A major intellectual and literary event is set to take centre stage in Nigeria’s capital as Ambassador Shina Fatai Alege prepares to launch five new books in a single landmark gathering.
The grand launch is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Merit House Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja.
The event is expected to draw a distinguished audience, including policymakers, diplomats, academics, and members of the literary community.
The five books span diplomacy, leadership, philosophy, and fiction, reflecting Alege’s wide intellectual scope and engagement with both global and African issues.
Leading the collection is “The Sirens and the Flag: A Nigerian Ambassador’s Journal from the War in Ukraine,” a diplomatic memoir that chronicles crisis leadership during wartime. The book features a foreword by Ibrahim Gambari and provides a personal account of duty and resilience amid conflict.
Another key work, “Insecurity and Regional Leadership in Africa: Nigeria’s Aspiratory Hegemony under Multiplex Threats,” offers a scholarly analysis of Africa’s evolving security landscape. With a foreword by Tunde Adeniran, the book introduces the concept of “aspiratory hegemony,” framing leadership as responsibility sustained under pressure.
In addition to his academic works, Alege explores fiction through three novels. “The Expiry Date of Power: How Abu-Superior Learned Too Late” examines the fleeting nature of political influence, while “The Last Ride: Five Stops Before Goodbye” presents a reflective narrative on life, memory, and legacy. His third novel, “When the House Was Not on Fire,” delivers a philosophical African story centered on friendship, truth, and resilience in times of adversity.
Organisers say the collection represents a rare blend of academic scholarship and creative storytelling, bridging policy discourse with human experience and cultural reflection.
They added that the event goes beyond a conventional book launch, describing it as a celebration of African thought leadership and a contribution to global conversations on governance, security, and shared human values.
Ambassador Alege, a seasoned diplomat and scholar, is widely recognised for his contributions to international relations and policy discourse. His latest publications further reinforce his position as a distinctive voice combining intellectual depth with cultural authenticity.
The launch will feature prominent personalities from government, academia, and the diplomatic corps, underscoring its significance within Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural landscape.