💌 This post is a full on love fest, where I am being super positive and oh so thankful for my literary community at the Ake Arts and Book Festival 2025.

Ake Arts and Book Festival 2025 has come to an end, but my heart is still full and I will be carrying this fullness for days to come. I’m currently wrapped in that warm, fuzzy feeling that reminds me, “I’m loved and I am exactly where I’m meant to be.” There’s something about the literary community, the energy, the madness of being surrounded by people who genuinely see you, and it totally reminded me of the only thing that has kept me going this year, friendship and community. My life-saving affirmations that I am here and I am alive.

Which is why, today, I am writing a sort of love letter to the people I have gotten to know, who have shown me what it means to be seen, held, and loved genuinely, with the Ake Festival acting as the backdrop for my confession.

Let me start with two of my favourite people from years of Ake festivals. Amyn Bawa-Allah and Fatimath Bawa-Allah are my favourite sister duo in the entire world. These women took care of me like I was their third sibling. If I needed to disappear for a nap, Amyn had a room. Stocked with Ribena and enough snacks to feed a small village. I’d just show up, collapse and know I was safe. Do you know how elite it is to attend a festival and not feel alone for even one second? Fati checked on me, looked out for me, and held space for me and the catch is this is regular. It’s nothing new, I love them so much.

Then the romance authors—my sweethearts, my people, the softest and baddest babes on this side of literature. Seeing Fatima Bala, again was so special. She told me she’d read my book and loved it… and listen, for indie authors like me, that’s fuel. That’s someone reaching into your little writer-heart and whispering, “Keep going.” I needed that more than she knew.

And then Tomi Coco Adeyemo. My queen. She literally came to Ake to give me a gift box packed with goodies and her brand-new book because “I’m one of her biggest fans.” I’m sorry, but do you know how insane and tender that is? To be seen like that? To be appreciated in that way? Clear road for me—one of my favourite authors is always going out of her way for me. I’m not regular, lmao.

Adesuwa O’Man Nwokedi, honestly, is one of the purest souls in this community. A whole breath of fresh air. Being around her always feels like being in a room lit by fairy lights, warm, kind and intentional. Romance authors are opening doors for more of us, and I’m proud to stand among them.

Meeting Louisa Onomé? Oh, that was a moment. I’ve been rooting for her since her debut dropped, and Ake brought her home and meeting her in person was so good.

And shout-out to Nkereuwem Albert, with whom I shared very unserious banter on the book signing lines. I won’t repeat what I said to him, because he is “innocent” lmao, it was fun to connect and such a human moment.

Now, let me talk about my favourite panel of the entire festival—actually, one of my top three moments of Ake 2025. A brilliant book chat hosted by the ever-sensational Nenye, featuring Femi Kayode and Olayinka Yaqub. First of all, those two? Stars. Talented, articulate, hilarious, everything.

Meeting Femi was honestly a highlight. The notes he wrote inside my books, I’ll keep them close forever. And finding out Olayinka and I had been mutuals on X for years? Full circle moment. But the best part was just sitting with them later on, talking, laughing, watching their personalities shine. Thanks to Femi, we even spoke to Oyinkan Braithwaite to congratulate her on her new book, Cursed Daughters. And then Femi casually started the roadwork for a certain Troy mentoring me. Excuse me? Talk about community coming through.

And of course, my girls, Zarri of The Heartist Shop and Lulu of Squiggle Club. Watching your stands thrive was everything. There’s nothing as sweet as seeing your friends succeed and cheering them on loudly. I’m proud of you both, every single time.

To my gift exchange gang and Amyn, my chingus—thank you, thank you, thank you. You people loaded me with enough ijekuje and ipanu to last me until the year ends. Doing that exchange with you all brought me so much joy. You showed up and you shared from the heart. That’s real friendship.

To the authors I met and readers who bought my books, because of you I shopped like someone with 13 sugar mommies, the people who donated funds for my spree, I love all four of you, I’ve written your names in my heart, to Wemi for keeping me company and doing his best to cheer up a sulking stranger, to the old familiar faces that always light up in greeting and all the new friends and those whose faces I finally matched to usernames, thank you. You made this festival a safe, warm bubble.

To my Ouida folks, well done. You gave your all and did an amazing job as usual. Year after year, you all show up and go out. I appreciate it and all the conversations I get to have with you all.

Ake 2025 reminded me that community doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. Sometimes it’s people keeping a room open for you. Sometimes it’s someone saying, “I read your book.” Sometimes it’s laughter over an inside joke. Sometimes it’s a gift box. Sometimes it’s simply, “Where are you? Let’s take a picture,” or “I’m glad you’re here.”

I’m touched. I’m grateful. And I’m so proud and glad to be a member of this chaotic, beautiful literary community we’ve built.

Ake Arts and Book Festival 2025 was amazing and I can’t wait to do it all again in 2026.