By Izunna Okafor, Awka
All is now set for the 2025 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, an annual event organized in honour of Nigeria’s literary legend, Prof. Chinua Achebe, with this year’s edition expected to draw prominent personalities, scholars, and literary enthusiasts from within and outside the country.
Announcing the readiness of the organizers, the Project Coordinator and State Coordinator of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (Anambra State Chapter), Izunna Okafor, disclosed in Awka that the 2025 edition, which marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, will hold on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Anambra State Central E-Library, also known as the Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central E-Library, beginning at 10 a.m. prompt.
According to Okafor, the Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture, which was initiated in 2016, is one of the most enduring and respected literary events in Nigeria, conceived to celebrate Achebe’s life, works, and enduring legacies. Traditionally held on November 16, Achebe’s birthday, the 2025 edition was rescheduled to Friday, November 14, since this year’s date falls on a Sunday.
He further revealed that the theme for this year’s edition, “Revisiting the Trouble with Nigeria: The Achebean Perspective”, will be dissected by the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who is also the Anambra State Commissioner for Education and award-winning author. The event, Okafor said, will also have Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, as the Chief Guest of Honour.
Okafor added that the gathering will be chaired by Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, the immediate past National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, while the Royal Father of the Day will be His Royal Highness, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III of Obosi, the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and a distinguished author.
He also disclosed that Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, is expected to attend as a Special Guest, alongside other eminent figures in literature, academia, and governance.
Highlighting the literary content of the event, Okafor said it will feature the 2025 Achebe Memorial Lecture, spoken word poetry, drama performances, special readings, award presentations, and the announcement of winners of the 2025 Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition for secondary schools.
According to him, James Eze, the 2020 ANA Poetry Prize Winner and former Press Secretary to Ex-Governor Willie Obiano, will make a special reading during the event. He added that Eze also served as the Head Judge of the entries submitted for this year’s Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology
One of the highlights of the day, Okafor revealed, will be the unveiling and presentation of the 10th edition of the Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology, titled “Achebe — Arrow of Wisdom.” The anthology, which features poems, essays, and literary reviews written by contributors from different parts of the world, is published annually by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers as part of efforts to immortalize Achebe and perpetuate his literary philosophy.
Okafor emphasized that the winners in both the poetry and essay categories will be announced at the event, while prizes, certificates, and honorary awards will be presented to deserving participants.
He noted that the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture has, over the years, grown into a tall and reputable platform that attracts literary minds and dignitaries to Anambra State, contributing immensely to the state’s cultural and intellectual reputation.
Describing the 2025 edition as special, Okafor said the event will also mark Achebe’s 95th posthumous birthday and the 12th anniversary of his passing, with a renewed focus on rekindling his ideals of truth, justice, and leadership integrity as reflected in his timeless works.
Born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Anambra State, Prof. Chinua Achebe remains a towering figure in world literature. His classic novel, Things Fall Apart, has been translated into over 60 languages and continues to shape global perspectives on African identity and culture. Achebe passed away on March 21, 2013, at the age of 82, leaving behind an enduring literary legacy that continues to inspire generations.
This year’s edition of the festival, Okafor assured, promises to be intellectually stimulating, culturally enriching, and truly memorable, as writers, scholars, and admirers of Achebe gather once again in Awka to celebrate the man who gave African literature its authentic voice.
