By Prisca Sam-Duru

In a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, and narratives are engineered to obscure realities, the annual Ake Arts and Books festival sets out in this year’s edition with a powerful theme, “Reclaiming Truth.”

The festival theme urges all to rediscover the power of authenticity and the courage of integrity.

Now, in its 13th edition, the Aké Arts and Books Festival founded by Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin and organised by the Book Buzz Foundation, takes place from November 20 – 22, 2025, at BON Hotel Ikeja Residence GRA, Lagos.

According to Shoneyin, the festival will witness the convergence of authors, poets, artists, storytellers, film producers, musicians, and thinkers from Africa and beyond for three days of cultural immersion.

This year, Aké Arts & Book Festival partners with Sterling Group, Lagos State Government and Open Society Foundation (OSF) who have consistently supported the goal of celebrating and promoting creativity, while facilitating discussions that empower the arts.

“In this edition, Aké Review, the event publication, presents new writing and art that interrogate truth, challenge dominant narratives, and reflect on how we construct meaning in an increasingly polarized world.

Visitors will experience a series of stimulating panel discussions featuring eminent guests. Conversations include “Whose Truth Is It Anyway?”, featuring leading authors and thinkers; “The Stories That Matter,” with Mazzi Odu, Paul Okuego, Kiisa Soyinka, and Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie—authors of children’s books; and “The Rise of Romance,” with Fatima Bala, Adesuwa Nwokedi, and Oreva Olujimi,” She explained.

In “What Is Truth?”, Adania Shibli, Kunle Ajibade, and Dr. Olaokun Soyinka explore the nuances of truth and authenticity. Other panels include “Global Media and Selective Empathy,” featuring Adrian Harewood, Zeinab M. Salih, and Jonas Kiriko, moderated by Joseph Ike, as well as “Mainstream Media and the Loss of Trust,” with Tolu Ogunlesi, Colombe Schneck, and Myroslav Laiuk.

The festival will also host “Why Speculative Fiction Matters,” highlighting the genre’s power to reimagine reality and challenge perceptions.

Nine Book Chats are billed to take place at this year’s Ake Festival, featuring in-depth conversations with leading African and international writers.

Multi-award-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, Adania Shibli, the acclaimed Palestinian writer, and Nkereuwem Albert, author of The Bone River, will all feature during the Chats.

The festival will also host a special Book Chat around one of Ouida Books’ bestsellers, Mrs Kuti, a memoir of Remilekun Kuti, the wife of Fela Kuti, featuring Femi Kuti, Yeni Kuti, and Made Kuti.

The Romance Book Chat line-up expands this year to include Fatima Bala, author of Broken: Not a Halal Love Story, who will present her latest novel Hafsatu Bebi, and Bolu Babalola, with her new book Sweet Heat.

Also featuring are Alain Mabanckou, Bofane In Koli, Louisa Onomé, Femi Kayode, Olufemi Terry, Olayinka Yaqub, Marvellous Michael, Iris Mwanza, Andie Davis, and Lola Shoneyin.

During the film screening session, Aké Festival will celebrate cinematic excellence from Nigeria with a film that resonates with the festival theme. Producers Ema Edosio and Adebayo Oduwole will screen their film When Nigeria Happens and afterwards engage in a conversation with Omotoke Solarin Sodara.

The enchanting Palmwine and Poetry segment is the highlight of the annual festival. To be hosted by Wana Udobang, attendees will be treated to captivating performances by Momtaza Mehri, Yashika Graham, Maryam Bukar, Abubakar Umar Sidi, Dami Ajayi, Chukky Ibe, Zaynab Bobi and Bash Amuneni.

During the Music Night session, audiences will be captivated by musical brilliance of The Recurrence, a boy band formed in Lagos by three young music graduates.

This year marks the second Bedtime Stories series at Aké. Audio recordings of two guests reading from their books will be played to soothe audiences at the end of each day as they head to their bedrooms. Featured authors include Fatima Bala, and Adedapo Adeniyi, a filmmaker.