Register for the Benue Book and Arts Festival (BBAAF) by CLICKING HERE.

BBAAF is in its 3^rd year after having its maiden edition in 2019 and comes up this year from 5th to 7th August 2021. The event will hold virtually via Zoom and social media channels on 5^th August 2021 and in-person in tentatively at the Benue State University, Makurdi, on 6^th and 7^th August 2021. The opening ceremony starts at 9:30AM on the 6^th with registration, while official events start by 10:30AM.

The festival as a top literary festival among other key festivals in Nigeria that have been on for over a decade. Besides having literary workshops and keynote addresses, the festival comes up every year with a national contest in different art categories. Guests at the festival have included H.E. Dr Eunice Ortom, Professor Moses Tsenongu, Professor Dul Johnson, Dr Maria Ajima, Pa Isaac Yongo, internationally acclaimed sensation Chuma Nwokolo, superstar spoken word artist Bash Amuneni, T. J. Benson, past Presidents and Chairmen of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Charles Iornumbe, Igba Ogbole, Chinua Ezenwa-Ohaeto, Edentu Oroso, Terseer Sam Baki, Thaddeus Naor, Sam Ogabidu,  Amara Chimeka, Alexander Emmanuel Ochogwu, Anselm Sesugh Ngutsav, Joshua Agbo, Umar Yogiza, Bentex Torlafia, Maik Ortserga, amongst other notable officials, development workers, commissioners, and writers from the length and breadth of the country. This year’s edition is put together by SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative, Eunice Spring of Life Foundation, Writers’ League of the Benue State University, the University of Sussex, Sussex Writes, and Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative, Sankofa Initiative, SEVHAGE Publishers and Purple Shelves publishers, among others.

This year’s edition of BBAAF 2021 is themed BRIDGES BEYOND BORDERS: ART BEYOND CONVENTION and will examine how art can function as a nexus between humanity and development and the concept of freedom. It looks at art in its various forms or individually as bridges beyond borders (spatial, physical, geographic, emotional etc). Discussions will also revolve around mental health, sexual and gender-based violence, the role of art, artists and scholars in changing society. It will feature a keynote address, panel discussions, drama, a secondary school competition and a spoken word poetry slam competition featuring outstanding poets from all over Nigeria and judged by multiple award-winning poet, Bash Amuneni.

There will be three keynote lectures, two virtual ones and a physical one. The world-famous leading poet and academic Professor Niyi Osundare and NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature 2017 winner Dr Soji Cole will deliver the virtual addresses on Wednesday 4^th and Thursday 5^th August 2021. The physical keynote address will be delivered by development champion and literary critic Professor Mbaiver Nyitse at the physical opening ceremony on the 6^th August at the Theatre Arts Complex of the Benue State University, Makurdi.

Confirmed authors this year include multiple award-winning scholars and writers, Professor Moses Tsenongu of and Dr Maria Ajima of the Benue State University, Makurdi; Maik Ortserga, General Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors; Sam Ogabidu, writer and literary administrator; travel journalist, Pelu Awofeso; South African writer, Abigail George, and Eric Ngalle Charles, celebrated Cameroonian author. Others are the outstanding writers Servio Gbadamosi, Daisy Odey, Saddiq Dzukogi, Romeo Oriogun, Star Zahra Okpe, Agatha Agema, and Aondosoo Labe.

As we celebrate literature in our beloved Benue state, we will be glad to have you join us even as we continually change the narrative of our land by showcasing it for the beauty that it holds. We look forward to warmly welcoming you at the festival.

With our very best wishes,

S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema and Oko Owi Ocho
Festival Directors

[Please send inquiries, registration and all to benuebookandartsfestival@gmail.com and/or sevhage@gmail.com. You can also call +2347030285995; +2349047172347]