Acada Children’s Book Festival named 2023 Literary Platform of the Year

The Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) held in Lagos, Nigeria has been named the 2023 Literary Platform of the Year for its dedication to championing children’s literature in Nigeria and providing a safe and inspiring space for children to explore books and ideas.

The festival, founded by Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, a children’s book author and influential figure in the Nigerian publishing industry, is the first and largest Nigerian book festival exclusively for children.

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Talabi’s work has made an important contribution to the African literary space, and her accomplishments through this platform are being celebrated.

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Talabi is not only a children’s book author but has also been in the Nigerian publishing space for much longer and in other roles.

She is currently the chairperson for the Association of Children’s Authors and Illustrators of Nigeria.

Although her professional background is in corporate directorship, her true passion lies in writing for children, with 12 books published.

With a career spanning 29 years in the publishing industry, primarily in newspaper publishing, she also holds an honorary doctorate in Media and Communications and serves on the board of The Punch, one of Nigeria’s top newspapers.

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She is deeply committed to improving literacy and ensuring that children have better access to books, particularly, to read for pleasure.

ACBF is part of the festival wave in Nigeria, which began with the likes of Ake Festival and LABAF, organizing events centered around various Nigerian cities and ethnic communitiesHowever, ACBF stands out as the first-ever festival dedicated to children. For Talabi, making the decision to strike out in uncharted territory came easy.