A major intellectual and literary event is set to take centre stage in Nigeria’s capital as former Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Fatai Alege, prepares to unveil five new books in a single landmark launch.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Merit House Auditorium, Maitama, Abuja, and is expected to draw a distinguished audience of policymakers, diplomats, academics, and members of the literary community.
The five books, spanning diplomacy, leadership, philosophy, and fiction, highlight 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 chronicling crisis leadership during wartime. The book features a foreword by Ibrahim Gambari and offers a personal account of duty and resilience in the face of conflict.
Another major work, “Insecurity and Regional Leadership in Africa: Nigeria’s Aspiratory Hegemony under Multiplex Threats,” provides a scholarly analysis of Africa’s evolving security challenges. With a foreword by Tunde Adeniran, the book introduces the concept of “aspiratory hegemony,” framing leadership as responsibility sustained under pressure.
Alege also explores fiction through three novels. “The Expiry Date of Power: How Abu-Superior Learned Too Late” examines the fleeting nature of political authority, while “The Last Ride: Five Stops Before Goodbye” reflects on life, memory, and legacy. In “When the House Was Not on Fire,” he presents a philosophical African narrative centered on friendship, truth, and resilience in times of adversity.
Organisers describe the collection as a rare blend of academic scholarship and creative storytelling, bridging policy discourse with human experience and cultural reflection. They added that the event is more than a conventional book launch, but a celebration of African thought leadership and a contribution to global conversations on governance, security, and human values.
Alege, a seasoned diplomat and scholar, is widely recognised for his contributions to international relations and policy discourse. His latest publications further reinforce his standing as a distinctive voice that combines intellectual depth with cultural authenticity.
The launch will feature prominent figures from government, academia, and the diplomatic corps, underscoring its significance within Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural landscape.