The Creative Arts Initiative (CAI), Project Owner of the Bookworm African Literary Championship, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), through its Directorate of Education, Training and Scholarship, have entered into a strategic partnership to ensure the successful execution of the Bookworm project.
At a mild but significant ceremony held at the Abuja office of CAI, both organizations consolidated their collaboration to make the literary championship a national and continental success. The agreement was formalized by Mrs. Akudo Nwokorie, President of Creative Arts Initiative and Executive Producer of the Project, and Amb. Olalekan Abdulganiyu Abolarin, Director, Directorate of Education, Training and Scholarship, NYCN National Secretariat.
The partnership underscores the commitment of both parties to promote literacy, revive the reading culture, and create a platform for African youths to showcase their academic, creative, and cultural knowledge. It also reinforces the Bookworm Project as a platform for the promotion of literary works from young authors, giving them visibility and recognition at both national and continental levels. The NYCN pledged to leverage its extensive goodwill, structures, and networks nationwide to mobilize sponsorship and support from organizations, associations, and distinguished stakeholders towards the project’s success.
The Bookworm is a novel African literary competition designed to inspire and celebrate academic excellence across the continent. Structured as a 13-episode televised educational series, the competition will feature participation from all 36 states in Nigeria. Each state will be represented by its top secondary school, selected through rigorous preliminary contests across local government councils.
State champions will converge at the National Championship, a grand celebration of knowledge, creativity, history, science, and culture. Beyond being a contest, the championship is a platform for fostering youth development, regional integration, cultural pride, and now, the discovery and celebration of young African authors.
The project enjoys approvals and endorsements from reputable institutions and bodies, including:
NATCOM–UNESCO
ECOWAS
Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS)
Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy
Federal Ministry of Education
Federal Ministry of Budget & National Planning
FCT Secondary Education Board
FCT Department of Art and Culture, Social Development Secretariat
Durham University, UK
Chioma Acholonu Foundation
The initiative is aimed at renewing and reviving the reading culture, providing hope and exposure to young Africans, promoting literary creativity, and offering scholarships that will empower them to become future leaders. The programme is designed not only as a competition but as a family-oriented educational TV series, to be broadcast on both an international and a local television station.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Nwokorie expressed optimism that the partnership with NYCN would amplify the impact of the Bookworm project:
“This collaboration is not just about a competition; it is about shaping futures, giving hope, and rewriting the African story through the brilliance of our young minds.”
Amb. Abolarin emphasized NYCN’s commitment to the partnership:
“The Council is proud to be associated with such a visionary initiative. Together, we will mobilize the needed support and ensure that this project becomes a legacy for Nigeria and Africa at large.”
The Bookworm African Literary Championship is poised to become a flagship programme that will not only entertain but also educate, inspire, and unite Africa’s future leaders, while promoting and celebrating the literary works of young authors.