Meet The 2022 Speakers

Ayo Oyeku

Ayo Oyeku is a Fellow of Ebedi International Writers Residency. He made an early mark in 2004, when his first children's book, First among Equals, was selected by World Bank for distribution across schools and libraries in the country. In 2015, his young-adult novel, Tears of the Lonely, won the Ezenwa Ohaeto Prize for Fiction, by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers. In 2016, his poem, Reeds on the Rivers, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He is a two-time finalist of the Golden Baobab Prize in 2016 and 2018 respectively. In 2019, he won the ANA prize for Children's literature for his book, Mafoya and the Finish Line.
He recently published his eight children's book, Queen Moremi Makes a Promise. Ayo Oyeku is a member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Asides writing, he loves traveling and telling stories. He is the founder of the creative publishing firm, Eleventh House.

Topic:

Queen Moremi Makes A Promise — 12:30pm

Children's International School

Topic:

My Favourite Book —

Detutu Ajibodu

Topic:

Bisi is The Boss — 4:00pm

Diseph Ruth Otto

Topic:

Pamimas Notebook — 4:30pm

Dr Eghosa Imasuen

Dr Eghosa Imasuen is a Nigerian writer and co-founder of Narrative Landscape Press Limited. He graduated with a 1999 medical degree from the University of Benin. His second novel, Fine Boys, a coming-of-age novel, was received to wide acclaim in 2012 and was published in America by the Ohio University Press' Modern African Writers Series in 2021.
Eghosa Imasuen teaches creative Writing at the annual Chimamanda Adichie Creative Writing Workshop. He lives in Lagos with his wife and twin sons.

Topic:

Creative Writing Bootcamp for Children’s Book Authors — 9:00am

Dr Lanre Olusola

Behavioural Change Catalyst

Topic:

Talking To Your Children About Sex & Sexuality — 2:00pm

Efua Traore

Efua Traoré is a Nigerian-German author who grew up in a small town in Nigeria. For as long as she can remember, her head was filled with little stories, but it was not until much later that she began to write them. She has also lived in France and Germany, and she writes in English and in German. If she had her way, she would travel much more and write every day. Children of The Quicksands is her debut novel, which won the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition in 2019. Efua is the winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2018. She lives in Munich with her husband and three daughters.

Topic:

Children of the Quicksand — 11:30am

Elizabeth Okeyele Olatunji

Elizabeth is a knitting teacher certified by the Craft yarn council of America. A graduate of textile technology from Yabatech. She is a passionate entrepreneur and a founder of Tunnize Creation, an organization that is passionate about passing on needle craft skills to the younger generation. Elizabeth is the author of knitting ABC Book, 22 inspired patterns for the young to explore.
In 2019, her knitting group was featured in the best UK knitting magazine, titled "Lets Knit", under charity when she organized children from Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna to knit and crochet 155 hats for premature babies across, Nigeria. She strongly believes that every child must have the will to think as this helps them to create, make and do.
She was featured in BBC pidgin and also instructor spotlight in CraftYarnCouncil, US. She and her team have set a goal to reach 20,000 children in Africa by 2035. Elizabeth is a happy mother to her sons and loves to volunteer and garden in her spare time.

Topic:

Arts and Crafts - Try Your Hand At Knitting — 1:00pm

Enahoro Okhae

Emotional Intelligence Expert & CEO, GIGM

Topic:

How Do I Tell Them? - 10 Things Children Wish Their Parents Knew — 10:00am

Foluke Oyeleye

Foluke Oyeleye is the author of the 'I Am A Nigerian In...' book collection. She is a creative, encourager, business- and bridge-builder with a passion for serving others. She holds a bachelor's degree in Combined Social Sciences from St Mary's College, University of Durham, England, and a master's in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, USA. Foluke's love for writing began at an early age, and her first published work is a Harvard Business School case titled 'Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola and Nigeria's Manufacturing Sector'.
She loves and believes in Nigeria, and her life goal is to make a positive impact by spotlighting all that's good and wonderful about the country. She founded Tani Series, a publishing company in 2020. Through Tani Series, she shares creative stories to inspire children and inquisitive adults. Her first three books, I am a Nigerian in Literary Arts, I am a Nigerian in Music, and I am a Nigerian in STEM, were released in 2022.

