Anticipation is building for Comic Con Ibadan, but fans will not have to wait until the main convention on 27 June at the University of Ibadan’s Trenchard Hall to join the fun. Organisers have announced a cultural-themed pre-event activation: the “Amala and Comic Experience”.
The “Amala and Comic Experience” marks a deliberate shift towards a more localised approach to fandom culture. Rather than simply replicating Western convention formats, the organisers are blending global comic and cosplay traditions with an iconic Nigerian culinary staple: piping hot amala. Slated for 6 June, this free-to-attend community hangout is designed to bring comic enthusiasts, artists, storytellers, and anime fans together in a relaxed social setting.
“A cool evening, hot amala and abula, a team of proteins that passed the diversity check, your favourite person sitting across, while getting immersed in comics,” the organisers teased in a recent social media post.
Organised in collaboration with Tales n Tells, a creative storytelling platform focused on narrative and community projects, the hangout serves as both a social space and a creative networking hub. According to organisers, the initiative directly responds to growing community demand for more intimate, accessible, and interactive pop-culture experiences within Ibadan. Early social media reactions have been highly enthusiastic, highlighting the expanding footprint and growing visibility of comic culture across Nigeria.
While the 6 June hangout serves as an early entry point into the convention’s ecosystem, the main event on 27 June promises a comprehensive and high-stakes lineup. Beyond the traditional comic book showcases, exhibitions, and storytelling sessions, this year’s convention will spotlight critical milestones in the continental ecosystem.
A major highlight of the main event will be the physical launch of the 2025 Annual Nigerian Comic Industry Report, presented live on stage by Bookause International and TheACE. The launch follows the closure of the Milestone Trivia Challenge, which saw over participants competing for convention tickets and exclusive, limited-edition physical copies of the definitive report.
The main convention will also host the annual CCI Awards 2026, featuring the Trailblazer Award category. This year’s nominees highlight a vibrant mix of local action and global impact. In the running are Symphoni Studios, recognised for organising Frame Fest Abuja, an initiative fostering arts and storytelling contests among secondary school students, and Jide Martin of Comic Republic, nominated for securing a monumental partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation to put African stories on the global map.
With activities celebrating African creativity and visual culture, the twin events offer a complete look into the past, present, and future of Nigerian fandom
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