The long-awaited inaugural Ibadan Book and Arts Festival (IbaFest) is set to hold this Friday and Saturday at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan.
The festival, which is free and open to the public, is themed ‘The past as prologue to the future’ and is programmed as a hybrid event, with the virtual sessions holds on Friday and physical sessions on Saturday.
The founder and director of the festival, Servio Gbadamosi, in a statement on Monday, stated that IbaFest, which aims to celebrate storytelling, creativity, and cultural dialogue, will feature literary readings, artistic performances, exhibitions, and panel discussions that explore the enduring power of ideas and the role of the creative and cultural industries in shaping education, community, and national development.
Gbadamosi noted that IbaFest is a call to remember, reflect, and reimagine, and a space for intergenerational dialogue, bold expression, and creative innovation — bringing together students, scholars, artists, and cultural leaders from across the country.
“The festival builds on successful prelude events held in July and August 2025, including a tribute to poet and public intellectual, Professor Niyi Osundare. These events drew nearly 1,000 participants onsite and online, setting the tone for what promises to be one of Nigeria’s most vibrant cultural gatherings,” Gbadamosi said.
Emeritus Professor Dan Izevbaye will be the keynote speaker at the festival, with other distinguished figures who will lead conversations that reflect on Ibadan’s literary heritage and its relevance to Nigeria’s evolving cultural landscape.
According to Gbadamosi, guests expected at the festival include Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, Professor Doyin Aguoru, Professor Akin Adesokan, Olubunmi Familoni, Ayo Oyeku, Nze Sylva Ifedigbo, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, Olajide Salawu, Adedayo Agarau, Othuke Umukoro, Hussein Ahmed, Dr Sola Adeyemi, Jahman Anikulapo, and Akin Tella.
Others include Funmi Gaji, Razaq Malik Gbolahan, Chinụa Ezenwa-Ọhaeto, Obinna Udenwe, Ayesha Haruna Attah, Victoria Princewill, Amaka Azie, Ayo Adams, Olamilekan Waheed (Orolabi), Olumide Olutola, Akin Akingbogun, Olabisi Ajakaiye, Santi Femi, ‘Joba Ojelabi, among other notable personalities will be gracing the occasion.
The festival director said that IbaFest would also bring together secondary school students from public and private schools in Ibadan for an interactive student-author session.
“This will enable students to learn from renowned and award-winning authors on the act and art of storytelling, thereby contributing to national development through the Creative and Cultural Industries,” he added.
