CCPC 2026 TO HOLD IN 57 LOCATIONS ACROSS NIGERIA AND AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, USA : SAME DAY, SAME TIME

The Cross-Country Poetry Celebration (CCPC) is set to make history with simultaneous poetry activities across 57 locations in Nigeria and at West Virginia University in the United States of America.


The initiative, which celebrates the power of poetry, literature, spoken word, and creative expression, continues to expand its reach, bringing together writers, poets, students, literary enthusiasts, and creative communities to celebrate the transformative power of words.

With activities spanning several states in Nigeria and extending to the United States, CCPC 2026 represents a significant step towards strengthening literary connections, promoting cultural exchange, and providing a platform for emerging and established voices to be heard.

A Nationwide Celebration of Words

From the Federal Capital Territory to the South-West, South-East, South-South, North-Central, North-East, and North-West regions of Nigeria, the celebration will connect participants across diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds.

The event will feature participating communities and institutions in the following locations:

1. North-Central Nigeria

  • Federal Capital Territory (FCT): Abuja
  • Benue State: Oju
  • Kogi State: Lokoja and Okene
  • Kwara State: Ilorin
  • Niger State: Bida, Suleja, and Minna
  • Plateau State: Jos

2. North-East Nigeria

  • Bauchi State: Bauchi
  • Borno State: Biu and Maiduguri (two locations)
  • Gombe State: Gombe
  • Taraba State: Jalingo
  • Yobe State: Damaturu

3. North-West Nigeria

  • Kaduna State: Kaduna

4. South-East Nigeria

  • Abia State: 
  • Anambra State: Aroma Centre and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Campus
  • Ebonyi State: Abakaliki
  • Enugu State: Enugu City
  • Imo State: Owerri

5. South-South Nigeria

  • Cross River State: Calabar
  • Delta State: Warri, Otokutu, Kwale, Southern Delta University (Orerokpe Campus), and Jeddo
  • Edo State: Benin City
  • Rivers State: Woji, Agip Gate, and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt

6. South-West Nigeria

  • Ekiti State: Igbole Ekiti and Oye-Ekiti
  • Lagos State: Magodo, Ejigbo, Ikorodu, Ikoyi, Isolo, Navy Town, Badore/Ajah, Ojokoro, Ajasa Command, Surulere, and Obalende
  • Ogun State: Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, and Mowe
  • Ondo State: Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Akure, and Ode-Aye
  • Osun State: Igbonna-Osogbo and Federal College of Education, Iwo
  • Oyo State: Agodi Garden and Bodija

7. International Participation: United States of America

The celebration will also extend beyond Nigeria's borders to West Virginia University, USA, demonstrating the potential of poetry to connect people and communities across national boundaries.

Ilorin Joins the National Celebration

Ilorin, Kwara State, will be among the participating locations, contributing to the broader vision of bringing poetry and literary engagement closer to communities.

The Ilorin edition is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at Succoth Garden, GRA, beside Water View.



The programme will feature an Open Mic and Writers Connect session from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by the general CCPC programme at 3:00 p.m.

The event is expected to bring together poets, authors, students, literary organisations, and other lovers of creative expression for an engaging celebration of words and ideas.

Celebrating the Power of Words

Under the theme “Moments: Capturing Times with Words,” CCPC highlights the ability of poetry and literature to document experiences, preserve memories, challenge perspectives, and inspire positive change.

Through poetry performances, spoken word, literary conversations, networking, and other creative activities, the celebration seeks to create opportunities for participants to express themselves, discover new talents, and build meaningful connections within the literary community.

Beyond entertainment, the initiative recognises literature as a tool for education, cultural preservation, social reflection, and national development.

Building a Stronger Literary Community

The expansion of CCPC across multiple locations reflects the importance of collaboration among writers, literary organisations, educational institutions, community leaders, and creative practitioners.

By connecting participants across different states and countries, the celebration aims to encourage a stronger culture of reading, writing, performance, and literary appreciation.

It also provides an opportunity for young and emerging poets to engage with established writers, share their work, and become part of a wider creative network.

A Call to Writers, Institutions, and Literary Enthusiasts

As preparations continue, poets, writers, schools, universities, literary associations, cultural organisations, and members of the public are encouraged to support the initiative and participate in activities at their respective locations.

The organisers also welcome partnerships and support from individuals and institutions committed to promoting literature, creative expression, youth development, and cultural exchange.

With participation spanning communities across Nigeria and reaching West Virginia University in the United States, CCPC 2026 seeks to demonstrate that poetry has no geographical boundaries.

From one community to another, and from one nation to the world, the message remains clear: words have the power to connect people, preserve moments, and inspire change.

For enquiries and further information:

Adegbite Uthman Adeyemi
Secretary, CCPC
Telephone: +234 816 240 6757

Cross-Country Poetry Celebration (CCPC) 2026
Theme: Moments: Capturing Times with Words