The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has announced that its 44th Annual International Convention will take place between October 30, 2025 and November 2, 2025 in Abuja.
The association, under the leadership of its President, Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi, said in a press statement that the theme of Africa’s largest gathering of writers, scholars, and cultural thinkers, which will take place at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village, Mpape, Abuja, is “The Nigerian Writer and the Urgencies of the Nation-State”.
The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Udenta O. Udenta.
ANA said: “Prof. Udenta, a renowned literary critic, civil rights activist, and cultural scholar; brings decades of academic brilliance and activism to the stage. His keynote will spark the dialogue we need in a nation yearning for transformation.”
A special feature of the convention is the presentation of a stage play titled, ‘Tori Don Get Bow Leg: The Vatsa Story’, written by Denja Abdullahi, a former president of the association.
“This powerful stage play explores the life, legacy, and creative soul of General Mamman Vatsa, poet, soldier, and patron of the arts,” the association said, adding, “A moving tribute, bold, poetic, unforgettable.”
Another special feature is the Mbari Series Open Arts Exhibition to be held in honour of the writer and veteran journalist Lindsay Barret.
The theme of the exhibition, which ANA will hold collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), is: “The Embrace of Literary and Visual Arts”.
Highlights of the exhibition include visual arts showcase, poetry recitation, fireside storytelling session, and book arts and design talks.
The exhibition, which is supported by the Shehu Sani Foundation, will hold from Monday, October 27 – Friday, October 31, 2025 at 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily at the foyer of the Chinua Achebe International Conference Centre, Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village.
