For nearly a decade, the Lagos International Poetry Festival (LIPFest) has redefined Lagos’s cultural identity, drawing poets and creatives from around the world to celebrate the art of words. Now in its ninth year, the festival has cemented its place as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s literary scene, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with major cultural events such as Lagos Fashion Week and Art X Lagos.
Set against the backdrop of Lagos—a city famed for its frenetic energy and relentless chaos—LIPFest is a paradoxical refuge, offering solace and inspiration to wordsmiths and artists. Each October, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant hub for creativity, attracting local and international audiences to explore the dynamic interplay of spoken and written word, tradition and modernity, and chaos and order.
Since its inception, LIPFest has been guided by the visionary leadership of Efe Paul Azino, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated spoken word poets. As Festival Director, Azino has orchestrated an event that not only celebrates poetry but also positions Lagos as a global epicenter for literary exchange.
“In creating LIPFest, the vision was simple,” Azino explains. “To establish an annual gathering in Lagos where poets from across the world could come together to celebrate the written and spoken word. Over the years, we’ve grown into a platform that connects younger voices with established ones, and African poets with the global Black diaspora, fostering collaborations and cultural exchanges that extend beyond borders.”
This year’s festival, held from October 26th to 29th at the Alliance Française Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, once again showcased its magnetic appeal. Young poets from across Nigeria—Benin, Jos, Ogun, Ibadan, and beyond—flocked to Lagos, their passion for poetry evident in their eclectic style and book-laden arms. The venue became a pulsating nucleus of creativity, with readings, performances, and conversations that embodied the festival’s ethos of connection and inspiration.
The attendees, a blend of emerging talents and seasoned voices, brought their unique energy to the event. Whether donning bold, eccentric attire or understated outfits paired with tote bags, they all carried the hallmark of a community deeply immersed in the arts
LIPFest’s impact reaches far beyond its four days of festivities. Over the past nine years, it has become a launchpad for Nigerian poets, providing them with opportunities to showcase their work to international audiences and engage in global dialogues. Through partnerships with cultural institutions and corporate sponsors, the festival has created pathways for poets to travel, collaborate, and grow their craft on an international stage.
From panel discussions to poetry masterclasses, LIPFest is as much about education and empowerment as it is about celebration. Its platform has allowed African poets to take their rightful place on the global stage, bridging cultures and fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness of African literature.
As LIPFest approaches its tenth anniversary, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of art in even the most unpredictable environments. Lagos, with its unyielding chaos, paradoxically serves as the perfect home for this celebration of creativity, reminding us that beauty and brilliance often emerge from the most turbulent places.
With its unwavering commitment to nurturing talent and amplifying voices, LIPFest continues to shape the narrative of poetry in Africa and beyond. As it prepares to mark a decade of poetic excellence, the festival remains a beacon for the enduring power of words to inspire, connect, and transcend boundaries.
