ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency

15/09/2026

Voice of Nigeria-VON's Deputy Director, Mr. Mikhail AbdulAzeez Addresses ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa Writers' Residency Cohort

The ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency cohort appeared on Voice of Nigeria's (VON) Youth Forum on September 14, 2026, where they discussed topics ranging from youth empowerment and national growth to mental wellness and life in Nigeria. The Nigerian participants tackled the subject "Nigeria @ 65: What Role Should Youths Play in Nation Building?, reflecting on civic engagement, leadership, and innovation as tools for driving the country forward, while another segment, "Mental Health, Hustle & Hope: Navigating Life as a Nigerian Youth," addressed the strain of economic hardship and career struggles alongside the resilience needed to stay hopeful. Meanwhile, the residency's foreign participants were hosted on Impressions, VON's dedicated segment for international guests, giving them a chance to share their observations of the country and adding an intercultural flavour to the broadcast.

Reacting to the feature, VON's Deputy Director, Mr. Mikhail AbdulAzeez , praised the residency for using literary platforms to spark dialogue on national issues, youth ambitions, and cross-cultural exchange. He also acknowledged the crew responsible for the production — Emilia Ochonma Ohuabunwa* (Youth Forum), Pauline Uzor (Literary Corner), Maryam Danggpgo (Impressions), and presenter Airat Abdulraman, commending their diligence in bringing such conversations to air.

The public can catch the complete broadcast on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6:05 PM (GMT), via the Simple Radio app (search "Voice of Nigeria") on Google Play Store (https://simpleradio.app.goo.gl/UVMTn1VDcwj3bbXy6) or Apple Store (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-radio-fm-am-stations/id891132290).

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Residency Manager

For:
National Executive Council (NEC), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

15/09/2026

ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency Cohort Featured on Voice of Nigeria-VON Youth Forum

Residents of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers’ Residency have featured on the Voice of Nigeria (VON) radio programme on September 14 - 2026, Youth Forum, where they engaged in conversations on youth development, nation-building, mental health, and the Nigerian experience.

The radio interview, which brought together both Nigerian and international residents of the writers’ residency, provided a platform for participants to share their perspectives on some of the pressing social and developmental issues confronting young people in Nigeria and beyond.

The Nigerian residents were engaged in a discussion titled *“Nigeria @ 65: What Role Should Youths Play in Nation Building?”* The conversation examined the responsibilities of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future, with emphasis on civic participation, leadership, creativity, innovation, and meaningful contributions to national development.

They also explored the theme “Mental Health, Hustle & Hope: Navigating Life as a Nigerian Youth.” The discussion focused on the realities of contemporary youth life, including the pressures associated with economic challenges, career pursuits, social expectations, and the need to maintain hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

For the international residents, the interview featured “ Impressions ,” VON’s specialised programme designed to provide foreigners with an opportunity to share their experiences, observations, and impressions of Nigeria.

Their participation offered a cross-cultural dimension to the programme, providing listeners with perspectives on Nigeria from the viewpoint of international writers and residents who have experienced the country through the residency programme.

The appearance of the residents on VON further highlights the role of literary and cultural platforms in facilitating conversations around national development, social realities, youth aspirations, and intercultural understanding.

Join us to listen to the program as scheduled for the full broadcast and to hear the residents share their views on the featured topics.👇

Date : Tuesday | September 15, 2026
Time: 6:05PM (GMT)

You can listen via the app *SIMPLE RADIO* (Search for Voice of Nigeria) on Google play store & Apple Store.

Google Play store:
https://simpleradio.app.goo.gl/UVMTn1VDcwj3bbXy6

Apple Store:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simple-radio-fm-am-stations/id891132290

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Residency Manager

For;
National Executive Council (NEC), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

13/09/2026

TWO WRITERS FROM ANA KADUNA ATTEND PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL WRITERS RESIDENCIES

Two members of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Kaduna State Chapter have been admitted into two of Nigeria’s leading writers residencies for the 2026 cohort .

In Abuja, Mr. Stephen Adinoyi, Stephen Adinoyi an award-winning author and former Chairman of the Kaduna Chapter, is currently attending the *Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers Residency, Abuja.* The residency which comprises writers drawn from Nigeria and abroad is a 4-week intensive writing and leadership programme in a serene atmosphere.

Similarly, Mrs. Sarafina Balogun, an outstanding novelist and Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Education, Zaria, is in Oyo State as part of the 2026 cohort of the *Ebedi Writers Residency*. She will also spend four weeks together with other writers from Nigeria and abroad on a writing project in an inspiring environment.

While the Ken Saro-Wiwa Residency is named after late Ken Saro-Wiwa, an accomplished writer, environmental rights activist and former President of ANA; the Ebedi, on the other hand, is one of West Africa's highly regarded writers residencies established in 2010. Both writers, who were inducted in a ceremony in early August, are expected to round up in early September, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of ANA Kaduna, Mr. D. Akuh Ogah congratulates the two hardworking writers on attaining this important milestone in their careers. He notes that while the experience of the writers will no doubt elevate their writing craft, it would also impact positively on the chapter which has been making efforts to reposition itself in the literary landscape. The Chairman wishes the two writers an eventful residency.

Signed
ANA Kaduna Media
12th September, 2026

13/09/2026

FIRST OFFICIAL COHORT OUTING: When Words Took to the Air ✨

On Saturday, 12 September 2026, the residents of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency stepped beyond the walls of the Secretariat for their first official cohort outing; to the serene and expansive Millennium Park, Abuja

Amidst the greenery, open skies and gentle rhythm of nature, creative expression found another kind of stage. The residents explored the park, took in its sights, shared laughter and enjoyed the therapeutic nuances of its ambience.

