How are you able to drive this initiative, audience, and support in a society that appears to be so philistine towards books and hostile to indigenous culture?

I am a writer so I can articulate the reasons why culture and literature are critical. I am a living example; my work is a reflection of the society we live in. There is something to learn, there is something entertaining and there is something to be appreciated in all works of art. Sometimes people just need reminding. I wouldn’t say society is philistine; I think we have just become obsessed with material, which in itself is a consequence of widespread poverty. At the Ake Festival last year, we were so encouraged by the number of independent people who just walked in off the streets, keen to participate in the festival activities. Right now, there is a buzz on social media, people are talking about it, people are registering and an unprecedented rate. Our culture, our traditions, out creative output have a way of defining us.

What does a writer lose, if she/he has to organise a festival of this nature and magnitude? Writing in itself is a huge task so what does the writer in you lose?

You lose the time which should be devoted to your own creative pursuits. But this is something that I really enjoy doing. It’s a polygamous marriage of the things I am passionate about: books, culture and education. I ran Infusion for three years when I was living in Abuja. When I was living in Ibadan in 2001, I founded the Ibadan Arts Renaissance. Bringing people together gives me a real buzz. So, it’s a massive privilege for me to be able to do this.

So, you are driven not just by writing but also these other things around books?

Totally! I love seeing creative chemistry at work, especially amongst writers–the way they bounce off each other. I’m also cultivating a list of incredibly talented moderators and hosts: Patrick Okigbo, Molara Wood, Eghosa Imasuen, Wana Udobang, Ayodele Morocco-Clark. These are the people who really make things happen. And this year we have Jerome Okolo, Kola Tobosun joining us. I’m happy when I walk into a room and people are engaged in a healthy debate on a topic that I thought in my head one morning. It’s a cycle of creativity – somebody thinks up a theme or a topic, someone else brings it to life, someone else listens and reports it. I take it all very seriously.

Let’s get to your own work now. It’s been a while since we had something of the magnitude of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives. What has been going on between then and now?

A lot. I have been doing all sorts of little bits and pieces of creative writing. I’m writing articles, I’m also contributing to journals, magazines. There is never a point where I stop writing. My problem is just finding the time to all the things I am inspired to do. My children are still at the stage in their lives where I have to be present, if not physically, then at least emotionally. I’m finding parenthood to be all-consuming, in a good way. But I’m one for believing that there is a time for everything so the next book is coming.