The 2025 Ake Arts and Book Festival, the 13th edition of the festival, held at the BON Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, from November 20-22, opened with an urgent and timely theme: ‘Reclaiming Truth’. Over three days, writers, artists, thinkers, and lovers of art and culture gathered to interrogate narratives, challenge misinformation, and celebrate the power of literature and critical discourse.
From performances to panel sessions, the festival offered a space for reflection, dialogue, and discovery, underscoring the pivotal role of storytelling in shaping society.
As the festival began, Wana Udobang welcomed attendees with an infectious energy, emphasising the importance of community, engagement, and joy in literature.
“We have thriller, we have sci-fi, we have romance, polygamy. Things are happening inside books,” she said, reminding the audience that books are not just serious — they are fun, dynamic, and alive.
This set the stage for a series of speeches and conversations that would highlight the intersections of culture, history, and truth.
The Founder and Director of Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneyin, noted that, for over a decade, the festival has been a space for bold ideas, courageous questioning, and free imagination.
She appreciated the Open Society Foundation, Sterling Bank, Lagos State Government, The British Council, Annoying Logo, and other organisations and individuals “who continue to believe in what we do.”
At the centre of the opening ceremony was Shoneyin’s powerful speech, which was rooted in personal memory and the responsibility of cultural stewardship. She reflected on the festival’s earliest vision: honouring African literary icons not only for their books but also for the activism and identity work that shaped generations.
Her emotional recounting of the passing of Ama Ata Aidoo, Maryse Condé, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and Mabel Segun reminded the audience of the fragility of memory and the urgency of preserving stories.
Speaking about the theme of the festival, ‘Reclaiming Truth,’ which she emphasised is relevant in a world where misinformation spreads rapidly, she said that it is vital that spaces like this exist — spaces that encourage critical thinking, honest dialogue, and the sharing of authentic experiences.
“Every panel, workshop, and performance here is an opportunity to interrogate the narratives that shape our understanding of society,” she said.
She announced that over 60 authors and thinkers from 16 countries and beyond graced the festival, and each voice contributes to a living project of truth-telling.
“Through storytelling, poetry, and conversation, we aim to empower the next generation of African writers, readers, and dreamers to engage deeply with the world around them and to reclaim the truths that define our shared humanity,” she said.
The Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Sterling Bank, Donatus Okpako, representing the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the bank, Abubakar Suleiman, described the festival as a space that has, for over a decade, encouraged bold thinking, brave questioning, and free imagination.
This year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Truth,’ Okpako stressed, is timely, as “we live in a world where misinformation and distortions are increasingly common.”
He stated that their work at Sterling Bank embodies this same principle of truth, adding that their seven-year partnership with Ake Festival reflects their commitment to literacy, creativity, and critical thinking as pillars for a society that can discern and reclaim its truths.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who graced the festival with his wife, said, “This is our second Aki Festival, and since we arrived in Nigeria, literature has performed its magic in helping us understand this wonderful, complex country.”
The ambassador further said that literature provides a time of respiration, a break from intense daily agendas, adding, “That is what the Ake Festival represents for us: A space to pause, reflect, and engage with ideas.”
He spoke of their commitment to supporting culture in Nigeria and Africa and revealed that they will be launching the Nigeria cluster of the Africa-Europe partnerships for culture, implemented by the Goethe Institute.
Aside from the festival itself, the Ake Review, the annual magazine of the festival, gave the attendees quality literary works to reflect on the theme and essence of the festival.
Lola Shoneyin, describing the magazine, puts it this way: “One of the exciting aspects of editing this publication is witnessing writers and artists interpret and wrestle with the theme.”
The 2025 Ake Festival was more than a literary celebration — it was a timely intervention in a world overwhelmed by misinformation and contested truths. Across panels, speeches, and performances, attendees were reminded that literature, storytelling, and critical discourse are powerful tools for reclaiming truth and shaping public understanding.
From Sterling Bank’s institutional reflections to the urgent observations of journalists, authors, and human rights advocates, the festival underscored that truth is not static — it is a lived, shared responsibility.
As the lights dimmed and discussions continued into workshops, book chats, and poetry nights, one message was clear: Reclaiming truth requires courage, vigilance, and the active engagement of every citizen.
