The symposium on September 29, with an international cast of senior and emerging scholars, marks the 40^th anniversary of the publication of Achebe’s blistering political treatise The Trouble with Nigeria. Three panels will examine new directions in Achebe studies, the politics of canonicity, and African literatures in the age of historical reckonings, while a roundtable discussion focuses on leadership and statecraft in Nigeria and Africa.

Conference participants:

Portia Owusu – Texas A&M University

Jeanne-Marie Jackson – Johns Hopkins University

Kwabena Opoku-Agyemang – University of Ghana

Sarah Duff – Colby College

Chielozona Eze – Carleton College

Simon Gikandi – Princeton University

Juliana Makuchi Nfah-Abbenyi – NC State University

Ranka Primorac – University of Southampton

Meg Arenberg – The Africa Institute, Sharjah

Terri Ochiagha – University of Edinburgh

Simukai Chigudu – University of Oxford

Ainehi Edoro – University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mukoma wa Ngugi – Cornell University

Maik Nwosu – University of Denver-Colorado

Hannah Essien – Princeton University

Chris Abani – Northwestern University

Obi Nwakanma – University of Central Florida

Anthonia Kalu – University of California-Riverside

Wale Lawal – Editor, The Republic, Lagos

Adeleke Adeeko – The Ohio University

Keynote Speaker:

HE Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, Nigeria

Symposium Advisory Committee:

Christopher Okonkwo (Florida State University, Chair), Ato Quayson (Stanford University), Terri Ochiagha (University of Edinburgh), Grace Musila (University of the Witwatersrand)

Memorial Celebration

The memorial celebration on September 30th will be graced by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alex Onyido, the Monarch of Ogidi Kingdom in Nigeria, and will feature tributes by Abena Busia, Toyin Falola, Simon Gikandi, Richard Joseph, Anthonia Kalu, Sonia Sanchez, and Obiora Udechukwu; readings by Patrice Nganang and Chika Unigwe, as well as praise poetry by Udoji Achebe and Ojaadiligbo, a dance act by Dorobucci Dance Company, a solo mbira performance by Tanyaradzwa Tawengwa, and the Eme & Heteru Afro-roots Band.

Both events are open to the public; Registration is required. More information will follow soon.