Topic:

I Am A Nigerian in Literary Arts —

Footsteps School

Topic:

My Favourite Book — 10:00am

Gbemi Shasore

Gbemi is the Executive Publisher of Quramo Publishing Limited, an indigenous media company dedicated to producing quality content for its diverse audience. In a bid to contributing to the publishing industry, Gbemi Shasore established the Quramo Writers’ Prize, which honours new, emerging and unpublished writers, and Qfest (a festival of words), which encourages human interaction, literary expression and creative growth.
Gbemi Shasore has authored several books, which include In Her Own Right, Our Money Our People and The Money People, published by Quramo Publishing Limited.
As a creative and a longtime patron of the arts, in 2010, she conceived and produced the epic and well-received stage play Ajai – The Boy Slave and has produced other stage productions to her credit since then: Ajai – The Boy Slave 2; A Past Came Calling and The Write to Freedom. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Quramo Productions and the executive producer of the movie titled Journey of an African Colony, currently on Netflix.
As an advocate for the girl-child/women empowerment, Gbemi Shasore is an ambassador of The Olave Baden-Powell Society(OB-PS), which supports girls and young women to develop their full potential as leaders and active citizens of the world. She is also a member of the Committee Of Wives Of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) and a past chairperson of the annual conference committee.v She is happily married with children and lives in Lagos

Topic:

Our Money, Our People — 12:00pm

Grange School

Topic:

My Favourite Book — 2:30pm

Inih Uno

Published my first children's picture book ADVENTURES WITH AMA on the 27th of May, 2022. I also teach voluntarily at Osborne Senior Secondary Grammar School. I write, as a passionate endeavor to shine the light on the importance of representation and diversity in educating children, and to be the constant voice that encourages children, no matter how different they may look, to be whomever they want to be.

Topic:

Adventures With Ama — 10:00am

Irene Omiunu

Irene Omiunu is a Nigerian born fashion artist/ illustrator based in the UK. In recent years, she has been commissioned internationally by some of the world's top brands including Vogue, Grazia, Vlisco, The Dubai Mall and Aspinal of London. She has successfully illustrated 3 children's books with 2 more due early 2021. She is a firm believer in the power of pictures to illuminate the minds of children and spark a love of reading early on in life.
Her earliest influences were stories by Enid Blyton, animated Disney movies and Nigerian classics such as Macmillan Ali and Simbi series. She frequently draws on her African heritage as inspiration for her colourful illustrations.

Topic:

Getting Paid To Illustrate — 1:00pm

Isioma Lawal

Ag Chief Risk Officer, Central Securities Clearing System Plc

Topic:

Smart Avatar - Online Safety Tips — 12:30pm

Jane Augoye

Founder, FabMum Ng

Topic:

Joint Session for Parents & Children: Knowing Me - Knowing You: Working Out The Differences — 1:30pm

Jason Kanu

Topic:

The Royal Battle Part 2 — 1:30pm

Jesutofunmi Fekoya

Jesutofunmi Fekoya is a graduate of the faculty of law, University of Lagos. She has won and been shortlisted for several writing competitions. She was the first runner up of the Campus Writing Challenge 2018. She was also long listed for the Quramo Writers’ Prize in 2018. Her submission was developed into a young adult, fantasy novel, Mirror on the Wall, released at QFest, 2019. She is a writing coach who mentors new writers.

Topic:

Mirror On The Wall — 2:30pm

Joseph Aderoju

Joseph Aderoju, self-published author, illustrator, educator, screenwriter, copywriter, business development consultant, producer and TV director. His peculiar passion is teaching the next generation of writer's the rudiment of writing. He has been honoured with many invitations as a visiting author from various schools.

