Kenyan-American writer Mukoma wa Ngugi and Nigerian screen legend Joke Silva will headline the ninth edition of the Quramo Festival of Words (QFest 2025), scheduled to hold from October 2–5 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Organised annually by Quramo Publishers, QFest has become one of Nigeria’s foremost cultural gatherings, offering audiences an eclectic mix of inspiring conversations, book chats, workshops, spoken word performances, film screenings, and the prestigious Quramo Writers’ Prize.
This year’s theme, “A Brave New World,” reflects the festival’s mission to push the boundaries of thought, creativity, and national reflection.
The festival will welcome Dr. Mukoma wa Ngugi, Associate Professor of Literatures in English at Cornell University, New York, and son of the late African literary icon, Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o. Mukoma will lead a masterclass in creative writing and feature in “Up Close and Personal,” QFest’s signature no-holds-barred conversation series.
QFest Convener, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, described Mukoma’s presence as a symbolic honour to his late father. “This year is remarkable for us as we bring Mukoma wa Ngugi to Nigeria to share his insights, and in so doing, pay tribute to his father, one of Africa’s greatest literary patriarchs,” she said.
Celebrated actress Joke Silva will also feature prominently, headlining this year’s Q-Conversation, a platform designed to explore the personal and professional journeys of creative icons.
One of the festival’s highlights is a panel titled “961 Days, Brothers at War – Never Again: The Nigerian Civil War.” The discussion aims to confront Nigeria’s lingering wounds from the conflict and explore pathways to healing and reconciliation.
“This advocacy panel of national and even global dimension is carefully curated to kick-start a national healing discourse,” Shasore said. “At QFest, we believe in the power of words to reconcile, to heal, and to build a true nation.”
The panel will feature renowned voices such as war historians Dr. Akintunde Akinwumi and Max Siollun; Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation newspaper, Sam Omatseye; Prof. Dul Johnson of the University of Jos; poet and playwright Malam Denja Abdullahi; novelist Chigozie Obioma; and award-winning poet Tade Ipadeola.
The four-day cultural fiesta will open with workshops on literary excellence and filmmaking, led by masters including veteran filmmaker Fidelis Duker, cultural journalist James Murua, Irish poet Stephen James Smith, and Nigerian creatives such as Oyin Talabi, Dele Sijuade and Oriyomi Adebare.
The challenges of film distribution and shrinking global platforms (curated by the iREP International Documentary Film Festival).
Migration and displacement, exploring the “japa” phenomenon with authors Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor, Silva Nze Ifedigbo, and Samuel Monye.
Children’s literature under the theme “Leaving a Legacy: Raising a Generation”, featuring Olubunmi Familoni, Chiazor-Enenmor, Ayo Oyeku, Henry Akubuiro, and Jesutofunmi Fekoya.
Speculative African fiction with Mazi Nwonwu, Umar Abubakar Sidi, and Dele Sijuade.
QFest 2025 will also witness the unveiling of “Moonbeam: An Anthology of Short Stories by Nigeria’s Foremost Culture Journalists” (Narrative Landscape Press). Contributors include Sam Omatseye, Adeniyi Kunu, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, Terh Agbedeh and Henry Akubuiro, with moderation by editor Anote Ajeluorou. The anthology brings together 15 veteran culture journalists, including Jahman Anikulapo, Toni Kan, Molara Wood, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Nehru Odeh, the late Evelyn Osagie, Sumaila Umaisha, Greg Nwakunor and Akeem Lasisi.
As always, the Quramo Writers’ Prize (QWP 2025) will be a major attraction, with the winner taking home N1 million and a publishing deal, continuing the tradition that launched Chizeterem Chijioke’s Dear Zimi.
In addition to its literary focus, QFest 2025 will host stimulating sessions such as “Telling Our Stories in the Age of AI: Creativity, Truth and Africa’s Future” and “From Climate Crisis to Creativity: Building Resilient Communities through Storytelling.”
“QFest is known for its eclectic programming,” Shasore noted. “We invite lovers of culture everywhere to join us for a banquet of ideas, art, and fun. We promise a cultural journey you won’t forget in a hurry.”
