ANA Greets Christians, Muslims on Lent, Ramadan

 ANA GREETS CHRISTIANS, MUSLIMS ON LENT, RAMADAN

By ANA Media Team

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has greeted Christians and Muslims across Nigeria as they commence the sacred seasons of Lent and Ramadan, describing the periods as significant moments of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, sacrifice, and renewed commitment to faith, humanity, and peaceful coexistence.

This was contained in a press statement jointly issued by the ANA President and General Secretary, Usman Oladipo Akanbi and Dame Joan Oji, PhD.

The Association observed that Lent and Ramadan, though rooted in different religious traditions, share enduring values of compassion, charity, humility, and reconciliation. According to ANA, these shared ideals are critical to national healing and unity, particularly at a time when collective understanding, ethical responsibility, and mutual respect are most needed in society.

ANA called on writers, artists, and cultural practitioners to draw inspiration from the lessons of these holy periods by promoting literature and creative expressions that foster dialogue, tolerance, and empathy among the nation’s diverse peoples. The Association reiterated that literature remains a powerful instrument for bridging divides and nurturing a sustainable culture of peace.

The Association further encouraged adherents to use the season to pray for the progress, stability, and prosperity of the country, while extending hands of fellowship to neighbours irrespective of religious or ethnic differences. Acts of kindness, generosity to the vulnerable, and commitment to justice, it noted, are practical ways of translating faith into nation-building.

ANA wished all Christians and Muslims a spiritually fulfilling Lenten and Ramadan experience and expressed hope that the lessons of sacrifice, renewal, and love embodied in these seasons would continue to guide citizens toward mutual respect, national unity, and a more humane and harmonious society.

ANA Constitutes Committees To Celebrate 80th Birthday of Prof. Femi Osofisan

ANA CONSTITUTES COMMITTEES TO CELEBRATE 80TH BIRTHDAY OF PROF. FEMI OSOFISAN

By ANA Media Team 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced the constitution of planning committees for the celebration of the 80th birthday of its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, scheduled for June 16, 2026. 

The milestone is being marked with a series of literary and cultural activities designed to honour the distinguished playwright, scholar, and cultural activist whose work has shaped modern African dramaturgy.

In a press statement jointly issued by ANA President, Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji PhD, the Association described the celebration as a national literary moment deserving of broad institutional collaboration and intellectual reflection. The statement noted that the committees will provide leadership, coordination, and overall supervision for the successful planning and execution of the anniversary programmes in Ibadan and Abuja.

According to ANA, the two-city structure is intended to reflect Professor Osofisan’s wide academic, theatrical, and cultural influence across Nigeria and beyond. The Ibadan and Abuja committees will work in synergy to deliver events that capture the depth of his artistic philosophy, scholarship, and mentorship of generations of writers and dramatists.

The Ibadan Event Committee will be chaired by Taslim Abiola Layonu, with Rufus Kehinde serving as Vice Chairman and Wole Adedoyin as Secretary. Other members include Phil Nwoko, Tunde Awosanmi, Freeman Okosun, and Busayo Fakunle.

The Abuja Event Committee will be chaired by Kyuka Lilymjok, with Ngozi Atululu-Ebulum serving as Secretary. Members of the committee are Chukwudi Eze, Umar Yogiza Jr., Esther Adelana, and Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir.

The central commemorative event, titled Literary Celebration Marking the 80th Birthday of Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan, will take place in June 2026 in Ibadan. The gathering is expected to bring together writers, scholars, theatre practitioners, students, and cultural stakeholders for readings, stage performances, scholarly reflections, and tributes examining Osofisan’s enduring contributions to African theatre and critical discourse.

As part of the extended celebration, the September 2026 edition of the Mbari Lecture Series will be dedicated entirely to the eminent dramatist and will hold in the Federal Capital Territory. The lecture will critically engage his dramaturgy, ideological commitments, and pioneering innovations in adapting classical forms to African socio-political realities.

ANA also disclosed that it will collaborate with the Orpheus Foundation to publish a landmark Festschrift—a scholarly volume comprising essays, reflections, and critical studies that explore Osofisan’s life, works, and intellectual legacy across disciplines and generations.

