Malik, Adeleye, Jedidah To Headline February Edition of Ibadan Readers Roundtable

MALIK, ADELEYE, JEDIDAH TO HEADLINE FEBRUARY EDITION OF IBADAN READERS ROUNDTABLE

The Ibadan Book Club (IBC) has announced that the February edition of its prestigious Ibadan Readers Roundtable will feature three Ibadan-based writers as headline guests: Lekan Malik, Asmaa A. Adeleye, and Jedidah Temitope. 

The trio—comprising one male and two female writers—will lead literary conversations and readings at the highly anticipated gathering.

The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the Board Room of the Oyo State Library Board, located opposite the historic Cocoa House in Dugbe, Ibadan. The organizers have described the forthcoming session as a remarkable convergence of literary minds and an inspiring platform for creative engagement.

The Ibadan Readers Roundtable remains one of the flagship programmes of the Ibadan Book Club. Designed as an interactive literary forum, the Roundtable provides a vibrant space where writers, readers, critics, and aspiring authors engage in meaningful dialogue about books, creativity, publishing, and the evolving literary culture in Nigeria. Over time, it has grown into a respected platform for nurturing talents and strengthening Ibadan’s reputation as a city of letters.

In a statement released to the press, Wole Adedoyin, Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, noted that the February edition reflects the Club’s continued commitment to celebrating emerging and established voices within the literary community. He emphasized that the inclusion of diverse perspectives—across gender, genre, and generation—remains central to the vision of the Roundtable.

One of the headline guests, Lekan Malik, is a Nigerian author, poet, and teacher. A native of Ikorodu in Lagos State, he is the President of Citadel of the Literati and also serves as the Coordinator of the Creative Writers' Association of Nigeria (CWAN), Lagos State Chapter. A devoted Christian and family man, Malik is widely respected for his commitment to literary mentorship and community-based creative initiatives.

Also headlining the event is Asmaa A. Adeleye, a poet, creative writer, and avid reader whose passion for literature is both innate and deeply cultivated. A fourth-year student of the University of Ibadan, she continues to refine her voice and literary expression. Her works explore themes of personal development, wellness, religion, and life’s broader perceptions, offering reflective and thought-provoking insights.

Asmaa serves with the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press under the poetry desk, where she actively contributes to the literary community. Her writings, known for their skillful use of literary devices and imaginative depth, appear across social media platforms, magazines, and digital publishing spaces such as Medium and Substack, reaching a growing global audience.

Jedidah Temitope, another distinguished guest for the session, is a Communication and Language Arts student at the University of Ibadan. She is the author of More Than Just a Freshman, a campus memoir released on April 3rd, which chronicles the pressures, growth, and defining experiences of her 100-level journey. The book has reached over 1,000 readers within Nigeria and abroad, resonating strongly with young people navigating similar transitions.

Beyond her debut publication, Jedidah writes poetry and reflective essays, drawing from personal experiences to tell honest and compelling stories. Currently working on new creative projects, she views writing as a means of preserving memories, expressing truth, and creating meaningful impact.

The Ibadan Book Club also extended special appreciation to Mrs. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, President of the Literary Authors Cooperative Multipurpose Society of Nigeria and Founder of Book Marketing Class Africa (BMACA), for her unwavering monthly support to the Club. The Club expressed profound gratitude for her immense contributions and support throughout the previous year, describing her as a pillar of encouragement to the Ibadan literary community.

The Ibadan Book Club encourages literature enthusiasts, writers, students, and members of the public to attend this enriching edition of the Ibadan Readers Roundtable, promising an afternoon of stimulating conversations, creative inspiration, and community bonding within Ibadan’s vibrant literary space.

IBC Hails Dr. Awele Ilusanmi’s Emergence among 100 reputable Women of African Descent 2026

 

IBC HAILS DR. AWELE ILUSANMI’S EMERGENCE AMONG 100 REPUTABLE WOMEN OF AFRICAN DESCENT 2026

The Ibadan Book Club has heartily congratulated Dr. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, on her nomination and emergence as one of the distinguished recipients of the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent 2026 Award. The Club described the honour as a well-deserved recognition of her unwavering commitment to literary development and humanitarian service.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Founder of the Ibadan Book Club, Wole Adedoyin, who applauded Dr. Ilusanmi’s consistent dedication to uplifting writers, promoting African literature, and supporting community-based initiatives. He noted that her emergence on the prestigious list reflects years of impactful service and visionary leadership.

