ANA Announces Panel Discussion on 'Reconstructing Civilisation Through Books' At 2026 NIBF

ANA ANNOUNCES PANEL DISCUSSION ON “RECONSTRUCTING CIVILISATION THROUGH BOOKS” AT 2026 NIBF

ANA Media Team

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced plans to host a special panel discussion and focused presentations featuring four distinguished guests at the 2026 edition of the Authors’ Groove during the Nigeria International Book Fair. 

The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Cinema Hall II of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos. Themed “Reconstructing Civilisation Through Books,” the session is expected to highlight the role of literature in shaping social values, preserving culture, and advancing intellectual engagement.

The Authors’ Groove, a major feature of the annual book fair, will hold from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will bring together literary professionals, publishers, academics, and readers for an engaging conversation on the importance of books in rebuilding communities and strengthening societal consciousness. The event is designed to create a platform for meaningful dialogue around literature’s influence on education, creativity, and national development.

The programme will be hosted under the leadership of Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, President of ANA, who serves as Chief Host. Featured panelists include Abiodun Babatunde, Chief Executive Officer of KT Publishers; Amarachukwu Chimeke, founder of Purple Shelves; Dr. Olusola Awelewa of the University of Lagos; and Oladele Awojobi of Lagos State University.

The event will also feature Dr. Olatunbosun Taofeek, Chairman of the ANA Lagos Chapter, as host, while discussions will be moderated by Nora Anya. Organizers say the lineup of speakers reflects a broad representation of voices within the literary ecosystem, creating room for diverse perspectives on publishing, readership development, and literary sustainability.

According to the organizers, the Authors’ Groove promises to serve as a vibrant gathering point for book exhibition, signing sessions, presentations, networking opportunities, cultural displays, and literary conversations. 

The programme is expected to attract writers, publishers, students, and literary enthusiasts who share a commitment to strengthening reading culture and promoting literary excellence across Nigeria and beyond.

Beyond the Authors’ Groove, ANA will maintain an exhibition stand throughout the duration of the book fair, where it will host daily literary clinics for aspiring authors and showcase notable publications by members and invited guest writers. 

The fair, organized by the Nigeria Book Fair Trust, of which ANA is a council member and constituent body, continues to provide an important platform for literary engagement. ANA members and literary stakeholders in and around Lagos have been encouraged to attend the Authors’ Groove and participate fully in the activities at the fairground.