Topic:

How To Create Your Own Cartoon Characters Using Shapes — 4:00pm

Lola Udabor

Lola Udabor is a seasoned hospitality professional and certified integrative health coach. Lola is known as the consistency coach and fitness motivator. She is the Operations Manager of Upbeat Recreation Centre, founder of Trim & Fettle and Breathe Woman. Lola helps women develop consistent habits around food and wellness so as to embrace healthy living as a lifestyle.
Lola is a complete foodie who loves to cook up a storm. She is also a fitness junkie. Lola believes that one should eat to live and not live to eat. She decided to take things up a notch in 2015 by focusing on healthy living. Lola upped her cooking game, trying out healthier meal recipes. When she’s not cooking, Lola serves as the Director of Mentorship and Training with Women In Hospitality Nigeria and a mentor with the Institute of Hospitality.
Lola also loves writing and does this on her personal blog.

Topic:

Trampoline Fitness — 8:00am

Mariam Longe

Mariam is a television personality with over four years of experience in co-hosting and leading conversations on diverse issues. She is also an Environmentalist, Author and Accountability coach. Currently, she is a co-host on the biggest Nigerian breakfast TV show "YourView" on TVC where she speaks on various socio-economic and political issues as it affects Nigeria and Nigerians.
She is also a two-time time Ambassador of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)" save the vultures and wildlife Campaign. In the past two years, she has used her platforms on television and Social media to continually educate and sensitize the Nigerian public on environmental sustainability, protection and conservation.
She has authored a book for children, called "Vultures to the rescue- the cleanup crew" which speaks about the importance role that vultures play in keeping the balance of our ecosystem. This book is her special way of introducing children and normalising the topic of environmental protection and conservation amongst our young children.
The book has met with great positive reviews and support by children, parents, teachers, schools, government parastatals and corporations.

Topic:

Vultures To The Rescue- The Cleanup Crew — 3:30pm

Mojoyin Adeshina

Mojoyinoluwa Adeshina is an amazing bundle of boundless gifts and grace. She is simply a little wonder and a smart observer. She is a programmer at 9 with 10 games in her kitty. She is one of the top five Union Bank Awaari Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Legend. In late 2020 she represented Nigeria as she emerged the first-runner up winner of the International Robotics Competition in Malaysia, out of 24 countries including Russia, Malaysia, Iran, Brazil, Japan, Syria, South Africa, Italy, etc. Mojoyin also learnt how to code and write programmes at age seven, using Scratch App during her summer holiday. Her love for coding enabled her to create games and Apps during her spare time. Through this, she has created about 10 different games. These include Pong Game, Fashion Game, Name Game. Apple Game, Hide and Seek Game and Favourite Pet Game among others.
Mojoyin’s dream is to build tech schools that will provide free high-quality education to less privileged children.

Topic:

Tribes Apart: The Nigeria of my Dream Series — 11:00am

Neo Akpofure

Actor & Lifestyle Influencer

Topic:

How Do I Tell Them? - 10 Things Parents Wish Their Children Knew — 8:30am

Nicole Chikwe

Lifestyle Entrepreneur

Topic:

Tips For Handling Difficult Conversations With Your Children — 12:00pm

Nnenna Ochiche

Nnenna is a medical doctor with a bias for Community Medicine. Her love for writing enables her use it as a tool for health education, as well as to motivate her readers to embrace African stories. She is also a wife, mom of four, a blogger and an aspiring movie maker. Her books for children are inspired by her memories of the child she was, as well as the antics of her own children who are her muses, biggest critics and biggest fans.
Ginika’s Adventures is her second book. It was on the long list for the NLNG Prize for Literature in 2019. She has two new books in the works and hopes to get them into the hands of her teeming fans this year.

