The Abuja Comic Art Convention (ACAC) returns on 9 and 10 October 2026 for its third edition. This year’s theme is “The Comic Industry: A Key Contributor to the Nigerian Creative Economy”. The event takes place at Truck Central, behind Fraser Suites in Wuse, Abuja.
The organisers describe the convention as a celebration of comics, animation and gaming in North Central Nigeria. The programme includes comics, gaming, cosplay, art battles, animation, competitions, panel discussions, networking, merchandise and collectables. Tickets are available through a QR code on the official event banners.
The speaker programme gives much of its attention to the business of the industry. Screenwriter, director and producer Emil Garuba will speak on “The State of the Nigerian Comic Industry 2026”. The organisers say the session will cover the progress made, the challenges that remain and what needs to happen for the industry to move forward. Garuba is Creative Director at Sutoritera Limited, and his credits include Tinsel, Road to Yesterday, Lionheart, 4th Republic, Sons of the Caliphate, Maia and The Other Side of the Bridge. He directed the short film Last Tango in Abuja and co-produced To Adaego With Love, which won Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay at AFRIFF 2025.
“Comics as Intellectual Property” brings together two speakers with legal and creative backgrounds. Tobechukwu Ndunagu is a technology, intellectual property, media and entertainment lawyer and Lead Counsel at Infusion Lawyers. Mariam Onize Atta is an Afrofuturist artist, AI comic creator, narrative architect, worldbuilder and brand strategist. She also has a background in intellectual property law and the music business. According to the organisers, the session will examine the value of characters, stories and universes as intellectual property. It will also look at how Nigerian creators can extend their work into film, animation, gaming, merchandise and licensing.
The “Building Sustainable Comic Businesses in Nigeria” panel features two working creators. Miracle Ojo David, known online as Maytrix_XDX_, is a digital illustrator and comic artist. His Cartoon Network Maytrix Series has grown into an interconnected creative universe, and he has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram, 20,000 on X and 10,000 on TikTok. Akano Charles Jnr, known as Ace Wondaz, is a voice actor, comic book writer and co-founder of Royal Bird Studios, with experience across comics, animation, gaming and character development.
“The Power of Media: Making Nigerian Comics Visible” turns to audience building. Karla Luke is a marketing and communications strategist and Creative Director of LumenWorks, which helps founder-led brands communicate their stories. She will be joined by Mercy Abah Patrick, known as Merci Rick, a creative storyteller, media entrepreneur and advocate. The organisers say the session will cover storytelling, communication, media and visibility.
A fifth session, “Games and Comics: Building Nigerian Entertainment Franchises”, will be led by Afolabi Adekaiyaoja. He is a researcher and writer on West African politics, diplomacy and public policy, and a policy consultant supporting creative-industry advocacy. He is also a game master at NIBCARD Games Café and has co-directed the African Boardgames Convention for several years. The session will explore how comics, games and other media can combine to support stronger entertainment franchises.
ACAC will also host a 24-Hour Comic Challenge based on the format associated with the international 24-Hour Comics Day. Participants have 24 consecutive hours to create a complete 24-page comic. The challenge starts at 12 noon on Friday, 9 October, and ends at 12 noon on Saturday, 10 October.
Individuals and teams may enter, and both traditional and digital methods are permitted. Entrants must bring their own equipment. The comic must be new work created for the challenge, rather than something previously completed or published. Generative AI may not be used for the artwork or story content. Breaks are allowed, but the clock keeps running. For team entries, only registered members may contribute. Submitted work may be printed and exhibited as part of the convention’s 24-Hour Comic Challenge showcase. Registration is through a QR code, and the full rules are available on the ACAC website.
The challenge rules prohibit generative AI for artwork and story content. The wider programme, however, includes a panellist who works as an AI comic creator, while the organisers have not announced a convention-wide policy on AI-assisted work outside the competition.
The announced line-up shows a convention aimed at the economics of comics rather than fandom alone, in keeping with this year’s theme. The organisers have not yet published a detailed timetable for the sessions
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