Abuja International Poetry Festival 2026 to Feature Umar Abubakar Sidi, Rasaq Malik Gbolahan and More
The Abuja International Poetry Festival (AIPFest) returns for its second edition from October 22 to 24, 2026, bringing together poets, writers, performers, artists and cultural thinkers under the theme “Roots & Resilience: A Call for Reparative Justice.” Curated by the Abuja Literary Society and Nasara Creative, the festival will explore history, memory, identity, justice and the resilience of African communities through readings, conversations, masterclasses, exhibitions and live performances. Its 2026 headliner is Umar Abubakar Sidi, the Nigerian poet, novelist and naval officer whose literary works include The Poet of Dust, Like Butterflies Scattered about by Art Rascals and The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus. The programme includes the Continental Efe Paul Azino Poetry Slam, a poetry masterclass titled The Poem as Archive, book readings, the Village of Languages, and the closing poetry concert, awards gala and “Poems Apostle Should Not Hear” silent disco. Events are scheduled across Kolanut Gallery, Luna Cafe and Transcorp Hilton Abuja, with virtual sessions also available.
The festival’s announced guests represent a wide range of contemporary African poetry and performance. They include Isaac Miebi Mendez, Huda Fadlelmawla (Huda the Goddess), Samuel Yakura, Baaji Akura, Vic’Adex (Adetimilehin Inioluwa Victor), Aziba-Laguayari Ekio, Jahnedu Ibekwelu, Paul Liam, Pacella Chukwuma-Eke, Star Zahra, Odu Ode, Andrew Patience, Leonell Elijah Echa, Shammah Godoz, Ibrahim Babátúndé Ibrahim, Mbali Malimela, Ella Fortté, Nwuguru Chidiebere Sullivan, Oruz Kennedy, Rasaq Malik Gbolahan, S. Su’eddie Vershima Agema, James Eneojile, Emmanuel Ugbe (PsalmsnProverbs), Jamila Abbas, Zainab Tijani Mohammed and Vic’Adex, who is also featured in the festival’s promotional materials. The programme further spotlights headliner Umar Abubakar Sidi, while Michael Imossan and Chidiebere Sullivan are listed as hosts of the virtual masterclass and associated sessions. On October 23, the Efe Paul Azino Poetry Slam is scheduled for Transcorp Hilton; on October 24, audiences can attend a conversation with Sidi and his poetry masterclass at Kolanut Gallery, followed by the closing concert and awards. Together, the festival’s guests and events create a meeting point for established and emerging literary voices from Nigeria, across Africa and the diaspora.
Festival passes are available through the official ticketing partner, Tix.africa. The pre-registration All-Access Festival Pass costs ₦10,000, while a pass purchased at the festival grounds costs ₦15,000; both provide access to the three festival days, masterclasses, poetry slam, exhibitions, concert halls and closing celebrations. The organisers also list free entry for poetry slam contestants and open-mic stages, subject to the relevant event arrangements. With its combination of literary conversation, live performance and cultural exchange, AIPFest 2026 invites audiences to consider how poetry preserves memory, confronts historical injustice and imagines more resilient futures.
To explore the full programme and secure your festival pass, visit the official Abuja International Poetry Festival website or book through Tix.africa.
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