And, as writers naturally do, they carried their words with them.

The cohort performed excerpts from their works, allowing poetry, prose and creative voices to rise into the open air. Away from desks and manuscripts, the residents experienced their works in a different space; surrounded by nature, movement and the quiet inspiration that comes from simply being present. Some of the electrifying performances were delivered by; Pobee Mwintombo, our Ghanaian resident, Mr. Clack , our Togolese resident, H Buduka Ogu and Deborah Chinonyerem Uzoma
Videos coming soon📽✅

It was an outing of sightseeing, cohortship, creativity and renewal; a moment to pause from the intensity of writing, breathe deeply, connect with one another and allow the environment to inspire the work still taking shape.

For a while, the words left the page and found their way into the air. 📖✨

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Résidency Manager

For;
NEC, ANA

13/09/2026

_*🇳🇬My First Night at the Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency🇳🇬*_
Tonight, I step into destiny in silence,
Far from my familiar world, yet close to my thoughts,
Beneath the Nigerian sky, my soul remains awake,
And my pen prepares itself to begin anew.

On this first night, my memories come together,
My dreams and doubts slowly begin to intertwine,
The silence speaks to me, the walls seem to tremble,
And the words within my heart gradually gather.

Ken Saro-Wiwa, your name becomes a light,
A voice that crosses through time and borders,
I have come to carry my words, my dreams, my prayers,
So that ink may remain stronger than stone.

Tomorrow, other pens will cross paths with mine,
Other voices, other worlds will enrich my own,
But this first night will always remain mine,
Like an open door toward a brand-new life.

“This night is only a beginning, the first step toward a chance, where my pen enters here and will leave greater than before.”
🤍 Your Poet - Slam Artist
🌙
🤍Written on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the ANA Residency in Mpape, Abuja State, Nigeria.
🤍Excerpt from the Poetry Collection
*La Marche du Cœur*
Mr. Clack

13/09/2026

RESIDENTS ENGAGE IN INSIGHTFUL PRE-PEER REVIEW SESSION

The ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency Cohort held an engaging Pre-Peer Review Session on Thursday, 10 September 2026, at the ANA Secretariat Conference Room.

The session provided the residents with an important platform to present, discuss, and critically examine the creative works they are currently developing during their residency.

Each resident had the opportunity to introduce their intended work, sharing the ideas, themes, concepts, creative direction, and aspirations behind their respective projects. The presentations opened up thoughtful conversations among the cohort, allowing residents to better understand one another’s creative processes while discovering interesting intersections and differences in their approaches to writing.

A major highlight of the session was the peer-to-peer review and constructive engagement that followed each presentation. Residents read, listened, asked questions, offered observations, and provided honest feedback on one another’s proposed works. Discussions touched on areas including theme, structure, language, style, narrative direction, characterisation, originality, and overall creative development.

Beyond simply critiquing the works, the session fostered an atmosphere of collegiality, openness, and shared learning. Residents were encouraged to identify the strengths in one another’s ideas while also pointing out areas that could benefit from further development. The exchange demonstrated the value of bringing emerging works into a supportive community where different perspectives can help an artist see their work from new angles.

The Pre-Peer Review therefore served as more than a preparatory exercise for the formal Peer Review stage. It became a collective creative laboratory, where ideas were tested, questions explored, perspectives exchanged, and works strengthened through dialogue.

As the residents continue their individual creative journeys, the insights gathered from the session will provide valuable direction as they refine their manuscripts and projects ahead of the formal Peer Review. The session reaffirmed one of the important values of the Residency: that while writing is often an individual practice, creative growth can be significantly enriched through community, conversation, and constructive peer engagement.

WHERE IDEAS MEET, WORKS GROW ✍🏽📖

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Residency Manager

For;
NEC, ANA

09/09/2026

Successful Conclusion of the
Second Editon of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers' Residency, 2026, Opening/Induction Ceremony

The Management of the ANA Ken Saro-Wiwa International Writers’ Residency is pleased to announce the successful hosting of the official Opening/Induction Ceremony for the new cohort.

Event Highlights & Key Appreciation

Leadership & Vision: We extend our deepest gratitude to the President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr. Usman-oladipo Akanbi for his steadfast leadership, guidance, and unwavering dedication to fostering literary excellence through the residency program.

Gratitude goes to the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, who chaired the occasion and engaged the cohort.

Keynote Address: Special appreciation goes to our distinguished Keynote Speaker, Dr. Kabura Zakama, whose inspiring remarks set an enriching and high-standard tone for the incoming residents.

Special Presentation: A notable moment of the ceremony was a presentation by one of our cohort members, David Onotu ("The Oracle"), who presented one of his fine-art framed photographs to the Chairman, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, officially dedicating the artwork to the Residency.

ANA Team & Coordination: We express our sincere thanks to the entire ANA Team for their effort in making the event a memorable success. In particular, we recognize and thank the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Cynthia Ij Cy for her efficient coordination, warm reception, and seamless management of the logistics.

Cohort Experiences

During the session, members of the new cohort shared compelling stories of their journeys traveling down to the Mamman Vatsa Writers' Village in Mpape, Abuja. The residents expressed great enthusiasm regarding their arrival, noting that they are already thoroughly enjoying the serene atmosphere, creative environment, and hospitality of the residency.

We thank everyone who contributed to making this induction a resounding success and look forward to a productive, creative season ahead.

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir
Residency Manager

For:
National Executive Council (NEC), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)

09/09/2026

08/09/2026

Greetings from Abuja, Nigeria.
Stay tuned.