When the Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) first opened its doors a decade ago, its ambition was larger than literature. It sought to create a gathering where books could spark conversations, where ideas could travel across disciplines and where the written word could sit comfortably beside music, theatre and performance.
Ten years later, as the festival celebrates the landmark edition in Lagos, that founding vision remains firmly intact, even as the event itself has grown far beyond its modest beginnings.
Welcoming guests to the anniversary edition on Thursday, Gbemi Shasore, Chief Executive Officer of Quramo Publishing Limited, reflected on the journey of a festival that began as a one-day event but steadily expanded in response to growing public interest.
What started as a single day of literary engagement evolved into a programme spanning two, three and sometimes four days, driven by an audience hungry for conversation, learning and creative exchange.
“It is indeed a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 10th Quramo Festival of Words,” she said, opening a speech that was at once a celebration and a reaffirmation of the festival’s founding ideals.
Looking back to the origins of QFest, Shasore recalled how the organisers deliberately set out to create something that extended beyond the traditional boundaries of a literary festival.
“When we started a decade ago, we wanted to create a gathering that transcended books,” she said. “We aimed to establish a vibrant space where people could discover something new by integrating the arts, including theatre, music, and performance, alongside stimulating conversations with writers and other brilliant minds, because everyone has a story to tell.”
That vision quickly found an audience. What began as a single-day event expanded steadily as public interest grew.
“We started off with just one day, but soon people wanted more and we were eager to do more, so we expanded the programme to two days, then three, and sometimes four,” she said. “The programme grew because there was a thirst for knowledge and conversation.”
For the festival’s convener, QFest’s story is deeply intertwined with that of Lagos itself. The event has been held at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels and Suites since its inception, a choice rooted in geography and history.
“Since its inception, QFest has been held here at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels and Suites. We have always chosen this location for a reason: it is close to the Kuramo Waters, and Kuramo has always had a special connection to us,” she explained.
Providing a brief history of the area’s evolution, she noted that the festival’s name is connected to Kuramo, an ancient waterfront settlement whose name evolved through several forms before becoming associated with Lagos.
“What began as a fishing settlement has since grown into the economic and cultural pulse of West Africa, with people from different cultures converging to prosper,” she said.
That history, she argued, mirrors the mission of QFest.
“There is something fitting about that for us at Quramo, because QFest is also a place where people come together,” Shasore said.
“People from different backgrounds, writers, readers, artists, thinkers and audiences, convene to share stories and ideas.
“So, in a way, this room has become more than a venue for the festival. It has become part of its story,” she added.
At the heart of her address was a passionate defence of the power of language and storytelling.
“At the core of QFest has always been a simple belief: words matter,” she declared.
Elaborating on that philosophy, she said: “We believe that words germinate ideas, challenge assumptions and, ultimately, inspire change.
“They open up conversations, allowing us to see an issue from another point of view. Sometimes, they even provide the courage for someone to finally tell a much-needed truth,” she added.
That conviction, according to her, led directly to the establishment of the Quramo Writers’ Prize, one of the festival’s flagship initiatives.
“This realisation is why the Quramo Writers’ Prize was conceived as an integral part of the festival,” she said. “Another salient reason was to open the door for these writers, encourage them to keep writing and developing their craft, and ultimately to give their stories a chance to travel by publishing the winning manuscript.”
Over the years, the prize has grown beyond Nigeria’s borders, attracting submissions from across Africa.
“Ever since the Quramo Writers’ Prize started, the stories haven’t just been coming from Nigeria. They’ve been arriving from all over the continent,” she said.
Shasore cited the achievements of Joan Wawira Thatiah of Kenya, who was first runner-up in 2019, and Arthur Gabriel Yak of South Sudan, who won the prize in 2024, as evidence of the competition’s expanding continental footprint.
The festival has similarly attracted a distinguished roster of literary, media and cultural figures.
According to Shasore, previous editions featured writers such as Sefi Atta, Molara Wood, [Eghosa Imasuen, Toni Kan and Mukoma wa Ngugi, alongside film and media personalities including Joke Silva, Femi Odugbemi, BB Shasore, Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo and Kadaria Ahmed.
The 2026 edition promises an equally impressive line-up. Participants include former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, who, unfortunately, could not make it to the opening day, historian and lawyer Supo Shasore, author Barnaby Phillips, novelist Vamba Sherif, literary advocate James Murua and writer Zukiswa Wanner, among others.
Turning to the programme, Shasore noted that this year’s conversations would begin with a re-examination of one of the most consequential events in Nigerian history.
“We begin this year’s edition with history, re-examining the Nigerian Civil War, its impact and the question of national identity,” she said.
She revealed that Obasanjo would deliver the keynote address before participating in a fireside discussion with Shasore.
“This continues the conversation about the Nigerian Civil War we began last year,” she added.
Beyond history, the festival will tackle a broad range of contemporary issues.
“We will talk about homecoming, culture, and community,” she said.
“We will take a look at the cost of building a stronger reading culture and literary ecosystem.
“African writers will share their experiences of writing and storytelling. We will examine the Benin Bronzes and questions of African heritage, and explore digital publishing and how it is changing the way we read and tell stories.”
Responding to audience demand, the festival will also revisit mental health discussions.
“Due to popular demand, we will be revisiting the issue of mental health by having a conversation on depression,” she said, noting that poetry sessions, workshops and a film screening would also feature prominently in the programme.
As she drew her address to a close, Shasore shifted from reflection to gratitude, acknowledging the numerous individuals who have helped shape the festival over the years.
“QFest belongs to everyone who has given a piece of themselves to make it what it has evolved into,” she said.
“So today, I want to say a very big thank you to the writers, readers, speakers, moderators, facilitators, performers, partners, colleagues, and all those who have worked behind the scenes to make each edition happen.”
She ended with a warm welcome to attendees and a reminder of the theme underpinning this milestone edition.
“Once again, welcome to the tenth edition of Quramo Festival of Words,” she said. “Welcome to ‘Pieces of Us’.”