Topic:

Adaeze The True Princess — 8:30am

Olamibo Balogun

Olamibo Balogun is an Educationist, Trainer, Counsellor, Consultant, the founder and creative director of Great Minds Literacy Readers. She holds post graduate diploma in English education (PGDE), B.ED. She is a Chartered Teacher with her qualification certificate from the Teachers Registration Council (TRC).
Also founder of Eminent minds Empowerment Initiative. Author of the book *Lily's Little Secret with Mummy*, a book on sexual abuse. She is a seasoned administrar, a leader and goal oriented team player with motivational and interpersonal skills that is geared towards achieving success for any organisation.
The brain behind the Vocabulary Bee in Abuja that started in 2018. Also an advocate for Girl Child Education, Women Emancipation and Empowerment. Aside reading, she derives joy in counselling young girls and women. She is also a lover of God.

Topic:

Lily's Little Secret With Mummy — 1:00pm

Olatunde Edem

Olatunde Edem is a graduate of the prestigious university of Lagod, with a first degree and a M.ed and in guidance counselling. She is the lead consultant at hopehouse counselling and consulting and an author of several books some of which is targeted at protecting children from sexual abuse and at character building, she believes that child every child counts.
Olatunde is also the convener of "amazing stories with olatunde" an online storytelling platform for children where she shares morals through storytelling. She is married and lives in Lagos with her family.

Topic:

Kelvin's Adventure On Character Building — 3:30pm

Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi

Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi is an author; the founder of Clever Clogs Books; the convener of the Akada Children's Book Festival and the Chairperson of the Association of Children’s Authors And Illustrators of Nigeria. She is passionate about creating visually-engaging, culturally-relevant content for children, and has a desire to see steadily increasing literacy rates within her community. Olubunmi was also the Executive Council Chairperson of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) for 2018 and 2019; and was a Member of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee for the 2019 Nigerian Economic Summit. Olubunmi sits on the board of Punch Nigeria Limited; Punch Commercial Printing; the Lagos Chapter of Young President’s Organisation and is a Trustee of the Punch Media Foundation.
Olubunmi, has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from City University London, and has also completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School as well as the Advanced Management & Leadership Program at Oxford University Said Business School. Olubunmi is a member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria; the Young Presidents’ Organization; the Corporate Governance Society of Nigeria and the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Nigeria.
Articles written by Olubunmi have been published in several national daily newspapers, such as PUNCH, BusinessDay, Guardian, Nation, Vanguard, New Telegraph, Sun, This Day and others.

Topic:

Websites Every Self-Published Author Must Know — 11:00am

Olusayo Ajetunmobi

Olusayo Ajetunmobi is an autodidactic fine artist and visual storyteller. 'Sayo is enamored with folklore and making art for children. She believes in the power of visual art and literature to empower the next generation of thinkers. Her visual art practice focuses on self-discovery, as it pertains to exploring, destigmatizing and decolonizing African stories, history and culture.
She has illustrated over a dozen published African children's stories by various authors and will debut as an author/illustrator with Farafina Tuuti in 2020. Her work and the stories they tell create a paradigm shift in the way Africans and women navigate reality. You can view her latest project at artofajet.com.

Topic:

The Greedy Ostrich — 5:00pm

Onyeka Michael Ugwu

Topic:

Choosing The Right Books For Your Children — 11:00am

Othuke Ominiabohs

Managing Director at Masobe Books and Logistics Limited

Topic:

Marketing & Distribution 101 - Level Up Your Book Sales! — 2:30pm

Ranti Akintobi

Ranti Akintobi is of Nigerian (African) descent, and a Finance professional with a career that spans over 24 years. A graduate of London South Bank University where she bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in Finance and an MBA in Finance from Saint Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois.
Over the years, Ranti has risen through the ranks of a Junior Accountant to a Financial Planning and Analysis Manager through sheer hard work, dedication and commitment. Ranti Akintobi is no green horn when it comes to numbers and leadership as she has held management positions such as Finance Manager, Regional Controller and Executive Director.
Just as her name, "Ranti" which means "remember" in the English language, Ranti is not one to forget her unique, and rich African roots. Born and raised in the ancient city of Ibadan, West Africa, you wont be amiss if you described Ranti Akintobi as the West African woman with international exposure.

