The UPBEAT Recreation Centre in Lekki, Lagos, will host the 2025 edition of the prestigious Akada Children’s Book Festival on October 25, the organisers have confirmed.
Since its inception in 2019, the event has reignited the almost-dead reading culture among children, inspiring the convener to fire on.
The festival is poised to make the grand return of its highly anticipated seventh edition this year and plans are underway to make it memorable.
A statement made available to Business Post showed that the theme for this year is Book an Adventure. It highlights the power of books to transport children into realms of imagination, history, culture, and self-discovery, while fostering creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
More than 20 original children’s books by Nigerians will be showcased this year, including The Invincible Will by Amadi Njoku, Bisola and the Colourful Jars by Lola Odeyale Ayo-Fashida, The Magical Market of Maraba by Solape Azazi, and The Water School by Ogbu Eme.
Each book adds a unique voice to the tapestry of African storytelling, giving children the joy of seeing themselves in the stories they read, and beyond the books, families can look forward to impactful sessions for parents and educators, where practical strategies for cultivating a love of reading, fostering creativity, and empowering the next generation of African storytellers will be shared.
Further, organisers said the line-up of activities designed to inspire and entertain children, parents, and educators alike include author meet and greet, author-led book readings, book chats, story time, book exhibition, workshops for parents, mini workshops for children, STEM tent, sensory play area, face painting, chess tournament, sip n paint, writing competition winner announcement, and illustration competition winner announcement, among others.