How BOBAFEST is Inspiring a New Narrative for Borno

In November 2022, Sa’id Sa’ad, an international journalist and writer, initiated the Borno Books and Arts Festival (BOBAFEST) in Maiduguri, the capital city of Nigeria’s Borno State. His vision was to counter the negative narratives surrounding Borno State and empower young people to share their stories and contribute to the development of locally-driven solutions.

BOBAFEST serves as a platform for creatives, professionals, and thinkers to engage in meaningful dialogue and exchange ideas on art, culture, technology, and the evolving narrative of Borno.

After a 1-year hiatus, the festival returned in December 2024 with a 2-day workshop on creative writing, journalism, mobile videography, painting, and the use of artificial intelligence, conducted from 18th to 19th December, followed by the main festival from 20th to 22nd.

Addressing over 500 attendees at the Armani Event Centre in Maiduguri for the second edition of BOBAFEST, Khadijah Jimeh, a creative writer and art curator who succeeded Sa’id as the festival’s director, expressed that despite the challenges faced by Borno State, including a decade of insurgency perpetrated by Boko Haram, the tragic loss of lives, and the devastating impact of recent floods, these unfortunate events do not define the true essence of Borno and its people.

“We are the ones whose hospitality you’d smell from afar. The ones whose smiles you’d smile to. The ones who read history, law, medicine, and politics, the ones who know power, the ones who write books, the ones who tell stories. We are Borno because we are connected to our ancestors, and because we are the ones who bounce back every time a calamity happens. We are the ones that use words, lenses, canvases, and fabrics to reimagine [a better] tomorrow,” Khadijah stated.

On the first day, the festival honoured the late Abubakar Othman with a Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contributions to the literary community in Borno State. During his lifetime, Othman generously invested his time, resources, and network in creating a vibrant and supportive creative environment, especially for young people. The award was presented to his son, Ali Othman.

Art and photo exhibitions were showcased, followed by a panel discussion on the role of festivals, exhibitions, and trade fairs in promoting Northern Nigeria. Moderated by Yahuza Bawage, the panel featured insights from Hadiza Abubakar and Yahuza Rabi’u Garba, who offered recommendations on enhancing the adoption of cultural values and promoting art originating from Northern Nigeria.

Aisha Jamal facilitated a discussion on improving access to quality basic education, peacebuilding, and community development, where Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu, Executive Director of the Centre for Advocacy, Transparency, and Accountability Initiative (CATAI), emphasized the need for government institutions to implement innovative approaches to address the challenges facing basic education in the region.

The BOBAFEST book chats displayed the works of several authors, including Aliyu Danladi’s short story collection ‘Storm Across the Sahel,’ Aisha Amdagas’s ‘Love In a Hot Climate’ and ‘Seasons and Feelings,’ co-authored with the late Abubakar Othman, Muhammad Sani Ibrahim’s ‘The Past Nightmares of Borno,’ sponsored by Abubakar Sadiq Mu’azu, and Sa’id Sa’ad’s audio play ‘Gangare,’ produced with support from CATAI.

Day 2 of the festival commenced with in-depth discussions on strategies for promoting local climate education and action, led by Ahmed Abdulkadir, a global education expert. The panel, including climate action champions Halima Bawah and Ibrahim Aliyu Izge, and legal practitioner Baba Kura Alhaji, stressed the need for community-driven climate solutions and education programs that cater to individuals from all walks of life. Izge also noted the potential of utilizing creative methods like social media and interactive workshops in disseminating climate awareness across communities.

Muhammad Bukar Umara, a social entrepreneur and development practitioner, hosted a panel discussion on “The Impact of Japa Syndrome.” The panel comprised Sa’id Sa’ad, a journalist with Deutsche Welle, Abba Ali Yarima, a national project officer at UNODC, and Abubakar Gambo, a software developer and founder of Cerebro Systems.

The panelists presented diverse perspectives on the significant role that Nigerians working in the diaspora play in the development of their hometowns. Sa’id, with a touch of humour, remarked that ideally, every extended family in Nigeria should have at least one member residing abroad.

The panel discussion, “Monetizing Creative Skills in Northern Nigeria: The Opportunities, Challenges, and Pathways to Success,” hosted by Daniel Yohanna, captivated the audience. Panelists Isma’il Auwal, Qalbsaleem Muhammad, and Abubakar Danladi urged creatives and entrepreneurs to prioritize developing strong marketing skills.

Isma’il, however, maintained that business owners must work towards earning customer support. “It is the responsibility of the business owner to earn that support. The onus is on them to convince, attract, and, yes, even subtly manipulate people into buying their products or services. This is the essence of marketing,” he said.

Another key discussion at the festival which centred on the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus Approach, advocates for a unified response in crisis-prone areas. Facilitated by Baba Abdullahi Machina, the session included panelists Mu’azu Modu Alhaji, Benjamin John, and Zainab Chellube, who pointed out the importance of integrating peacebuilding initiatives into development and humanitarian efforts and pushing for inclusive dialogue and conflict-sensitive frameworks to address the root causes of crises in Nigeria’s northeast.

The audience was also engaged in a series of stimulating panel discussions, exploring topics such as mental health, the potential of artificial intelligence, the role of Tsangaya institutions in education, the future of Borno State, and the critical issue of child protection within the context of ongoing insecurity.

The highlight of Day 3 was the Abubakar Othman Poetry Slam, where Diana Hyelsinthia emerged victorious after defeating seven other contenders to claim the N100,000 prize.

Beyond the intriguing panel discussions and engaging book chats, the festival attracted participants and guests from across Maiduguri and other parts of Northern Nigeria. As they departed the Armani Event Centre on the evening of December 22nd, many attendees carried with them cherished memories. Visitors from outside Maiduguri gained a new perspective on the city after discovering a bustling Maiduguri that is rich in stories and brimming with life.

For curator Khadijah, the festival would not have been possible without the “immense support” and “welcoming arms” extended by numerous partners. Their belief in her team’s vision was instrumental in bringing the festival to fruition.