Topic:

Toriola's Bedtime — 4:30pm

Sikemi Ifederu

Sikemi Ifederu is the Founder of Tambollo, a travel company committed to creating life changing experiences through travel in Africa. Her passion to showcase the beauty and richness of Africa to young children birthed the idea for the Adventure with Tambollo series.

Topic:

The Adventures of Tambollo — 4:00pm

Sola Njoku

Sola Njoku is a children’s author, fiction writer, freelance editor, journalist and mum of two based in the United Kingdom. Her Moyo ati Kayin book series (so far published in Yoruba, Igbo and Urhobo) is inspired by her own effort to get her multi-cultural children to achieve speech fluency in Yoruba, and particularly the dearth of written resources that she encountered during this endeavour.
Sola holds an MA in International Journalism and a B.Sc in Communications; she is currently researching Yoruba culture and Anglophone African Literature with a view to progressing onto a doctorate programme. She has been engaged in literary, culture and arts journalism for over a decade and has worked with BBC Africa, The Caine Prize, Granta and Next Newspapers. Her writing has been featured in Wasafiri, The Guardian, The Punch and many other Nigerian publications.
Her books, Moyo ati Kayin, Zim na Zaram and Ese ve Ejiro have been published in an attempt to promote early multilingualism as well as create an avenue for children to simultaneously develop a love of languages and literature – two of Sola’s lifelong passions.

Topic:

Moyo and Kayin Visit The Farm — 10:30am

Sola Adesakin

Topic:

Money Skills - The Ultimate Guide To Financial Independence For Children — 9:30am

Sope Martins

Sope Martins is the best-selling author of children's book The Greatest Animal in the Jungle. When she's not creating magical worlds with her stories, you can find her out and about in the city of Lagos, where she has built a career in broadcasting.
One day, if Sope has her wish granted, you might just find her in a book!

Topic:

Riddle Riddle — 9:00am

Stephanie Kadiri “StephREDD”

Identity & Communication Coach

Topic:

What To Do If You Are Happy On The Outside But Sad On The Inside — 10:30am

Stephanie Coker Aderinokun

With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Stephanie Coker is vibrant, spontaneous and effervescent. She has created a lane for herself, moving from England to Nigeria at 22 and successfully bridging a connection between the two worlds of home and the diaspora. If she's not on screen presenting for global networks like MTV, The Next Titan or The Voice, she’s lending her voice on her ‘Me, Herself and Everything Else’ podcast where she hosts candid conversations on issues affecting women, society and relationships. As a champion of womanhood, she is dedicated to bringing light to issues faced by women in Africa from health to how they live their daily lives.
An alumni of Brunel university, studying Communication and Media she advocates for perfecting your craft through education. In 2021, she became a self published children's author with her picture book ‘Ariella and the talking drum’ which celebrates African culture in its setting and characterization and teaches young readers a valuable lesson about contemptment.
As an award winning actress in the Nollywood Film industry, she has worked with producers such as Kemi Adetiba and Toyin Abraham appearing in films such as Fate of Alakada and King of Boys II. Off screen, you can find her behind the lens as a producer, as the owner of SCA studios, a production company which develops documentaries and films with depth, telling the stories of the voiceless. Her debut documentary, ‘Where the heck is my period’ follows the journey of 11 Nigerian women who struggle with Polycystic ovarian syndrome, a hormonal disorder and one of the leading causes of infertility, the feature length docu was selected to screen at the prestigious 2022 Africa international film festival.

