella, Ndubuisi Martins Aniemeka, Praise Osawaru, Othuke Umukoro, Hussain Ahmed, Adedayo Agarau, Olaitan Junaid, Olajide Salawu, Victoria Princewill, Amaka Azie, and Nze Sylva Ifedigbo.

For more information on this new initiative, we recommend visiting the official website or following them on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter/X.