According to the release, Dr. Awele Ilusanmi is a renowned philanthropist and literary advocate who has facilitated the publication of over 100 authors through the Literary Authors Cooperative and Multipurpose Society of Nigeria (LITACO). Her efforts have provided a vital platform for both emerging and established writers to see their works published and gain wider recognition.

The statement further highlighted her financial and moral support for numerous literary organisations across Nigeria, including the Ibadan Book Club. Dr. Ilusanmi’s contributions have strengthened literary programming, enhanced reading culture initiatives, and empowered writers to pursue excellence in their craft.

Dr. Ilusanmi is the President and Co-founder of LITACO, a cooperative society dedicated to fostering collaboration, financial empowerment, and sustainable growth within the literary community. Under her leadership, LITACO has become a beacon of hope for authors seeking structure, mentorship, and publishing opportunities.

The 100 Reputable Women of African Descent 2026 Award recognises and celebrates women of African descent who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and character, while making significant contributions to their communities and industries. Dr. Ilusanmi’s selection underscores her remarkable influence and the far-reaching impact of her work.

The Ibadan Book Club therefore joins the global community in celebrating Dr. Awele Ilusanmi, FANA, for this outstanding achievement. The Club expressed confidence that her recognition will inspire more women across Africa and the diaspora to pursue excellence, lead with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of literature and society at large.

 

 

Ibadan Book Club Honours Award Winning Spoken Word Poet Ayomide Inufin

 IBADAN BOOK CLUB HONOURS AWARD-WINNING SPOKEN WORD POET AYOMIDE INUFIN

The Ibadan Book Club on 31st January, 2026 held a special reading session in honour of one of its members, Mr. Ayomide Inufin, a former performance poet of the Club and an award-winning spoken word artist. 

The event celebrated his growing literary journey and outstanding achievements on the international stage.

Mr. Inufin is not new to the Ibadan Book Club. He was one of the invited guest performance poets at the Club’s reading held on 15 October 2022 at the Conference Hall of the Oyo State Library Board, where his energetic and captivating performance left a lasting impression on participants. Since then, he has remained a familiar and respected presence within the Club’s creative community.

It will be recalled that Ayomide Inufin emerged as the winner of the Best Spoken Word Newcomer Award at the 2025 Wordplay Poetry Awards in London, a remarkable feat that drew wide commendation from literary circles. The Ibadan Book Club described the achievement as a proud moment and a testament to the quality of talents nurtured within its fold.

To celebrate this milestone, the Club organised the special reading session, which was attended by about twenty members and notable dignitaries from the literary community. Among those present were Mr. Olumide Sowunmi, Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA); Mrs. Funmi Akinwande, Financial Secretary of the Oyo State Chapter of ANA; Mr. Marcus Ugboduma, award-winning poet, short story writer, and co-founder of the Ibadan Book Club; Mr. Lekan Malik, Lagos State Chairman of the Creative Writers Association of Nigeria (CWAN); and Mr. Wole Adedoyin, Convener and Founder of the Ibadan Book Club. Mr. Adedoyin is also the President of the International Writers Association (IWA) and the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW).

The award-winning poem, “C.A.S – Confirmation of Acceptance for Straying Souls,” with which Mr. Inufin won the Best Spoken Word Newcomer Award, was performed at the session by Mr. Wole Adedoyin. The performance deeply resonated with listeners and sparked thoughtful reflections and discussions.

Participants praised the poem for its compelling exposure of how poverty, violence, and failed governance redefine freedom and push survival into desperation. They noted its portrayal of migration not as triumph but as escape—freedom gained at the painful cost of identity, language, and emotional belonging. The vivid imagery of airports, visas, accents, and “haunted homes” was highlighted as a powerful dramatization of displacement and psychological exile. The poet’s confession of losing hope even after arrival was also commended for resisting romanticized diaspora narratives, while the closing reminder—that no one forgets home unless it is haunted—was described as a haunting reflection on safety, loss, and survival.

One of the highlights of the reading was a mini workshop on Artificial Intelligence led by Mr. Fadele Olusola Daniel, Head of the E-Library at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. A seasoned digital creator, AI expert, and professional librarian, Mr. Daniel shared practical insights on the use of AI tools in writing, research, and information management. A member of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), he holds academic qualifications in Computer Science, Statistics, and Library, Archival and Information Studies from the University of Ibadan.