The Creative Director of Purplebloom Publishers, Bodija, Ibadan, Mrs. Adejoke Adepoju Oyekan, made the call while speaking on the need to strengthen the country’s literary culture and promote opportunities for emerging writers.
Oyekan said supporting young authors would contribute to the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural heritage, while also providing a platform for the younger generation to document their experiences, ideas and perspectives for future generations.
She spoke on Monday ahead of the second edition of the Authors’ Conference, organised by Purplebloom Publishers and scheduled for August 27, 2026, at the IACD Library/American Corner, Leventis Building, Magazine Road, Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The publisher stressed that writing should not be regarded simply as a creative pastime, noting that literature remains a powerful tool for communicating ideas, exposing social challenges and influencing positive change.
According to her, writers often have the ability to draw public attention to issues that might otherwise remain unnoticed, while their works can educate readers, stimulate conversations and inspire action.
“We highlight the moral lessons contained in written works and also bring certain social problems to the attention of the public. There are issues happening in the background that people may not be aware of, and we felt that writing could give such issues visibility,” she said.
Oyekan, who studied Mass Communication and has gained experience working with various media houses and publishing organisations, said government intervention and institutional support were necessary to build sustainable platforms for young writers.
She called for greater efforts to encourage reading and writing among young Nigerians, arguing that changing reading patterns should not be interpreted as a complete loss of interest in books.
“I usually disagree with the assertion that young people no longer read,” she said, urging stakeholders to understand changing habits and develop fresh approaches capable of attracting younger audiences.
Advice to Aspiring Authors
The publisher encouraged aspiring writers to make reading a fundamental part of their development, saying a strong reading culture would help them improve their understanding, vocabulary, creativity and ability to communicate effectively.
“If you want to become a writer, you must start reading. Read widely, think deeply and put your thoughts down,” she said.
Oyekan also advised emerging authors not to allow the fear of imperfection to prevent them from expressing their ideas.
“You don’t have to be perfect to become an author or write a book,” she said.
She explained that aspiring writers could explore different forms and genres instead of believing that authorship was limited to autobiographies. She noted that fiction, personal essays and other forms of writing could provide meaningful avenues for people to express themselves and preserve their experiences.
“Before writing, they should look forward to putting down a legacy. It doesn’t have to be an autobiography. You can write fiction. You can write personal essays,” she said.
According to her, the most important consideration should be the ability of a writer to communicate meaningful ideas and produce work that can remain valuable beyond the writer’s immediate generation.
Authors’ Conference Returns
Speaking on the forthcoming Authors’ Conference, Oyekan said the initiative was established with her team as a platform where writers could meet, discuss their works, exchange ideas and learn from one another.
She explained that the conference was deliberately designed to go beyond conventional literary events such as book launches and readings by creating broader conversations around writing, publishing, branding, the media and contemporary social issues.
“There are several literary programmes where people come together to discuss books. We have writers’ workshops, book readings and book launches. But there is something unique about the Authors’ Conference because it brings authors together, allows writers to talk about their work and gives others the opportunity to learn from them,” she said.
She recalled that the inaugural edition attracted nearly 80 participants and featured two panel sessions. Students from different schools also took part in the activities, giving the younger generation an opportunity to interact with writers and gain exposure to literary discussions.
Oyekan said the conference was originally conceived as an annual programme. However, financial constraints and competing professional responsibilities made it difficult to organise the event every year.
She added that the visibility generated by the first edition eventually led to other opportunities and projects, contributing to the decision to temporarily suspend the conference.
Despite the challenges, Oyekan said she remained optimistic about the future of the initiative, explaining that encouragement from previous participants and supporters had strengthened her resolve to revive the platform.
Call for Collaboration
Oyekan maintained that developing a stronger literary ecosystem in Nigeria would require sustained collaboration among government agencies, publishers, writers, educational institutions and other stakeholders.
She said such collaboration could help create more opportunities for emerging authors, improve access to publishing and mentorship, encourage reading among young people and ensure that Nigerian stories receive the attention they deserve.
The publisher added that empowering young writers was not only about promoting creativity or producing more books, but also about documenting the experiences and ideas of a new generation.
She said a vibrant literary culture would enable Nigerians to preserve their intellectual and cultural heritage while ensuring that the voices and perspectives of today’s young people remain available for future generations.