The appeal was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during the opening of the 45th International Convention and Conference of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), which took place on October 30, 2026, at the ANA Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja.
Highlighting the influence of literary works on society, Akume said writers had an important responsibility to expose injustice, give voice to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and bring neglected social issues into public discourse. He noted that poetry, drama and other forms of literature could communicate the realities of people's lives in ways that statistics alone might not adequately capture.
He observed that literary expressions, including poetry, drama and other creative works, offered unique perspectives on the realities of society, particularly by giving voice to people's experiences and struggles in ways that conventional statistics might not adequately communicate.
While acknowledging the responsibility of writers to scrutinise government policies and hold public office holders accountable, the SGF cautioned against the misuse of literary influence to encourage hatred, violence and division.
“This does not mean that writers should avoid difficult subjects, or that government criticism should be discouraged. Far from it, freedom of expression, the right to question those in authority, are important features of democratic life,” he said.
He urged members of ANA to remain courageous, truthful and committed to speaking against wrongdoing, stressing that their contributions should promote informed public debate, meaningful engagement and practical solutions to the country's problems.
Also addressing the gathering, Senator Ekong Bassey challenged the government to pay greater attention to the contributions of Nigerian writers, observing that authors had consistently used their works to expose problems capable of undermining the country's future.
Bassey stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and the literary community, particularly in tackling insecurity and other pressing national concerns. He encouraged writers to engage government institutions more actively, rather than regard them as distant establishments beyond constructive interaction.
In his remarks, ANA National President, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, acknowledged the Federal Government's support for the association, particularly the allocation of land for the establishment of the Writers Village in Mpape.
He also appreciated the government's role in facilitating Nigerian writers' access to benefits provided under the Reproduction Rights Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG) Act 2022, describing such interventions as important to the growth and protection of the literary community.
However, Akanbi urged the government to intensify efforts towards addressing insecurity and creating an environment that would inspire confidence in the country's future, especially among young Nigerians.
He warned that even well-designed government policies and reforms could fail to achieve their objectives if citizens viewed them as measures designed to impose hardship rather than improve their living conditions.
According to him, sustainable national development requires responsible leadership, public trust and the active participation of citizens in the affairs of the country.
The ANA president also expressed concern over the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on politicians and other political actors to demonstrate restraint and avoid inflammatory statements capable of heightening tensions.
He emphasised that the elections must be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, unity and mutual respect, warning against political hostility and violence.
Akanbi maintained that building a stable and prosperous Nigeria was not the responsibility of government alone, but a shared obligation requiring the commitment of leaders, writers and citizens across the country.