The inaugural Abuja Festival of Literature and Ideas (AFLI) has opened in Abuja, bringing together writers, intellectuals, and cultural figures to discuss literature, politics, technology, peace, and society’s future. The two-day festival, organised by the Book Buzz Foundation in collaboration with the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and supported by European diplomatic missions, seeks to promote cultural exchange and create a platform for conversations on issues shaping Nigeria and the world.
Speaking at the opening, Director of the Book Buzz Foundation, Ms. Lola Shoneyin, said Abuja deserved a world-class literary festival because culture and creativity were essential to the development of any city.
Shoneyin, who recalled living and working in Abuja for three years, said the city had an enthusiastic cultural audience but needed more platforms to promote literature, creativity and the exchange of ideas. She said the festival was designed to bring international thinkers and global voices together while maintaining a distinctly Nigerian identity. Shoneyin explained that the festival’s logo paid tribute to Ladi Kwali, the renowned Nigerian potter from Kwali, whose work combined traditional Gbagyi techniques with modern studio pottery and gained international recognition.
She said the choice reflected the festival’s ambition to celebrate Nigerian creativity while encouraging engagement with ideas from across the world.
According to her, the programme covers a broad range of issues, including social divisions, freedom, artificial intelligence, the internet, science, poetry and the future of cultural expression. She added that the festival would also provide a platform for young people from Northern Nigeria to express their aspirations and for women writers from the region to strengthen their presence in the literary landscape.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the festival was an important step towards expanding cultural activities beyond Lagos, particularly in Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
Mignot said the EU and its member states viewed culture as a means of promoting mutual understanding, shared values and economic opportunities for creative professionals and institutions.
He commended Shoneyin and the Book Buzz Foundation for developing the festival and acknowledged the contributions of the Italian, Spanish and Swedish diplomatic missions.
The ambassador said the EU had continued to support cultural initiatives across Nigeria, including film festivals, creative industry events and programmes promoting collaboration between African and European artists.
He also highlighted the EU’s support for the Nigerian Picture Book Project, which recently unveiled 20 picture books created by Nigerian writers and illustrators for children across the country.
Mignot said the EU was expanding its support for Africa’s creative economy through initiatives designed to empower artists and encourage cultural partnerships between Africa and Europe.
On the festival programme, he welcomed Sergio Jaramillo, Colombia’s former High Commissioner for Peace, describing his participation as an opportunity to strengthen intellectual and cultural links between Africa and Latin America.
Jaramillo, one of the figures involved in Colombia’s peace process, was expected to share insights from his experience in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, as well as perspectives relevant to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The ambassador also highlighted the role of literature and ideas in confronting destructive ideologies and building a more peaceful society.
“Literature and ideas can also give us the inspiration, the strength and the moral resources to build a better world together,” he said.
A panel discussion featuring Jaramillo and Richard Ali explored issues surrounding peace and conflict, drawing on Colombia’s experience and the challenges of achieving lasting peace. The festival also featured various book conversations, poetry, other panel discusions, adding to the programme’s exploration of literature, ideas and public life.
The organisers said the festival was intended to establish Abuja as a stronger centre for literary and intellectual engagement, while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and public dialogue.
