The Ademola Adesola Book Conversation will bring poetry lovers, scholars, and readers together in Lagos for an afternoon of literary reflection. The event will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at RovingHeights Bookstore, Landmark Centre, Victoria Island.
The gathering will focus on Dancing with My Tongue, the debut poetry collection by Nigerian-Canadian poet and scholar Ademola Adesola. During the event, Adesola will discuss the inspiration behind the collection and the ideas that shaped its powerful themes. Award-winning playwright and poet Babatunde Odubanwo will lead the conversation.
The free event invites members of the public to explore a collection that examines identity, migration, injustice, and hope through compelling poetry.
Ademola Adesola Book Conversation Highlights Powerful Debut
Dancing with My Tongue marks an important milestone in Adesola’s literary journey. The collection spans four carefully arranged sections that examine both personal experiences and wider social realities.
The poems move between Nigeria and Canada while addressing political disillusionment, racial prejudice, displacement, love, and belonging. Rather than offering simple answers, the collection encourages readers to reflect on difficult truths.
Professor Olusegun Adekoya describes the book as “a consciously crafted book” in which Adesola “hews down a forest of falsehoods, holds aloft few stubborn trunks of truth, embraces all that support life, and fights all that diminish it.”
Poet Jumoke Verissimo also praises the work. She says the collection carries “the incandescent fury of a voice that refuses to be stifled.”
Its four sections—Political Ponderings, Razors of Race, Balm of Belonging, Medicine for the Mind, and A Playful Seriousness—explore the emotional and political realities that shape modern life.
Fairchild Media Publishing, an imprint of Fairchild and Brave Limited, published the collection.
Author Blends Scholarship with Creative Expression
Ademola Adesola combines academic excellence with an accomplished literary career. He serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Languages, and Cultures at Mount Royal University in Canada.
He earned his PhD from the University of Manitoba after completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.
Before entering academia, Adesola worked as a journalist on the Arts Desk of The Nation Newspapers. He later lectured at Kings University in Nigeria.
His research focuses on postcolonial literature, African and Black diaspora literature, child soldier narratives, and human rights. His work has appeared in several respected publications.
Adesola has also written a forthcoming scholarly monograph titled Representations of Child Soldiers in Contemporary African Narratives. In recognition of his academic achievements, he received several honours, including the Berdie and Irvin Cohen Scholarship in Peace and Conflict Studies.
Babatunde Odubanwo Brings Rich Literary Experience
The conversation will benefit from the experience of Babatunde Odubanwo, an accomplished playwright, poet, and cultural advocate.
Odubanwo has built a reputation for creating works that challenge audiences to think deeply about Nigeria’s social and political realities.
His recent play, Maren, co-written with Femi Adebajo, honoured Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka on his 90th birthday. The title comes from the name Soyinka’s grandfather gave him.
His earlier production, Idi Amin, featured at the Lagos Book and Arts Festival in 2025. His creative achievements have also earned nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Beyond his writing, Odubanwo remains a key figure at Artmosphere Nigeria. The platform has promoted meaningful artistic conversations since its launch in 2011.
RovingHeights and Artmosphere Continue to Shape Nigeria’s Literary Culture
RovingHeights Bookstore has become one of Nigeria’s leading literary institutions. Founded by the Eyinade siblings in 2015, the business has grown from a small online bookstore into a nationwide brand.
Today, RovingHeights operates nine bookstores across Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Kano. Each location serves as both a retail outlet and a community space for readers, authors, and creatives.
The company also supports literacy through book donations and community outreach programmes. In 2023, it received a special commendation in the “Bookstore of the Year” category at the London Book Fair International Excellence Awards. It stood as the only African bookstore shortlisted in the category.
Artmosphere Nigeria has also played an important role in supporting Nigerian arts and culture. Founded by Femi Morgan in 2011, the platform creates spaces where literature, music, poetry, and visual arts come together.
Since its launch, Artmosphere has hosted more than 100 respected artists and cultural figures. Among them are Prof. Niyi Osundare, Prof. Tanure Ojaide, Jumoke Verissimo, Tade Ipadeola, Burna Boy, and Victor Ehikhamenor.
Following a six-year break, Artmosphere returned in November 2024 at Aramide Hub in Surulere, Lagos. Since then, it has organised successful cultural events, including a tribute to Kanayo O. Kanayo and the “Loving and Living” edition featuring musicians Edez and BR Olorin.
The platform continues to create spaces where artists and audiences engage in thoughtful conversations. The upcoming Ademola Adesola Book Conversation adds another important chapter to that mission.
The Ademola Adesola Book Conversation promises an engaging afternoon for readers who appreciate poetry, culture, and meaningful dialogue. Guests will hear directly from the author as he reflects on Dancing with My Tongue and the experiences that inspired the collection.
The event is free and open to the public. It will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM at RovingHeights Bookstore, Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Dancing with My Tongue and meet the author after the discussion
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