In furtherance of its commitment to nurturing emerging voices, the Association will organise the Femi Osofisan @ 80 Playwriting Workshop, designed to mentor young dramatists in the aesthetics of socially engaged theatre, experimentation, and adaptation that define the celebrant’s body of work.

Complementing the workshop, a national playwriting competition will invite new dramatic works inspired by themes central to Osofisan’s oeuvre, including justice, resistance, community, and cultural memory. Winning entries will receive national recognition, with possibilities for staging and publication.

To document the breadth of his personal and professional influence, ANA will also publish a commemorative Tributes Book featuring messages, memoirs, essays, and artistic reflections from colleagues, former students, collaborators, and admirers across the world—ensuring that the legacy of Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan is preserved for future generations of scholars and artists.

ANA Announces Dates, Theme for 2026 International Convention in Abuja

ANA ANNOUNCES DATES, THEME FOR 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN ABUJA

By ANA Media Team

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has officially released the programme highlights for its 45th (2026) International Convention, reaffirming the association’s enduring commitment to the advancement of Nigerian literature and its global relevance.

The announcement was contained in a press statement issued by the Chairman of the ANA Convention Planning Committee and Vice President of ANA, Prof. Obari Gomba.

The convention is scheduled to hold from Thursday, 29th October to Sunday, 1st November 2026, at the serene Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village. The theme for the convention, “Nigerian Literature and the Place of Nigeria in the World,” reflects ANA’s resolve to interrogate the role of Nigerian writers in shaping cultural diplomacy, global narratives, and national identity.

Activities will commence on Thursday, 29th October 2026, with participants’ arrival and registration, followed by the traditional Festival of Life—a signature event celebrating literary creativity through readings, performances, and artistic expressions. This opening segment is designed to foster camaraderie and set the tone for the intellectual engagements ahead.

On Friday, 30th October 2026, registration will continue alongside the Opening Ceremony, which will formally declare the convention underway. The day will feature a Keynote Address by a distinguished scholar, practical workshops across genres and critical areas of writing, and the much-anticipated Convention Play, underscoring the dynamic relationship between literature and performance.

Proceedings on Saturday, 31st October 2026, will include the Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members will deliberate on policy, growth, and the future direction of the association. Additional workshops will hold during the day, culminating in a Dinner and Award Night at which winners of ANA’s prestigious literary prizes will be announced and celebrated.

NEC further directed that members must process convention payments strictly through their respective State Chapters. The early bird fee is Thirty Thousand Naira (₦30,000), covering participation and annual dues, while payments made after the deadline will attract a late fee of Forty-Five Thousand Naira (₦45,000). Participation entitles members to conference materials and access to the AGM.

Non-members are welcome to attend upon payment of Forty Thousand Naira (₦40,000) early bird or Fifty-Five Thousand Naira (₦55,000) late registration, which covers conference materials but excludes participation in the AGM. All such payments must also be routed through the nearest State Chapters, which are mandated to clearly classify such participants as non-members. For the avoidance of doubt, any individual not listed in the Revalidated Register shall be regarded as a non-member.

The deadline for early payment is 30th July 2026, while late registration closes on 30th September 2026.

All payments are to be made into the official ANA account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria as follows:

Account Name: Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

Account Number: 2020543538

Bank Name: First Bank of Nigeria (FBN)

Evidence of payment must be submitted through State Chapters for proper documentation and accreditation.

ANA calls on writers, scholars, cultural advocates, and stakeholders within and outside Nigeria to prepare to participate in what promises to be a landmark gathering that will deepen conversations about Nigerian literature’s influence and Nigeria’s cultural standing in the global arena.

ANA Applauds Federal Government Over N1.2BN Copyright Levy, Restates Commitment To Authors' Welfare

 [2/15, 7:57 AM] Wole Adedoyin: ANA APPLAUDS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER N1.2BN COPYRIGHT LEVY, RESTATES COMMITMENT TO AUTHORS’ WELFARE

By ANA Media Team

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government for the approval and release of N1.2 billion as the first tranche of the long-awaited copyright levy, describing the development as a landmark achievement in the recognition, protection, and monetization of intellectual property in Nigeria.

