The Lagos International Festival of Illustrations (LIFI), now in its second edition, recently took place in Lagos from September 17 to 19. Organized by the Book Buzz Foundation, the festival brought together illustrators from Nigeria and abroad to share ideas and skills. This year's event featured nine international illustrators from Poland, Italy, and Switzerland who trained 36 participants from the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, and other entrants.
The international illustrators who participated in the festival included Milly Miljkovic, Sophie Hofmann, and Sonya Trolliet from Switzerland; Zosia Frankowska, Zosia Dzierżawska, and Joanna Rusinek from Poland; and Elenia Beretta, Giulia Orecchia, and Cynthia Alonso from Italy. They shared their expertise with the Nigerian participants, aiming to help them develop their craft and ambitions. The goal is to make Nigerian illustrators globally competitive.
The festival was supported by Sterling Bank Nigeria, the embassies of Poland and Italy, and the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia. These partners have been crucial in providing resources for the festival and promoting the development of Nigerian illustrators and children's book producers. Lola Shoneyin, founder of the Book Buzz Foundation and director of the festival, expressed gratitude to the partners for their support.
According to Lola Shoneyin, the initiative aims to build a community of talented Nigerian illustrators, especially children's book illustrators. The festival seeks to train and develop good Nigerian illustrators who can, in turn, train others without relying on foreign experts. Shoneyin emphasized that with good ideas and networks, much can be achieved for Nigerian illustrators and children's book writers.
The programme manager of Pro Helvetia, Derin Ajao, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with LIFI, highlighting their work in supporting illustration masterclasses in some African and Southern American countries. Tomasz Gajc, first secretary of the Polish Embassy in Nigeria, shared his childhood experience of reading children's books and called for greater support for the production of children's books.
The chief marketing officer of Sterling Bank Nigeria, Donatus Okpako, stated that the bank supports the festival because it believes an educated mind is an empowered mind. Okpako commended Lola Shoneyin and her team for providing opportunities for Nigerian illustrators, writers, and creatives to improve their crafts. The bank's involvement reflects its commitment to education and the creative sector.
Lola Shoneyin also spoke about the Nigeria Picture Book Project, which aims to publish 100 children's books by Nigerian writers and illustrators. Twenty books have already been published and will be presented to the public during the 2026 inaugural Abuja Festival of Literature and Ideas (AFLI) on October 7. Additionally, the Book Buzz Foundation plans to launch the Children's Book Awards and honours named after Mabel Segun and Bruce Onobrakpeya.
Key points
- Partnerships are crucial for the growth of Nigerian illustrators and children's book producers.
- The LIFI festival aims to build a community of talented Nigerian illustrators.
- The Nigeria Picture Book Project plans to publish 100 children's books by Nigerian writers and illustrators.
