The Lagos International Festival of Illustration (LIFI) 2026 has brought together Nigerian and international illustrators, authors, publishers, and creative professionals as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s children’s book and illustration industry.
The three-day festival, organised by the Book Buzz Foundation, opened in Lagos on Thursday, September 17, with representatives of partner organisations and countries delivering goodwill messages to participants.
Among those who spoke at the opening ceremony were Donatus Okpako, Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling Bank; Tomasz Gajc, First Secretary of the Polish Embassy; and Derin Ajao, representing the Swiss Arts Council and Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, South Africa.
Italy is also one of the featured countries for this year’s festival.
Speaking at the event, Book Buzz Foundation director and LIFI founder, Lola Shoneyin, said 36 participants are taking part in the illustration programme, with the training designed to help them strengthen their practical skills and develop professionally.
Shoneyin said the initiative goes beyond teaching illustration, noting that young creatives need to develop both their ideas and their ability to execute them.
She explained that participants are being encouraged to work with different art materials and practise traditional forms of illustration alongside digital tools.
The festival also marks the launch of the BBF Children’s Book Awards, which will recognise outstanding work in children’s book writing and illustration.
Shoneyin said the foundation is also working on the Nigeria Picture Book Project, through which it plans to produce 100 picture books involving Nigerian writers and illustrators.
Okpako, who represented Sterling Bank at the event, described the gathering as an opportunity to bring people together, exchange ideas, and identify areas where creative communities can improve.
He stressed the importance of building systems and services that respond to the needs of communities, particularly in areas connected to children and education.
Gajc, in his goodwill message, focused on the importance of nurturing children’s creativity, emotional development, and the ability to think independently.
He said children have significant creative potential and that parents, teachers, and society have a responsibility to create environments where they can develop their ideas and express themselves.
Ajao also welcomed participants and international guests to Lagos, expressing hope that they would make the most of the opportunities created by the festival.
The 2026 edition features Switzerland, Poland, and Italy, with international illustrators participating in presentations, workshops, portfolio clinics, and other activities.
The programme also gives participants opportunities to learn from established illustrators and explore different approaches to visual storytelling.
As part of the programme, illustrators from the featured countries will take turns introducing three of their favourite illustrators each day, beginning with Switzerland on the first day.
The festival is also designed to create connections between Nigerian creatives and professionals from other parts of the world, providing opportunities for learning, collaboration and international exposure.
Through the initiative, the Book Buzz Foundation hopes to develop a stronger community of Nigerian illustrators while contributing to the growth of children’s literature.