In a press statement jointly issued by ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji PhD, the Association noted that it is one of the beneficiaries of the disbursement by virtue of its membership in the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), the nation’s recognized Collective Management Organization for reprographic rights.

ANA commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating visionary leadership through the approval and release of the fund, emphasizing that the payment signals a renewed national commitment to safeguarding the creative economy and ensuring that authors receive fair compensation for the use of their works.

The Association described the intervention as not merely financial support, but as a strong policy statement affirming that literary creativity and intellectual labour are indispensable to national development, cultural diplomacy, education, and the preservation of Nigeria’s diverse voices.

ANA also lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Copyright Commission under the leadership of Dr. John Asein for its steadfast advocacy, regulatory diligence, and sustained engagement with stakeholders that culminated in the successful implementation of the levy framework.

According to the Association, the release of this first tranche represents a turning point in the long struggle of Nigerian writers and publishers to institutionalize copyright remuneration and curb unauthorized reproduction of literary works across educational and commercial sectors.

It emphasized that the copyright levy is an internationally recognized mechanism designed to compensate authors for secondary uses of their works, particularly through photocopying, scanning, and digital reproduction—practices that have historically generated value without corresponding returns to creators.

ANA noted that the initiative strengthens the foundation for a more structured and transparent rights-management system in Nigeria, one capable of ensuring that creators are rewarded for their intellectual contributions while encouraging greater professionalism within the knowledge and publishing industries.

The Association further reiterated that the development aligns with global best practices in copyright administration, placing Nigeria on a stronger footing within the international creative ecosystem and reinforcing confidence among writers, publishers, and investors in the cultural sector.

ANA expressed optimism that sustained implementation of the levy will translate into measurable improvements in authors’ welfare, increased literary production, and renewed interest among young Nigerians to pursue writing as a viable and respected profession.

The Association therefore called for continued collaboration among government institutions, educational establishments, and industry stakeholders to ensure compliance, transparency, and the equitable distribution of royalties accruing from the use of protected works.

ANA concluded by affirming that this milestone is not an end but the beginning of a new era—one in which Nigerian authors are not only celebrated for shaping thought and culture, but are also justly rewarded for their labour, thereby strengthening the nation’s intellectual heritage and securing a sustainable future for generations of writers to come.

ANA Greets Khalid Imam On His 53rd Birthday

ANA GREETS KHALID IMAM ON HIS 53RD BIRTHDAY

By ANA Media Team 

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has congratulated Khalid Imam, Founder and Curator of All Poets Network, on the occasion of his 53rd birthday, celebrating his remarkable contributions to poetry, literary advocacy, and cultural development.

The felicitation was conveyed in a press statement jointly issued by ANA President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, and the General Secretary, Dame Joan Oji, who commended Imam for his unwavering dedication to nurturing literary creativity and building platforms that support poets and writers within Nigeria and internationally.

ANA noted that Imam serves as Chairman, Board of Trustees of Poetry Renaissance Trust and was the pioneer Festival Director of the Nigeria Poetry Festival, where he has significantly advanced the visibility and appreciation of poetry as a dynamic art form and instrument of social engagement. Through All Poets Network International, he has fostered a thriving global community of poets and literary enthusiasts.

The Association further highlighted his participation in the 2017 literary exchange programme organised by the Wole Soyinka Foundation in Lebanon, describing him as a bilingual writer and multiple award-winning poet, playwright, and arts administrator whose works have been published across several continents.

ANA praised Imam’s authorship of over two dozen books in diverse genres, as well as his commitment to sharing numerous unpublished poems in both English and Hausa on social media platforms. The Association also recognised his editorial contributions to anthologies such as Corona Blues: A Bilingual Anthology of Nigerian Poetry, Kwaraption: An Engausa Poetry Anthology, and Tulu: A Multilingual Anthology of Northern Nigerian New Writings, wishing him continued good health and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

ANA Announces Landmark Events To Honour Prof. Femi Osofisan At 80

 ANA ANNOUNCES LANDMARK EVENTS TO HONOUR PROF. FEMI OSOFISAN AT 80

By ANA Media Team

The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced a series of landmark activities to celebrate the 80th birthday of eminent dramatist and scholar Femi Osofisan, whose contributions to literature and theatre have left an enduring imprint on Nigeria, Africa, and the global cultural landscape.

