Book O’Clock, a literary nonprofit in Sokoto, Nigeria, dedicated to promoting literacy and African literature, is set to host a groundbreaking global webinar in collaboration with the Erasmus Mundus International Master’s in Children’s Literature, Media, and Cultural Entrepreneurship (CLMCE).
The webinar, titled “The Child in African Literature,” will take place on Friday, 7 November 2025, from 4–6pm GMT, via Zoom. The panel discussion aims to spotlight the unique role of children in African storytelling traditions, the challenges facing children’s publishing on the continent, and the innovative interventions that are reshaping its future.
“African children’s literature is often dismissed as simplistic or unworthy of critical attention,” noted Uchenna Emelife, Director of Book O’Clock, postgraduate scholar of children’s literature, and panel moderator. Emelife argues that this view is ironic because African literature is deeply rooted in oral storytelling traditions, many of which were—and still are—stories for children. “The place to begin is with the child, to whom our stories have long been directed,” Emelife added.
The panel will feature leading voices actively reshaping the field from across Africa and the diaspora:
Thembalethu Shangase (South Africa): Executive Director, Book Dash
Namse Peter Udosen (Nigeria): Children’s Author, Scholar, and Educator
Louisa Kiwana Olafuyi (Uganda/UK): Co-founder, Kunda Kids
Farida Ladipo-Ajayi (Nigeria): Bookseller and Founder, The Bookworm Café
Dr Elodie Malanda (Congo/Netherlands): Assistant Professor of Children’s Literature, Tilburg University
These thought leaders will examine the contribution of African children’s literature to global book markets and how it is disrupting, enriching, and complicating dominant narratives in children’s literature scholarship.
The event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Founded in 2020 and formally registered in 2023, the Book O’Clock Literary Foundation is a youth-led organization based in Sokoto, Nigeria. It operates at the intersection of education, culture, and social change, with a mission to nurture a culture of reading, storytelling, and creative engagement among children and young people. Notable projects include the Sokoto Book and Arts Festival and the Book O’Clock Prize.
The Children’s Literature, Media, and Cultural Entrepreneurship (CLMCE) is an Erasmus Mundus International Master’s program, co-funded by the European Union. The program explores the relationship between children’s and young adult texts and media across diverse educational, social, and cultural frameworks. Host institutions include the University of Glasgow, Aarhus University, Tilburg University, Nantes University, and the University of Wroclaw.
