Nigeria Literary Scene Comes Alive at Abuja Book City Holiday Event

The Abuja Book City 2025 Project a Special Holiday Book Event, held on December 21, 2024, brought together book enthusiasts and literary figures in a vibrant Zoom session themed, “What Are You Reading This Holiday? Let’s Talk About It!” Organized by the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP) in collaboration with the National Library of Nigeria, the Association of Nigerian Authors, and Rovingheights Books, the event showcased authors from various genres. They discussed their favorite reads and recommended books for the holidays.

The NBRP president, Mr. Richard Mammah, opened the event with a compelling speech. He emphasized the transformative power of reading, illustrating how literacy could address critical issues like food security, education gaps, and the rising emigration trend. He also paid tribute to victims of a recent stampede in the West, highlighting the importance of reading as a tool for building resilience and progress.

The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Rasheedat Sadiq an educator and author, invited guest speakers to share insights into their current reading choices, their learnings so far, and their plans for holiday reading. Each speaker brought unique perspectives, making the discussion enriching and thought-provoking. Fun trivia introduced by Dr. Sadiq on the names of authors matched to their book titles made the virtual program exciting and engaging.

Ejiro Umukoro, popularly known as Lady E, shared insights from her work as a media trainer, coach mentor and activist. Having mentored notable figures in the Nigeria entertainment industry such as Timi Dakolo and comedian Mark Angel, she described her process of identifying what she terms the “Gift Essence” factor—helping individuals understand their deepest passions and psychological profiles she gleaned from reading. She explained how reading and research have been pivotal in her work, citing examples from her organisation , LightRay! Academy where she designed advanced psychographic analyses to guide young entrepreneurs in the media and entertainment ecosystem.

Lady E shared from one of her preferences in non-fiction books, such as The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham, which profoundly shaped her understanding of African history and how it has been inadequately documented by Africans themselves. She criticized the poor reading culture in Nigeria, linking it to societal escapism and limited intellectual growth, while advocating for more engagement with diverse literary works beyond religious texts.

Lady E also highlighted Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari as an inspiring read, particularly for its exploration of human behavior and societal evolution. She lamented the lack of a comprehensive study of Nigerian identity, noting that even institutions like the Nigerian Institute of Journalism lacked a detailed compendium on this subject. This, she argued, reflected a broader intellectual decline in the country.

She also shared her own literary achievements, including her bestselling book, DISTORTION, both in paperback and kindle versions, which has garnered significant international attention, inspired her ongoing work on a sequel.

Other speakers also enriched the session with their recommendations and reflections. Dr. Chido Onumah, a journalist and activist, discussed his fascination with themes of nationhood and federalism. He highlighted works such as The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, The Fishermen, and An Orchestra of Minorities, all of which explore complex narratives tied to Nigerian and Igbo cosmology.

Similarly, Adedotun Eyinade shared insights from Never Quite the Insider by Keith Richards and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, which delves into the effects of technology and social media on mental health. He also recommended Intermezzo by Sally Rooney and Adventures of a Guerrilla Journalist by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, along with a range of business and historical fiction titles, including Fireflies on the Lagoon by Tunde Leye.

Dr. Nyaknno Osso, a biographer and librarian who help set up the Obasanjo Presidential Library, emphasized his passion for biographies and autobiographies, sharing his experience with The First Man: The Life of Neil Armstrong. He also spoke about his own autobiography, Against All Odds: My Testimony, and described his vast library in Gwarinpa, which boasts one of the largest collections of biographies globally.

The event served as a testament to the power of literature to inspire, educate, and connect people across diverse interests, reinforcing the importance of a vibrant reading culture for societal growth and personal development. The event ended with a special commendation from Chief Loye, the Chairman of the Abuja Book City.