The announcement was contained in a press statement issued by the General Secretary of the Association, Dame Joan Oji, PhD, who noted that the celebration is intended to recognise a lifetime devoted to creative excellence, cultural engagement, and intellectual leadership.

The playwright, who will attain the milestone age in June 2026, is widely regarded as one of the most prolific voices in African dramaturgy—an accomplished playwright, poet, novelist, critic, actor, director, songwriter, and activist. He currently serves as Chairman of ANA’s Board of Trustees, continuing decades of commitment to the growth of Nigerian literature and the nurturing of younger generations of writers.

A distinguished academic, he taught Drama for many years at the University of Ibadan, where he mentored countless theatre practitioners, scholars, and cultural workers. Beyond the classroom, he has remained actively engaged in directing plays, writing creative and critical works, and contributing to national discourse through essays and newspaper columns.

With a creative output that includes more than sixty plays, several poetry collections, novels, and scholarly essays, his works have consistently explored themes of justice, resistance, history, and communal responsibility. His early recognition included winning the first ANA Literature Award in 1983 for Morountodun and Other Plays, followed by another major award for Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest in 1993, while his poetry collection Minted Coins earned both Commonwealth and national honours.

Over the decades, he has received numerous distinctions, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit in the Humanities and international recognition for his role in advancing literature as a vehicle for human rights, social critique, and cultural dialogue. His works have been staged and studied across continents, affirming his place among the foremost interpreters of African realities through theatre.

His cultural leadership has also extended to public service, including his tenure as General Manager and Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Lagos and as President of PEN Nigeria, where he championed artistic freedom and professional solidarity among writers.

A founding member of the editorial board of The Guardian, he has played a defining role in shaping literary journalism in Nigeria. Many of his dramatic works creatively reinterpret classical texts within African contexts, demonstrating his innovative fusion of global traditions with indigenous histories and performance aesthetics.

To honour this extraordinary legacy, ANA has scheduled a Grand Literary Celebration to be held in Ibadan in June 2026. The event will bring together writers, scholars, theatre practitioners, students, and cultural stakeholders for readings, stage performances, and scholarly reflections examining his enduring influence on African dramaturgy and critical thought.

Further commemorative activities will include a special edition of the Mbari Lecture Series in September 2026, as well as a collaborative Festschrift to be published with the Orpheus Foundation. The celebratory year will also feature a national playwriting competition, a mentorship workshop for emerging dramatists, and a commemorative tributes volume gathering reflections from colleagues, former students, and admirers around the world.

ANA described the Osofisan @ 80 celebration as more than a birthday observance, noting that it represents a national literary milestone and an opportunity to reaffirm the transformative power of art in society. 

The Association therefore called on its members, the academic community, creative professionals, and the general public to participate actively in the programmes lined up to celebrate a towering figure whose life’s work continues to inspire critical engagement, cultural pride, and artistic excellence.

ANA Celebrating an Icon @ 80: Programmes Unveiled In Honour of Prof. Femi Osofisan

 ANA CELEBRATING AN ICON @ 80: PROGRAMMES UNVEILED IN HONOUR OF PROF. FEMI OSOFISAN

Come June 2026, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan will clock 80 years of age. Femi Osofisan is an internationally lauded playwright, scholar, poet, novelist, actor, director, songwriter, and activist, and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). 

He has had a distinguished academic career, having taught Drama at the University of Ibadan, where he mentored generations of theatre practitioners and scholars. Beyond academia, he has remained deeply engaged in directing plays, performing, writing reviews, poems, novels, and newspaper columns.

