In line with its commitment to promoting literacy and nurturing a lifelong love of reading among children, the Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) is set to return for its seventh edition on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at UPBEAT Recreation Center in Lekki, Lagos. As Nigeria’s first and largest children’s book festival, ACBF, continues to provide a platform that amplifies indigenous authors, showcases diverse stories, and inspires young readers across the country.

With the 2025 theme, “Book An Adventure,” the festival celebrates the idea that every book is a journey—into imagination, history, culture, and self-discovery. The theme underscores the role of storytelling in helping children explore new worlds, ask bold questions, and see themselves as active participants in shaping the future.

This focus also directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by advancing inclusive learning, amplifying diverse cultural voices, and expanding equal access to literacy opportunities for all children. This year’s edition will bring the theme to life through a diverse programme of activities, including author-led book readings, book chats, featured books, story time, book exhibitions, a chess tournament, a young authors' spotlight, insightful sessions for parents and teachers, and professional workshops for writers, illustrators, and publishers.

Speaking on this year’s theme and significance of the festival, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, renowned author and convener of the Akada Children's Book Festival commented:
“Adventure lies at the heart of every great story, and this year, we want children to discover reading as a doorway to endless possibilities. ‘Book An Adventure’ is more than a theme — it’s an invitation for young readers to explore knowledge, culture, and imagination. Through the Akada Children’s Book Festival, we nurture curiosity, celebrate diverse voices, and show families and educators how a single book can spark a lifelong journey. Since our launch in 2019, the festival has grown year after year, inspiring writers and fostering initiatives that promote children’s literature. The Akada Children's Book Festival continues to champion storytelling and literacy, ensuring every child can experience the joy and adventure found in books.”

This year's festival will feature more than 20 original children's books. Notable titles include The Invincible Will by Amadi Njoku; Bisola and the Colourful Jars by Lola Odeyale Ayo-Fashida; The Magical Market of Maraba by Solape Azazi; I Wish I Could Fly by Ekanem Selia; The Water School by Ogbu Eme; Tommy Can Win Too by Ayodeji Anifowose; Sleep Tight Friends by Eniola Olajobi; A New School Experience by Eshema Momoh; The Talking Mushroom and Other Stories by Chinenyenwa Ibekaku; and The Boy who Grew Backwards by Kanyisola Balogun-Kuku; among others.

Ogbu Eme, Author of The Water School, one of the featured books in this year’s edition underpinned the importance of the festival for early childhood education, saying "The Akada Children’s Book Festival is like a well tended nursery where every child can bloom".

The Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) is an annual event that provides a visible platform for the work of indigenous authors and encourages broad public engagement in children’s books and audiences for both Nigerian and international literature. The festival’s name, Akada, was derived from the Yoruba word which means a lover of literacy and books.

Solape Azazi, Author of The Magical Market of Maraba, said "The Akada Children’s Book Festival reminds us that every child deserves to see themselves in a story—and to know their voice belongs in the world".

Since its launch in 2019, ACBF has drawn over 10,000 attendees and donated more than 5,000 books, creating wider access to quality reading materials. Beyond introducing children to African stories and authors, the festival also empowers parents and educators to nurture a love for reading, embrace shared reading practices, and inspire the next generation of African storytellers. Beyond sparking children's interest in African stories and authors, ACBF also empowers parents and educators to recognize the importance of nurturing a love for reading, reading aloud together, and writing African stories for the next generation.

The event is free for all participants. Registration is available here. You can also follow @akadafestival on social media for updates.