The Ibadan Book and Arts Festival (ÌbàFest) is set to host a special prelude event featuring the renowned poet, scholar and public intellectual, Professor Niyi Osundare. Titled “Invocations of the Word: A Day of Poetry and Conversations with Niyi Osundare,” the event will take place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at RovingHeights Bookstore, Prime Mall, located on Awolowo Avenue in Bodija, Ibadan.
The festival, which celebrates African literature and cultural dialogue, has chosen Osundare as the headline prelude to its main event in October. The special day will include live readings from Osundare’s acclaimed poetry collections, followed by a thought-provoking conversation with leading journalists and literary scholars. This event is a rare opportunity for attendees to engage with one of Africa’s most celebrated literary voices.
Born to a humble farming family in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria, Osundare’s journey from peasant roots to global literary acclaim is a powerful story of resilience. For over five decades, he has been a courageous advocate for social justice and democracy. His poetry, which is deeply rooted in Yoruba oral traditions and a humanist outlook, has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in 2014. As an Emeritus Distinguished Professor of English at the University of New Orleans, USA, Osundare continues to use his pen and voice to amplify the struggles and hopes of ordinary people.
This unique event will provide insight into Osundare’s artistic vision, his lifelong pursuit of justice, and his reflections on Nigeria’s evolving cultural and political landscape. Organisers hope the event will set the stage for what promises to be one of Nigeria’s most vibrant celebrations of literature, culture and ideas.
The main Ibadan Book and Arts Festival is scheduled for October 24–25, 2025. It aims to bring together writers, artists and scholars to explore the power of storytelling and its potential to drive community and national development.
Admission to the August event is free, but with limited seating. Interested attendees can secure their spots by booking online at www.Bit.ly/OSUNDARE.
