From The Rio Times · Samuel Ncube · · 2m
Aké Festival Lagos 2026
Lagos hosts 14th Aké Arts and Book Festival with AI theme Nov 19-21.
In brief
Lagos hosts 14th Aké Arts and Book Festival with AI theme Nov 19-21. Nigeria's Aké Arts and Book Festival returns Nov 19-21 with AI theme, featuring Marvel writer Nnedi Okorafor and Nigerian-American filmmaker Roye Okupe. Originally reported by The Rio Times.
Aké Festival Returns to Lagos
Nigeria's Aké Arts and Book Festival returns for its 14th edition in Lagos from Thursday, 19 November to Saturday, 21 November 2026.
Festival Venue and Dates
The festival takes place at Silkwood Hotel Ikeja, 261 Sobo Arobiodu Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, a short drive from the main international airport.
Ticket Pricing Details
Online tickets cost ₦20,000 (about US$15) and include festival guide, Aké Review 2026, ID card with lanyard, and access to all events.
2026 Guest List Highlights
The guest list features Marvel comics writer Nnedi Okorafor and Nigerian-American filmmaker Roye Okupe, among over 40 writers and artists.
AI Theme Explained
The festival's 2026 theme, Native Intelligence, questions whose intelligence the future will be built on as AI reshapes storytelling and elections across Africa.
Festival Organizers
The Book Buzz Foundation, a non-profit founded in 2012 to promote literacy, runs the festival with board member Lola Shoneyin as its founder.
Guest Profiles
Nnedi Okorafor, author of Marvel's Black Panther, has won multiple Nebula and Hugo awards. Roye Okupe created the IYANU animated franchise streaming on HBO Max.
Ticket Sales and Pricing
Tickets are sold online through Book Buzz Foundation's Paystack page at ₦20,000 (about US$15) with venue tickets at ₦25,000 (about US$19) available from November 19.
Venue and Travel Info
The Silkwood Hotel Ikeja is twelve minutes from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, with ride-share apps recommended for safety in Lagos.
US Travel Requirements
US citizens need a visa for Nigeria, with passports valid for six months beyond arrival and yellow fever and polio vaccination certificates required.
Safety Advisory
The US State Department rates Nigeria Level 3, Reconsider Travel, with warnings about violent crime and kidnappings targeting dual nationals.
Festival Program Status
Daily program, session times, and opening hours are not yet published, with the organizers stating they will be announced soon.
What Comes Next
The festival program will be announced soon, with door tickets going on sale on Thursday, 19 November, and the festival closing on Saturday, 21 November.
Additional Events
Visitors can also time a trip around ART X Lagos, an international art fair running Thursday, 5 November to Sunday, 8 November.
The key point
Nigeria's Aké Arts and Book Festival returns Nov 19-21 with AI theme, featuring Marvel writer Nnedi Okorafor and Nigerian-American filmmaker Roye Okupe.
