Association of Nigerian Authors

Association of Nigerian Authors
Ukabia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Association of Nigerian Authors
Formation	1981
Type	Literary organization
Headquarters	Lagos, Nigeria
Region served	Nigeria
Language	English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo
Leader title	President

Association of Nigerian Authors is a Nigerian literary organization founded in 1981 to promote creative writing and literary culture across Nigeria. It brings together novelists, poets, playwrights, critics and essayists from diverse regions including Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. The association connects members with literary festivals, universities, publishers and cultural institutions such as the University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University, and the National Theatre.

History

Founded in 1981 in Lagos, the association emerged during a period shaped by figures linked to postcolonial literature like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta, Christopher Okigbo and Flora Nwapa. Early leadership drew on networks that included authors associated with institutions such as the University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Yaba College of Technology and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. The association’s development intersected with cultural events like the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture and policy debates involving the Nigerian Copyright Commission, the National Arts Theatre, and literary journals such as Transition (journal), The Nigerian Writer and Okike. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s it interacted with publishers including Heinemann (publisher), Longman (publisher), Spectrum Books and Macmillan Publishers. Prominent members over time have included writers associated with movements and publications involving Femi Osofisan, Aminu Kano (as a notable northern figure influencer), Ken Saro-Wiwa, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Helon Habila, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Niyi Osundare, and Segun Afolabi.

Organization and Membership

The association is structured with national officers, regional chapters in states such as Kano State, Rivers State, Oyo State and Enugu State, and local branches in cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Benin City. Governance features elected positions similar to bodies at University of Ibadan student unions and professional associations tied to institutions like the Nigerian Bar Association and Nigerian Medical Association although focused on literary practice. Membership categories have included emerging writers, established novelists, poets, playwrights and critics connected to outlets such as Guardian (Nigeria), Daily Trust, ThisDay and Vanguard (Nigeria). The association has affiliated chapters with cultural centres such as the National Museum Lagos and partner organisations including British Council Nigeria, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization country offices, and regional bodies like the African Writers Series network.

Activities and Programs

Activities have included national conferences, public readings, workshops and festivals partnering with entities like the Lagos Book and Arts Festival, the Abuja Literary Festival, and the Calabar Book Festival. Programs span mentorship schemes with universities such as Obafemi Awolowo University, residency collaborations with institutions like the Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos and publishing initiatives tied to presses such as Cassava Republic Press. The association has organized writing contests, poetry slams, school outreach in states like Kebbi State and Anambra State, and literary tours involving venues like the Muson Centre. It has been involved in advocacy on matters overlapping with the Nigerian Copyright Commission and partnered with media organisations including BBC Hausa, Channels Television and Arise News for public events.

Awards and Recognition

The association has administered prizes and recognition schemes that have highlighted authors later shortlisted for awards such as the Caine Prize for African Writing, the Commonwealth Writers Prize, the Man Booker Prize longlist, and the Nigeria Prize for Literature. Honorees have included novelists and poets who also received accolades from institutions like The Folio Prize, Forward Prizes for Poetry, PEN International and national honours like Nigeria’s Order of the Federal Republic. The association itself has been recognized in cultural circuits alongside organisations such as Arts Council England and festivals like the Hay Festival for its role in talent development and literary promotion.

Controversies and Criticisms

The association has faced controversies familiar to literary organisations, including disputes over leadership elections that echoed wider Nigerian governance contests involving figures linked to state politics in Lagos State and Abuja Federal Capital Territory. Criticisms have arisen around transparency in prize administration similar to debates seen in institutions like the Nigeria Prize for Science and editorial conflicts comparable to controversies at journals such as Ikenga. Debates within the membership have referenced tensions between anglophone and regional-language advocacy involving scholars and writers from Hausa literature, Yoruba literature and Igbo literature traditions, engaging figures connected to the Pan-African Writers' Association and international bodies such as PEN International. Some public disputes involved media outlets including The Punch (Nigeria), Daily Independent (Nigeria), and broadcasters such as NTA.

Category:Literary societies Category:Organizations established in 1981 Category:Literature of Nigeria