Osofisan has written and produced more than sixty plays, alongside five collections of poetry, four novels, and numerous essay collections. The very first ANA Literature Award in 1983 was conferred on him for Morountodun and Other Plays, while he later won another ANA award for drama with Yungba-Yungba and the Dance Contest in 1993. His poetry collection Minted Coins, published under the pseudonym Okinba Launko in 1987, won both the Regional Commonwealth Poetry Award for First Collection and the ANA Poetry Prize.

His long list of honours includes the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service Prize for Independence Anniversary Essay, Officier de l’Ordre Nationale de Mérite (France, 1999), the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in the Humanities (2004), the Fonlon-Nichols Prize for Literature and Human Rights (2006), and Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of the Arts. He was also a finalist for the prestigious Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2000.

Professor Osofisan has served the cultural sector in numerous capacities, including as General Manager and Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Lagos (1988–1990), President of PEN Nigeria (2004–2010), and drama consultant to national and international cultural initiatives such as MAMSER and the Cultural Olympiad linked to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. His works have been staged globally, and he has held teaching and research engagements in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.

A founding member and literary editor of The Guardian newspaper’s pioneer editorial board, he also established CentreSTAGE–Africa and earlier edited the poetry chapbook Opon Ifa, which evolved into Opon Ifa Review. Among his prose works are Ma’ami, Abigail, Pirates of Hurt, and Cordelia, originally written as newspaper serials; Ma’ami was later adapted into a film in 2011. Many of his plays creatively reinterpret classical works, including Women of Owu (after Euripides’ Trojan Women) and Tegonni: An African Antigone.

In recognition of this towering legacy and his immense contributions to Nigerian, African, and global literature, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has earmarked a series of landmark programmes to celebrate his 80th Birthday Anniversary.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ANA’S PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR OSOFISAN @ 80

GRAND LITERARY CELEBRATION (JUNE 2026)

The central commemorative event, titled Literary Celebration Marking the 80th Birthday of Emeritus Prof. Femi Osofisan, will take place in June 2026 in Ibadan. The gathering will bring together writers, scholars, theatre practitioners, students, and cultural stakeholders for readings, performances, scholarly reflections, and tributes examining Osofisan’s enduring influence on African dramaturgy, literary scholarship, and cultural activism.

MBARI LECTURE SERIES (SEPTEMBER 2026 EDITION)

The September edition of the prestigious Mbari Lecture Series will be dedicated entirely to Professor Osofisan and will hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The lecture will critically engage his dramaturgy, ideological commitments, and innovations in adapting classical forms to African socio-political realities.

COLLABORATIVE FESTSCHRIFT PUBLICATION WITH ORPHEUS FOUNDATION

ANA, in collaboration with the Orpheus Foundation, will publish a landmark Festschrift—a scholarly volume of essays, reflections, and critical studies celebrating Osofisan’s life, works, and intellectual impact across disciplines.

FEMI OSOFISAN @ 80 PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP

To nurture emerging voices, ANA will organise a specialised playwriting workshop for young dramatists. The workshop will transmit Osofisan’s aesthetics of socially engaged theatre, experimentation, and adaptation, ensuring continuity of his artistic philosophy.

FEMI OSOFISAN @ 80 PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

A national playwriting competition will invite new dramatic works inspired by themes central to Osofisan’s oeuvre—justice, resistance, community, and cultural memory. Winning entries will receive recognition and possible staging opportunities.

TRIBUTES BOOK IN HONOUR OF PROF. FEMI OSOFISAN AT 80

A commemorative Tributes Book will assemble messages, essays, memoirs, and artistic reflections from colleagues, former students, collaborators, and admirers worldwide, capturing the personal and professional reach of the literary icon.

ANA describes the Osofisan @ 80 celebration not merely as a birthday observance but as a national literary milestone—an opportunity to honour a dramatist whose work consistently interrogates power, amplifies the voices of the marginalised, and demonstrates the transformative role of art in society.

Members of ANA, the academic community, theatre professionals, students, and the general public are encouraged to watch out for announcements and actively participate in the programmes lined up throughout the celebratory year, as Nigeria and the world salute one of Africa’s most prolific and influential men of letters.

Signed:

Dame Joan Oji PhD,

General Secretary 

Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)