Ibadan is set to host one of Africa’s biggest authors, Professor Niyi Osundare, on the 16th of August 2025 at RovingHeights Bookstore, Prime Mall, 33 Awolowo Avenue, Opposite Domino’s Pizza, Bodija, Ibadan by 2pm. The event is a headline event for the Ibadan Book and Arts Festival (ÌbàFest) and will feature live readings from Professor Osundare’s poetry collections, followed by a thought-provoking conversation with leading journalists and scholars. It is a prelude to other events leading to the Ibadan Book and Arts Festival holding on 24th and 25th, October 2025.
Professor Niyi Osundare is a man that needs no introduction in the Nigerian cultural and African literary space. He is easily one of Africa’s most recognisable poets and sages. He is an Emeritus Distinguished Professor of English at the University of New Orleans, USA, and a celebrated poet, essayist, playwright, columnist, and public intellectual. He is an outspoken advocate for social justice and democracy, a mentor of repute, and a kind man of humble disposition.
He was born to a humble farming family in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria, and rose through the years from peasant roots to global literary acclaim embodies resilience and purpose. His poetry is rich in African, particularly Yoruba oral traditions and deeply humanist in outlook. It has earned him numerous awards, including the prestigious Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2014, among countless other local and international honours.
About the Event
This event will showcase Professor Osundare’s enduring relevance as one of Africa’s foremost voices in literature and public discourse. Through live readings, critical discussions, and audience engagement, attendees will gain insight into his artistic vision, his lifelong pursuit of justice, and his reflections on Nigeria’s cultural and political landscape.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 2 PM
- Venue: RovingHeights Bookstore, Prime Mall, 33 Awolowo Avenue, Opposite Domino’s Pizza, Bodija, Ibadan.
- Admission: Free (Limited seats available. Please book your seat here: www.Bit.ly/OSUNDARE).
About ÌbàFest
The Ibadan Book and Arts Festival (ÌbàFest) is an annual celebration of African literature, creativity, and cultural dialogue. Rooted in Ibadan—a city renowned for its literary and cultural heritage—ÌbàFest brings together writers, artists, scholars, and cultural leaders to explore the power of stories and the potential of the Creative and Cultural Industries to transform education, community, and national development. The inaugural edition of the festival is scheduled to hold on Friday and Saturday, October 24–25, 2025.
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