Book publishing industry in nigeria

The book publishing industry in nigeria problems and prospects. The book publishing industry in central africa according to estimates generated over 125 billion cfa francs, which is about 220 million dollars per year the potential of the publishing industry. History of publishing, an account of the selection, preparation, and marketing of printed matter from its origins in ancient times to the present. Problems of the book publishing industry in nigeria. Though farafina continues to struggle against the limitations of publishing in nigeria. The place of learn africa plc in todays dynamic publishing. With 24 titles on its list including the work of chimamanda ngozi adichie the company is leading a revolution in the movement to publish books by africans for africans. The study examines the problems of book publishing industry in nigeria as books are effective medium of communication for intellectualism.

The government of nigeria has not taken the necessary steps to promote the book publishing industry in nigeria. Introduction on the face of it, nigeria has a vibrant book publishing industry, with perhaps the largest number of publishing houses in any african country. The importance of the book publishing industry to africas. Lack of professional expertise in bibliographic work and marketing. Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in an. The book publishing industry in nigeria problems and. Nigeria has had a fairly robust book publishing history starting from the establishment of university college, ibadan uci in 1948. The subjects of the papers range from the economics of publishing in nigeria and the prospects for the industry in the electronic age, through debates about government book policies, to training and the role of publishing organisations both in nigeria. The onibonje publishers experience after 50 years iwu juliana james iwu juliana james is a librarian at. Prerevolutionary book publishing was concentrated mainly in moscow and st.

Click here to instantly access all the reports, in one place. At one stage, prospects for the book industry in nigeria appeared rosy. This research examines the early history of book publishing in nigeria using the onibonje publishers, a sole proprietor and family venture in nigeria, as a case study. Nigeria does not lack literary talent, but still, books written by native authors and further still, published by nigerian publishing houses, are. Book publishers in lagos, nigeria list of book publishers. The political economy of the publishing industry in nigeria. While newspaper publishing is done throughout the country, magazine and book publishers are based mostly in large cities. Okadabooks the innovative platform revolutionising book. Issues like poor financing, government regulation, poor reading. The book market is quite unpredictable and there is an inherent risk in. Unqualified author publishers, poor production, inadequate distribution, and lack of capital are all evident. The nigerian book publishing industry is one that is overlooked by many, probably because it is widely portrayed that nigerians dont read. It is an illegal and illegitimate reproduction of other peoples intellectual property for economic reasons without prior consent or.

Macmillan nigeria publishers limited is one of the leading publishers located in abuja, that specializes on publishing of education materials for all levels for teachers, students and institution. The book, in three parts, contains the 16 papers authored by scholars on aspects ofthe acade. Top 10 publishing companies in nigeria best book publishers. The role of editors and how publishing giants retard growth. Its imprint, lantern books, is a household name in nigeria and west africa. Dec 06, 2019 the prize money serves as a form of writers advance, which is not common practice in the nigerian publishing industry. Book publishers of nigeria list of book publishing. In nigeria, book publishing is risky business gbemi shasore. Far from being a creative famine this was a material shortage which still affects the nigerian publishing.

Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in. Literamed publications nigeria ltd, a leading childrens book publisher in nigeria was incorporated in 1969. Jul 09, 2018 that same year, longman nigeria plc changed its name to learn africa plc. List of printing and publishing companies in nigeria. Traditionally, the term refers to the distribution of printed works, such as books, newspapers, and magazines.

Publishing industry article about publishing industry by. Although 52 percent of the establishments in the publishing industry. Dare ajiboye speaks on book publishing in nigeria youtube. It comprises fifteen chapters from some of the best minds on the nigerian and international publishing scenes. Areo, an author and renowned publishing consultant areo, 2009 6. In addition to the insights and portrayals of the u. Global plus publishing ltd is a print shop situated in lagos, offering services on book publishing, magazine printing, promotional material and excellent delivery. This action has over the years been a bottle neck for publishers.

