Manny Ita –
The Book Buzz Foundation, organisers of the renowned Ake Arts and Book Festival, has announced a nationwide call for writers aged 21 to 30 to participate in the Nigeria Picture Book Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s children’s publishing ecosystem.
The project, which is funded by the European Union, seeks to build what organisers describe as a “world-class ecosystem” for Nigerian children’s literature across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
In a statement announcing the initiative, the foundation said the project is designed to identify and nurture emerging writers with a passion for storytelling for children, while addressing structural gaps in the development, production and distribution of high-quality picture books.
According to the organisers, the Nigeria Picture Book Project will provide selected participants with training, mentorship and access to industry professionals in order to strengthen their capacity to produce globally competitive content rooted in Nigerian realities.
“This project is about more than writing stories,” a representative of the foundation said. “It is about building an ecosystem that supports writers, illustrators, editors and publishers so that Nigerian children can see themselves reflected in the books they read.”
The foundation noted that children’s publishing in Nigeria remains underdeveloped despite the country’s vibrant literary culture. It added that many young readers lack access to culturally relevant and high-quality picture books produced locally.
“Our goal is to ensure that every region of Nigeria is represented,” the statement said. “We are intentionally working across all six geopolitical zones to promote inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity.”
The organisers also emphasised that the age bracket of 21 to 30 was deliberately chosen to target emerging creatives at a formative stage in their careers. “We want to invest in young voices who can grow with the industry and shape its future,” the foundation stated.
Industry observers say the initiative could help reposition Nigeria as a major producer of children’s literature on the African continent, particularly at a time when global interest in diverse storytelling continues to grow.
Applications for the programme are now open, with further details available through the foundation’s official channels. The organisers expressed optimism that the project would lay the foundation for sustainable growth in the children’s book sector and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