Topic:

Ariella And The Talking Drum — 2:00pm

Supreme Education Foundation

Topic:

My Favourite Book — 12:30pm

Taiwo Adegboyega-Conde

Dr. Taiwo Adegboyega-Conde has been teaching the English Language for 17years to Primary, Secondary, University and Adult Learners in Nigeria, UK and the Middle East. She currently teaches Public Speaking, Business Writing skills to corporate executives in Nigeria’s financial, FMCG and Health sectors as well as Faith based Organizations. She also teaches Academic English, Research and critical thinking skills, as well as prepares candidates for SAT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS & TOEFL.
She also serves as the Programme Director for Pyramid Educational Advancement Foundation, where she develops the lesson plan and exercises used by mentors for the 8 weeks ‘Connecting the Dots’ Mentoring program in Senior Secondary Schools. She started The Read Along Africa group on Facebook as a platform to mentor teenagers on different topics like career, family life, peer pressure, sex education via these various activities (e.g. Book Review, Book Brunch, Let’s Talk Africa etc.) that takes place on the page. There are over 7000 teenagers from over 10 countries across Africa, Asia, America and the Middle East on the group. Dr. Taiwo loves to read, watch movies and travel. She has a PhD in English Language & Intercultural Communications from Anglia Ruskin University, UK.

Topic:

10 Reasons Why There Should Be A Library On Every Street — 1:30pm

Temiloluwa Adeshina

Temiloluwa Adeshina is an Alumnus of Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) 2021, a United States Consulate Initiative. She was conferred with the Award of Exceptional Leader of Excellence by the Women Economic Forum (WEF), Bangalor, India in 2021. Temiloluwa is passionate about learning hence in 2021/2022, she became a Cisco-certified IT Essential CCNA Professional.
Temiloluwa Adeshina is a TEDx and a Women Economic Forum Speaker, a serial social entrepreneur, an author, and a seasoned British Curriculum teacher. She holds a PGD in Education and MBA powered by World's Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC). She won 2020 Access Bank Pitch-a-ton. Temiloluwa is the co-founder and the Lead Learning Officer at Readland. Readland is committed to raising leaders of competence and character through special reading, digital literacy and softskill empowerment programs.
She is also an Author, her published books include Lagos State approved, Bantu the Big Bad Bully, an Anti-Bullying Book Series, arguably the first Anti-Bullying Book Series in Africa. Her books strategically revolves around moral activities and projects that fix the moral and value system challenges in children. Such activity includes the Award-Winning, Lagos State Approved Anti-Bullying Programs mandated for all schools in the State. Hence the adoption of the book as the resource material on bullying in schools. Another book Wangari Mathai, the Mother of trees has been adopted by the Lagos State Parks & Gardens Agency (LASPARK) as the official tree planting book in Lagos State.

Topic:

Bantu The Big Bad Bully — 8:00am

Temiloluwa Prisca Ogunlere

Temiloluwa Prisca Ogunlere is a member of prestigious Readland Creative Writing Masterclass, where many children are trained to be child-author. At age 10, she was awarded the Readland Super Writer of the week. Temiloluwa is 10 years old, she is born to the supportive family of Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ogunlere.
She is beautiful, resourceful and intelligent. Temiloluwa enjoys reading, writing, singing, drawing and loves playing violin, guitar and keyboard.

Topic:

The Adorable Adenike and The Villagers' Bridge — 11:00am

Tony Olaniji

Tony Olaniji is an enthusiastic storyteller, a story consultant, writing instructor and children's book author. He's also an award-winning screenwriter, piano player, children piano trainer and filmmaker.
Over the years, he's helped budding writers gain an enhanced understanding of the science and structure of storytelling. He's been a part of various children-themed initiatives and has also lectured at film festivals and workshops.
Tony trains writers, both children and adults, and also critiques children's book manuscripts. His new children's storybook is titled Kíyèsi: A Collection of African Stories for Children. He holds a bachelor's degree in English from Lagos State University.

Topic:

Kiyesi: A Collection of African Stories For Children — 9:30am

Tunde Onakoya

Founder, Chess In Slums Africa

Topic:

Do You Really Think I Can Do That? — 11:30am