Abuja Book City flag-off signals new era in reading culture promotion

By Ejiro Umukoro

THE Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP) officially flags off the Abuja Book City initiative today, Thursday, April 24, 2025, marking a significant milestone in promoting reading culture in the nation’s capital. The event is a culmination of months of planning and preparation by the NBRP Abuja Chapter and its partners. The Abuja Book City initiative is part of NBRP’s annual National Book City Project, which aims to promote reading culture and book appreciation in different cities across Nigeria. The project was launched in 2021, with Uyo serving as the first Book City, followed by Lagos in 2023 and Yenagoa in 2024.

According to the President of NBRP Richard Mammah, the Abuja Book City initiative is expected to bring sustainable national focus to reading promotion activities in the city throughout the year. The initiative features a range of activities, including book clubs, reading competitions, and literary events.

The NBRP Abuja Chapter has been working tirelessly to promote reading culture in the city, with a range of pre-event activities already undertaken. These included membership drives, outreach to collaborators and partners, and the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the Book City Project.

Notable activities that have taken place include the unveiling of the Book City logo, production of promotional materials, and support for the 2025 Abuja Book City event. The chapter has also hosted several events, including a special holiday virtual book reading, celebrity read-aloud and celebration of International Mother Language Day 2025.

The Abuja Book City initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the reading culture in Nigeria’s capital city, with a range of events planned, including the flag-off ceremony and the Annual General Meeting (AGM)/National Reading Conference of NBRP in September 2025. Others are reading promotion activities, a spectacular event titled “Fixing the Reading Challenge Competition – Calling Abuja Students and Residents” and a school competition with prizes to be won. The competition is open to primary and secondary school students, undergraduates, and adults.

Lady Ejiro Umukoro (taking selfie) and students at the flag-off venue… in Abuja

The NBRP Abuja Chapter has commended its partners, including participating schools and students, for their unwavering support. The chapter’s coordinator, Chief ‘Loye Olowookere, has commended the efforts of members and partners in making the initiative a success.

The Abuja Book City initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective effort in promoting literacy and reading culture. With a range of exciting activities planned, the initiative is expected to make a lasting impact on the literary landscape of Nigeria’s capital city. Key partners include the National Library of Nigeria, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Booksellers Association of Nigeria (BAN), FCT Education Resource Centre, Kairos Tablets and Scrolls Ltd, Boldscholar, Rovingheights and LightRay! Media.

Also, notable figures expected to drive the initiative are the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Prof Chinwe Veronica Nwakaego Anunobi, journalist, author, and rights activist, Chido Onumah, Chair, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Ekong Sampson, expert in intellectual property law and Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John O. Asein Esq., founder and managing director of Fortham Publishers Limited, Msurshima Comfort Chenge, entrepreneur, public policy advisor and co-founder of Rovingheights bookstore, Adedotun Eyinade.

Schools that have indicated interest to participate are Junior Secondary School, Area Eleven, Abuja, Junior Secondary School, Apo Resettlement, Junior Secondary School, Zuba, Junior Secondary School, Model, Maitama, Marvelous Prospect School, Maitama Extension and Junior Secondary School, Lokogoma, Abuja.

The Abuja Book City initiative aims to promote reading culture and literacy in the Federal Capital Territory, with various activities planned. The Abuja Book City initiative is a significant step towards promoting reading culture and book appreciation. With the support of its partners and members, the NBRP Abuja Chapter is poised to make a lasting impact on the literary landscape of Abuja.

* Umukoro, an investigative journalist, is the author of the novel Distortion