The companys products and services as a key player in the nigerian book publishing industry, learn africa plc specializes in the publication and marketingdistribution of educational materials for a wide range of readers. The association provides a forum through which publishers come together and deliberate on various issues affecting the publishing industry and the book trade at large. However, with the recent establishment of book selling businesses either print or electronic, it is logical to say nigerians read. Download all the latest market reports you need on the publishing industry in nigeria. A critical insight into the nigerian book publishing industry could only have been written by someone with vast experience and knowledge. What is the history of book publishing in nigeria answers. Unqualified authorpublishers, poor production, inadequate distribution, and lack of capital are all evident. The steps involve supporting both governmentowned publishing companies and other publishing agencies in their quest to promote the art of publishing in nigeria. The nigerian publishers association was established in 1965 by a group of publishers with the aim of maintaining a viable book industry which would contribute to nigeria s national development. It is a critical sector that apathy to intellectual culture in the country. Book publishing and piracy in nigeria nigerian law. Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. A little more than a decade ago, the publishing industry was confined to printed workstraditional books, newspapers, and magazines.

This sample book publishing busine ss plan in nigeria can be used for grant applications, bank loans, proposal writing, business concept note, competitions etc. The paper begins by tracing the history of the book publishing and the printing industry in nigeria and highlights some of the constraints to the development of the industry. Inadequacy of indigenous publishing in the country. Literamed has in its stable over 400 titles of books all widely accepted in nigerian schools. It is a rallying point for all book, journals, and electronic publishers in the country since its inception. Book industry reels in debt as publishers, booksellers bicker. In the 1980s nigeria s fated economic downturn killed off any dreams of a booming selfsustaining publishing industry the hesitantly built paper factories collapsed almost immediately. Advantages of indigenous publishing in promoting nigerian history, culture, language and social and economic life. Areo, an author and renowned publishing consultant. Publishing is the activity of preparing and issuing books, journals and other materials for sale. The activity has grown from small beginnings into a vast and complex industry responsible for the dissemination of all manner of cultural material. In the 1980s nigerias fated economic downturn killed off any dreams of a booming selfsustaining publishing industry the hesitantly built paper factories collapsed almost immediately.

Ozohusuleiman 2011 has expressed the disconnection between the literacy industry and literacy policies in nigeria on account of governments desire to achieve. This is one of the methods of promoting the publishing. Problems and prospects of book publishing in nigeria. Book publishing in nigeria has been confined to the private sector and attempts in the 1970s by the federal government to establish a government publishing company failed. However, from a serious nigerian publisher s perspective, its just not possible to print books locally to a consistent level of quality and at a price that would make the books. The book publishing industry in any country exists to meet the reading and cultural needs of that society. A discussion of the advantages of having a welldeveloped indigenous publishing industry. How to publish a book in nigeria information guide in. The largest book publishers are educational publishers, notably university press plc formerly oxford university press nigeria, founded 1949, longman nigeria plc, macmillan nigeria publishers ltd and evans brothers nigeria publishers.

Book publishers in nigeria list of book publishers nigeria. The government can introduced more methods that can track down book pirates in nigeria. With a promising academia and scholarship, which such milestone institution was bound to generate, some of the leading publishers from the united kingdom such as longman, heinemann, oxford university press, cambridge university press, etc, took steps to be part. Publishing contracted sharply during world war i 191418. Book publishing in nigeria is one of the oldest businesses in the history of the nation. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise cambridge core to connect with your account. List of best book publishers in lagos, nigeria, top book publishers in lagos, nigeria, book publishers near me, best book publishers. The principal reason print jobs in nigeria still find their ways. There is no doubt that there is a crisis in the book trade in. Nigeria shares with other developing countries a variety of problems in providing adequate numbers of highquality books. Nigeria shares with other developing countries a variety of problems in providing. The subjects of the papers range from the economics of publishing in nigeria and the prospects for the industry in the electronic age, through debates about government book policies, to training and the role of publishing organisations. There are over 100 book publishers in nigeria, with ibadan and lagos as major publishing centres. The study is descriptive and data sourced from secondary sources.

