Some festivals celebrate stories. Ake reclaims them. A place where truth doesn’t whisper; it takes the microphone.
This November, Ake Arts and Book Festival gathers Africa’s brightest minds and boldest voices for three unforgettable days of books, art, music, and conversations that challenge what we know. Come be part of a space where you can question, create, and reclaim the stories that shape who we are.
So, What Exactly Is Ake Festival? Ake Arts and Book Festival is one of the biggest cultural gatherings on the continent. It is where writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians, and curious lovers of ideas come together under one roof. Think of it as a meeting point for thinkers and dreamers. A home for imagination. A playground for stories.
This is the 13th edition of the festival, and each year, it grows in boldness and relevance. Ake is never just vibes. It is conversations that stay with you long after you have left the event hall. It is laughter mixed with reflection. It is people from across Africa asking the questions we sometimes avoid and saying the things we all need to hear.
This Year’s Theme: Reclaiming Truth
We now live in a world where misinformation spreads faster than facts. Where everyone has an opinion, but fewer people ask why. Where the loudest voice is often mistaken for the wisest voice. According to recent statistics, a staggering 86% of global citizens have been exposed to misinformation, while 40% of content shared on social media is fake.
Reclaiming Truth is an invitation to slow down. To question. To listen more carefully. To speak more honestly.
At Ake this year, expect panel discussions that challenge assumptions, film screenings that provoke thought, poetry that stirs emotion, books that unlock memory, and performances that remind us why art remains one of the purest forms of truth-telling.
Why Sterling Is Part of This Movement
Sterling has been a proud supporter of Ake Festival since 2018. Because storytelling is not just art. It embodies identity, heritage, and power. When we reclaim our stories, we reclaim our dignity. When we celebrate our voices, we strengthen our future. As a bank that believes in supporting communities and creators, standing with Ake is standing with the people shaping Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual landscape. It is our way of saying: Your voice matters. Your creativity matters. Your truth matters.
Why You Should Attend
If you have ever:
- Questioned a story you were told growing up
- Wondered how narratives shape culture
- Loved a book that made you see life differently
- Enjoyed sitting in a room where ideas flow like music
Then Ake Festival is for you. You will meet authors whose words you admire. You will discover new voices you did not know you needed. You will find conversation, laughter, connection, and maybe something in yourself.
Event Details:
Date: 20 – 22 November 2025
Time: 9 AM daily
Venue: Bon Hotel Ikeja Residence, Lagos
Sterling invites you to come experience creativity, community, and truth in its purest form. Bring your curiosity. Bring your questions. Bring your love for the stories that make us who we are. Be part of the conversation. Truth lives here. Come reclaim it.
