By Glorious Idowu
Writers, artists and culture enthusiasts gathered at Ouida, Opebi, Lagos recently for the launch of the Nigeria Picture Book Project, a joint effort between the Book Buzz Foundation and the European Union. The event marked a major step toward encouraging new voices in children’s literature and promoting stories that reflect Nigerian life and culture.
The project will train and mentor 48 young writers and illustrators drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country. The goal is to produce children’s books that are creative, engaging and relatable to Nigerian readers.
The programme opened with a short documentary that followed the journey of authors and illustrators who have worked with the Book Buzz Foundation. It captured their challenges and growth, showing how the right support can turn creative ideas into real stories.
Founder of the Book Buzz Foundation, Lola Shoneyin, described the project as a meeting point between storytelling and purpose. She said the idea came from her own experience as a children’s author who realised that most books available in Nigerian bookstores came from abroad.
“Our children deserve stories that look and sound like home,” she said. “It is about helping them find their identity and building their imagination.”
Shoneyin explained that the project would train six writers and six illustrators from each geopolitical zone through online sessions so that everyone can participate. The first phase will produce 20 books, while the larger target is to publish 100 children’s titles by 2027. She said the plan was to revive the children’s publishing industry, create opportunities for young talents and show that storytelling can be a viable profession.
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The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, describing it as part of the EU’s wider efforts to promote culture and creativity across Africa.
“Culture connects people,” he said. “This is not only about art but also about helping creators earn a living from their work. We want to see Nigerian artists thrive.”
In an interview after the event, the ambassador spoke of his love for literature and its role in building understanding among people. He recalled leading a similar cultural project for the European Union at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico before coming to Nigeria.
“It is important for children to read stories that come from their own environment,” he said. “Once they know who they are, they can confidently explore the world.”
He added that the EU would continue to support projects in film, art and creative education under its Global Gateway initiative. “We are not here to tell Nigerian creators what to do,” he said. “We are here to help them grow and expand their opportunities.”
Head of Human Development in the EU Delegation, Ms. Leila Ben Amor Mathieu, said the project ties into the EU’s ongoing work in education, especially programmes aimed at helping out-of-school children return to learning.
“Reading is the beginning of imagination,” she said.
“We want every child in Nigeria to have access to stories that inspire them to think and dream.”
Some of the authors and illustrators who took part in the project shared their experiences.
Children’s author Toyin Falugi Ekezie, writer of the Ugo and Sim Sim series, said working with the Book Buzz Foundation was a turning point. “It was liberating to just focus on writing while the team handled the rest,” she said. “Everything about this project is Nigerian made, and that means a lot to me.”
She added that the project gave her a new sense of pride in Nigerian creativity. “People often assume we cannot produce world-class work here. But this project shows that we can,” she said.
Illustrator Chukwu Chiamaka Barbara said she joined the programme because she wanted to give children images that looked like them. “It helps when children see their culture and people in books,” she said. “It builds their confidence and helps them imagine more.”
Barbara believes the demand for local stories is growing. “People want Nigerian stories. We just have to keep putting our work out there and believing in it,” she said.
Another illustrator, Kayode Onimole, who worked on titles such as Tunde the Chess Champion and Akumbu and the Mother Hen, spoke about the importance of cultural detail in children’s books. “Something as simple as how a Yoruba man wears his cap means something,” he said. “That is why it matters that we tell our stories ourselves.”
He praised Book Buzz and Ouida for the opportunity. “They didn’t wait for us to ask. They looked for Nigerian artists and brought international illustrators to train with us. That kind of collaboration helps us grow,” he said.
The event ended with the official unveiling of the Nigeria Picture Book Project and a vote of thanks by Mazida Oluyotosin, who appreciated the European Union and the Book Buzz Foundation for their support.
The Nigeria Picture Book Project is more than a publishing initiative. It is a step toward helping Nigerian children see themselves in stories, and toward building a future where local writers and illustrators can tell those stories with pride.
As Lola Shoneyin said, “When a child sees themselves in a story, they learn to dream without permission.”