One Year In: iwalewabooks at 16/16
A year ago, the independent book publisher iwalewabooks opened permanently on the second floor of our property at 16 Kofo Abayomi Street. The idea was straightforward: build a space for reading, printmaking, conversation and community. On the occasion of our first open day (July 18th and 19th, 2026) , we highlight some of our favorite workshops, activations and commissions from our first year of activity.
Designing Data: A Workshop on Converting Quantitative Information into Images
Workshops: Embodying Experimentation
Named Crafting for Tomorrow, our workshop series works in two ways. It's a return to low-tech, hand-built ways of making using screen-prining, risoprinting and linocutting — yesterday's crafts, remade for now. It's also how we archive the present, so the future has an actual reference point for what this moment in Nigeria looked and felt like. Whenever you see a yellow flyer - it means its time for another print studio workshop or activation.
The Bookshop
The bookshop stocks local zines, vintage finds, artist monographs, and academic titles across geography, history, and culture. Publications are dedicated to aesthetic discourses, the politics of collecting and archiving, and pleasure politics — many produced in collaboration with cultural workers, artists, collectives, activists, and academics, primarily from the Global South.
The bookshop found on the 2nd floor.
Print Residency
The iwalewabooks at 16/16 Print Residency is open to Lagos-based artists, photographers, curators, researchers, and creative practitioners. Selected residents develop and produce a limited-edition publication using our in-house risograph, linocut, and screenprinting facilities across 10 studio sessions, four of which are guided by the iwalewabooks team. A development budget of ₦200,000 and a production budget of ₦300,000 covering up to 30 copies are provided. 20 copies are retained by iwalewabooks at 16/16 to fund the programme; 10 belong to the resident. Applicants must be Lagos-based — accommodation is not included. To apply, submit a proposal outlining your project idea, format, and approach via the application form.
Zine work in progress by Orry Shenjobi
Open Day
Open Day is an activation and mixer for iwalewabooks designed to bring together independent print practitioners, vendors, workshop participants and a creative community in celebration of international zine month in July.
Saturday 18th July
Vendor marketplace (12pm - 4pm) — independent, print-focused vendors and practitioners, including FEKO, FCSEXC, and Atelier de Oasis. RSVP.
Studio in Flux: Bookbinding workshop with Mr. Murphy (12pm - 4pm)
Introduction to bookbinding with our resident binder, Mr.Murphy. Book here.
080 Studio Focus
Join us for a zine and merch marketplace and a conversation with 080 founder Dubem Nwabufo and artist, Musa Ganiyy. RSVP.
Sunday 19th July
Vendor marketplace (12pm - 4pm) continues. RSVP.
Trees of Nigeria (4:30pm)
Fresh off her G.A.S residency, Monai McCullough presents Fieldnotes, a visual offering and examination of trees for her ongoing project Trees of Nigeria. RSVP.
What is iwalewabooks at 16/16?
iwalewabooks is an independent publishing house with a bookstore and print studio at 16/16. With a focus on practice, research, and publishing, we feature publications that align with independent print culture and experimental works alongside titles from other Nigerian and international publishers.
Highlight and celebrate zine culture and independent print practices
Create a platform for local vendors and practitioners to showcase their work
Drive visibility and foot traffic to both iwalewabooks and 16/16 Print Studio
Foster community engagement
