The event, organised by Narrative Landscape, her Nigerian publishers, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to mark the writer’s long-anticipated return.
By Evidence Egwuono Adjarho
Celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, made her second major book-related appearance in Lagos following the release of her latest novel, Dream Count, at a book signing event held on Friday, 27th June, 2025 at MUSON Centre. The event, organised by Narrative Landscape, her Nigerian publishers, drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to mark the writer’s long-anticipated return.
The event began after a short delay with a spoken word performance by JoyToTheWords, known for her barefoot recitals. Her poetry, delivered in a mix of English and Igbo, touched on themes of love and identity, drawing warm applause from an audience of over 100 attendees, including public figures, students, literary enthusiasts, and book influencers.
Adichie, seated at the front in a bright yellow dress, natural hair styled in a bun, and red lipstick matching her toenails, appeared visibly engaged throughout the evening. The session formally opened with a welcome address by Anwuli Ojogwu, Managing Director and Co-founder of Narrative Landscape, who emphasised Adichie’s longstanding connection to her readers.
The main highlight of the event was a Q&A session moderated by media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, and featuring Adichie in conversation. The discussion focused on Dream Count, with Adichie describing the book as a project that emerged after a prolonged period of writer’s block. During this time, she noted, she immersed herself in talks and seminars to distract from her inability to write fiction. She eventually regained her creative spark, which led to the birth of the novel.
She also reflected on personal experiences that shaped the novel, particularly the loss of both her parents within a short period. She spoke candidly about how her father’s critiques and her mother’s unwavering support have influenced her journey as a writer and individual.
Beyond personal anecdotes, the conversation explored broader literary themes. Adichie described fiction writing as “almost spiritual” and reaffirmed the unique value of literature. “Books are so much more important than film”, she said. On her writing approach for Dream Count, she asserted, “We have to write literature in a way that is deeply honest. Otherwise, what is the point? Literature, after all, is the last frontier for telling us the truth about ourselves”.
Adichie also addressed challenges in the publishing industry, particularly for emerging writers. She cited her experience with her 2003 book, Purple Hibiscus, which faced 25 rejections before eventual acceptance, one of which came from an editor who would later praise the book years on.
On the subject of feminism, Adichie clarified that Dream Count is not a feminist work, arguing that labels often carry preconceived expectations. Rather, her aim was to tell the stories of women in a truthful and nuanced manner.
She also discussed societal issues such as sexual assault and the barriers to justice, stressing the importance of literature in addressing systemic problems.
Audience members were later invited to ask questions, one of which concerned Artificial Intelligence. Adichie strongly criticised AI, stating, “AI is a threat to creativity, but it is up to us to resist”. She also spoke about the dangers of social media addiction and advised attendees to cultivate a reading habit, recommending at least two pages of a book each day.
The event concluded with her urging the audience to act on their aspirations: “Bring out those dreams in your pocket. Try. You never know.”
Following the Lagos event, the Dream Count Homecoming Tour is set to continue in Abuja. Adichie’s presence, however, will leave a lasting impact that will resonate beyond the tour’s conclusion.