ANA unveils theme for 44th International Convention, Conference
By Wole Adedoyin
THE Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has officially announced the theme for its forthcoming 44th International Convention and Conference. Scheduled to take place from Thursday, October 30th to Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, the event will be held at the historic Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Abuja, the national headquarters of the Association. It will be have as theme ‘The Nigerian Writer and the Urgencies of the Nation-State,’ with this year’s convention designed to provide a platform for Nigerian and African writers to interrogate the challenges confronting the nation-state and to highlight the role of literature in shaping national consciousness and development.
The event will be chaired by a respected writer, public intellectual, and human rights advocate, Senator Shehu Sani while the Chief Host will be the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi. Their presence is expected to lend weight and direction to discussions on the interplay in literature, politics and society.
One of the major highlights will be the keynote address to be delivered by a renowned scholar and public intellectual, Prof. Udenta O. Udenta. Other distinguished panelists confirmed for the event include journalist and author, Dr. Tunde Olusunle, respected labour leader and columnist, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, and Ifeoma Chiwumba. Their combined perspectives will offer rich, multi-faceted discussions on the theme.
The four-day convention promises a dynamic lineup of activities, including panel discussions, literary workshops, plenary sessions, performances, exhibitions, award presentations, and a grand dinner night. Writers, scholars, critics, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond are expected to converge at the Writers’ Village for this landmark gathering.
ANA’s International Convention remains the largest annual convergence of writers, publishers, scholars, and policymakers in Nigeria’s literary community. It has, for over four decades, provided a fertile ground for cross-generational engagement and policy advocacy within the creative industry. This year’s edition is expected to reinforce ANA’s mission of fostering literary excellence while responding to the urgencies of the Nigerian nation-state.
Speaking on the significance of the theme, President Akanbi noted that writers have always been at the forefront of interrogating the nation’s conscience. He emphasized that the 44th convention will be a forum where Nigerian authors can offer pragmatic and creative interventions on issues such as governance, identity, democracy, and nation-building.
The association has therefore extended an open invitation to the general public, lovers of literature, students, academics, and policymakers to participate actively in the convention. Attendees will not only engage in thought-provoking dialogues but also enjoy an atmosphere of literary celebration, performances, and networking opportunities.
For participation, sponsorship, and further inquiries, interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to contact Dame Joan Oji, Ph.D., General Secretary of ANA, via +2348035768111 or email at anaauthors@gmail.com.