This is because of the ripple effects of the action on both publishers and authors alike. Publishing can also be defined as the business or profession of the commercial production and issuance of literature, information, musical scores or sometimes recordings, or art eg newspaper publishing, software publishing. Lets take a look at the top 10 book publishing companies in nigeria. Book publishing seems to be taking the back seat in the comity of mass media especially in africa. No one would agree more with that proverb than an innovator and startup founder like okechukwu ofili, whose frustration with the publishing and distribution industry in nigeria propelled him to create okadabooks, an e publishing platform that is revolutionising book publishing in nigeria. A discussion of the advantages of having a welldeveloped indigenous publishing industry follows, along with recommendations for establishing and promoting such an. With the advent of digital information, the book industry now publishes in blog, ebook, web site, and other electronic formats. The biggest challenge to the publishing industry in nigeria is book piracy. Book publishing business is a lucrative business that needs a lot of strategic planning to start and a business coach like dayo adetiloye to help you. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing.

There is no denying the fact that the freedom of expression and the press is contained in the nigerian constitution. We are highly active in the self publishing community and we help in bringing out that book inside you. The onibonje publishers experience after 50 years iwu juliana james iwu juliana james is a librarian at covenant university, in canaanland, ota, ogun state, nigeria. Book piracy in nigeria need to be checked as this is downgrading the publishing industry. May 07, 2014 nigeria has had a fairly robust book publishing history starting from the establishment of university college, ibadan uci in 1948. Far from being a creative famine this was a material shortage which still affects the nigerian publishing world today. The activity has grown from small beginnings into a vast and complex industry. Publishing in nigeria is nowadays often thought of as a guy with a press and little else besides. Book piracy has been an issue trending in the nigerian publishing space recently. Book publishers represent less than a sixth of the publishers in the united states.

The process of concentration in the printing industry, publishing, and bookselling gained momentum. Established in 2004, farafina books has become one of nigeria s leading independent literary publishers. Home page nigerian publishers association nigerian. This paper explores the political economy of book publishing in nigeria. At one stage, prospects for thebook industry in nigeria. Problems in providing adequate numbers of highquality books. By iwu juliana james librarian at covenant university, in canaanland, ota, ogun state, nigeria introduction book publishing has been defined and discussed by various authors. Pdf problems of the book publishing industry in nigeria. At one stage, prospects for thebook industry in nigeria appeared rosy. With the advent of digital information systems, the scope has expanded to include electronic publishing.

Focuses on the book publishing industry in nigeria. Using the swot analysis, the research looks at some of the strengths, challenges, basic problems and opportunities associated with the book publishing in nigeria. The largest concentration of publishers is in new york city. The npa is the only collective voice of publishers in nigeria. One of the sectors hard hit by nigeria s dire economic situation is the book industry, especially the literary aspect. Issues like poor financing, government regulation, poor reading culture, piracy and dearth of expertise were interrogated. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing had been in existence some 68 years earlier. Literamed publications nigeria limited lagos, nigeria. Digital audio, ebooks, ghana, global publishing, kenya, nigeria. Saving nigeria s printing industry the above expositions provide a basis to proffer insights to the questions raised earlier.

This paper examines the role of authors, publishers and booksellers in the development of the book publishing industry in nigeria. With a promising academia and scholarship, which such milestone institution was bound to generate, some of the leading publishers. Sep 20, 2017 it is true what is said of necessity, of it being the mother of invention. However, from a serious nigerian publishers perspective, its just not possible to print books locally to a consistent level of quality and at a price that would make the books affordable to nigerian readers. This is because of the critical roles that books play in the. The book at present is one of the most important tools for that. The nigerian book industry, government policies and. Government established paper and pulp making industries, and an elaborate. Literamed has in its stable over 400 titles of books. Jun 25, 2019 in general, the function of a book marketing department in a traditional publishing house is to help the various sales departments get your book in front of bookstore buyers, book distributors and other channels, to make sure your book is available and ideally displayed and promoted through them to the consumer public. Most books are published by a small number of very large book publishers, but thousands of smaller book publishers exist.