History of book publishing industry in nigeria

Book publishing in nigeria is one of the oldest businesses in the history of the nation. Book publishers in nigeria list of book publishers nigeria. Far from being a creative famine this was a material shortage which still affects the nigerian publishing world today. Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in. Publishing affords permanent record and preservation duru, 2006. Publishing in south africa is the largest, most diverse and technically advanced on the continent. Americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie, things fall apart by chinua achebe, half of a yellow sun by chimamanda ngozi adichie, p. On a final note, a high income industry like the printing industry should not be left to haphazard development. Ebook publishers of nigeria listing all 5 ebook publishers listed in the nigerian publishers directories page 1 of 1 of all the publishing companies in the directory of publishers of nigeria that are listed. Any attempt to write a history book on africas largest country is always going to be a major undertaken. This paper explores the political economy of book publishing in nigeria. Nigeria has had a fairly robust book publishing history starting from the establishment of university college, ibadan uci in 1948.

The book market is quite unpredictable and there is an inherent risk in. Issues like poor financing, government regulation, poor reading. 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 study is descriptive and data sourced from secondary sources. Is book publishing a profitable business venture in nigeria. Mar 09, 2020 nigeria has a vibrant book publishing industry, with perhaps the largest number of publishing houses in any african country. 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. 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. Traditionally, the term refers to the distribution of printed works, such as. Prerevolutionary book publishing was concentrated mainly in moscow and st. These eras saw landmarks in the strides of the magazine industry and are worthy of mention, thus.

The activity has grown from small beginnings into a vast and complex industry responsible for the dissemination of all manner of cultural material. 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. This sample book publishing business plan in nigeria can be used for grant applications, bank loans, proposal writing, business concept note, competitions etc. Tracing the history of publishing in the country, adegbola said nigeria along south africa, egypt and possibly kenya has one of the most active publishing sectors in all of africa. Popular nigeria books meet your next favorite book. Introduction book publishing in nigeria is essentially private and unregulated nigerian publishers association the main professional body for book publishers was established in 1965. We are highly active in the self publishing community and we help in bringing out that book inside you. The activity has grown from small beginnings into a vast and. Jul 20, 2018 ukonu 2008 gives a somewhat concrete history of magazines in nigeria. A peek inside african publishing publishers weekly. It looks at practices in the book publishing industry and at the various forcesthat influence the decisions made by the esta blished nigerian book publishers to accept or reject a manuscript for publication.

Book publishing and piracy in nigeria nigerian law. At one stage, prospects for thebook industry in nigeria appeared rosy. Literamed publications nigeria limited lagos, 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. He discusses the history of magazines in nigeria in three epochs. Book publishing is a business that involves the production and distribution of printed communication materials. Though there may have been published material similar to a magazine in antiquity, especially perhaps in china, the magazine as it is. In the history of writing, the invention of paper and printing and the growth of book production, attention. Jun 03, 2015 introduction book publishing in nigeria is essentially private and unregulated nigerian publishers association the main professional body for book publishers was established in 1965. On this episode of sme fast track, anwuli ojogwu, managing director, narrative landscape press limited shares insights based on her experience on the facts about the nigerian. 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.

In nigeria, book publishing is risky business gbemi shasore. Authors forum, an idea conceived by the management of university press plc as a forum for finding solutions to the numerous problems facing the book industry in nigeria, a yearly event which is attended by authors and others from different parts of the country, showcasing lectures and theme discussions. The study examines the problems of book publishing industry in nigeria as books. Publishing contracted sharply during world war i 191418.

May 07, 2014 nigeria has had a fairly robust book publishing history starting from the establishment of university college, ibadan uci in 1948. 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. History of book publishing in nigeria precolonial era colonial era early. It was founded as the nigerian branch of the british oxford university press in 1949 with the name oxford university press. Book industry definition of book industry by the free. That same year, longman nigeria plc changed its name to learn africa plc. Problems in providing adequate numbers of highquality books. In the history of nigeria, toyin falola serves us a general sweep of nigeria s storied history beginning from the precolonial times right up to the dawn of the new millenium just as the country was making its second experiment with democracy. However, with the recent establishment of book selling businesses. With a promising academia and scholarship, which such.

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. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The political economy of the publishing industry in nigeria. The publishing industry in nigeria is one that has undergone different phases. List of printing and publishing companies in nigeria. Its imprint, lantern books, is a household name in nigeria and west africa. Government established paper and pulp making industries, and an elaborate. Ukonu 2008 gives a somewhat concrete history of magazines in nigeria. Jul 09, 2018 that same year, longman nigeria plc changed its name to learn africa plc. Though there may have been published material similar to a magazine in antiquity, especially perhaps in china, the magazine as it is now known began only after the invention of printing in the west. Nigeria airways also flies to many west african destinations, to nairobi, kenya, and jiddah, saudi arabia, and to new york, london, amsterdam, and rome.

Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing had been in existence some 68 years earlier. Issues like poor financing, government regulation, poor reading culture, piracy and dearth of expertise were interrogated. History of publishing magazine publishing britannica. Most books are published by a small number of very large book publishers, but thousands of smaller book publishers exist. Lack of professional expertise in bibliographic work and marketing. Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in an. This reality of the book publishing industry in nigeria is responsible for the complaints one hears so frequently about book publishing houses and the decisions they take. Literamed has in its stable over 400 titles of books all widely accepted in nigerian schools. The prize money serves as a form of writers advance, which is not common practice in the nigerian publishing industry. It had its roots in the spate of pamphlets, broadsides, ballads, chapbooks, and almanacs that printing made possible. History of nigerian literature everythinliterature.

The paper started by delving into the history of book publishing in nigeria after. Lets take a look at the top 10 book publishing companies in nigeria. Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. Home page nigerian publishers association nigerian. Book publishers represent less than a sixth of the publishers in the united states. Focuses on the book publishing industry in nigeria. The place of learn africa plc in todays dynamic publishing. Methodology this research consists of secondary internal files and reports, lists and catalogues of publications and primary data. However, with the recent establishment of book selling businesses either print or electronic, it is logical to say nigerians read. What is now known as the nigerian publishing industry came to being many years before the country gained its independence from the british colonial masters. The publishing industry is also becoming more of an economic driver.

Ebook publishers of nigeria list of ebook publishing. Publishing industry article about publishing industry by. Top 10 book publishing companies in nigeria atblast. It is a rallying point for all book, journals, and electronic publishers in the country since its inception. The 1804 sokoto jihad led to mass production of books by. Publishing in nigeria is nowadays often thought of as a guy with a press and little else besides. The steps involve supporting both governmentowned publishing companies and other publishing agencies in their quest to promote the art of publishing in nigeria. A new writer with a book that does not fit the traditional mould is likely to fall at the first.

The onibonje publishers experience after 50 years iwu juliana james iwu juliana james is a librarian at covenant university, in canaanland, ota, ogun. Nigeria has a vibrant book publishing industry, with perhaps the largest number of publishing houses in any african country. Hope waddell, who arrived at calabar from jamaica in 1846 bringing. The nigerian book publishing industry is one that is overlooked by many, probably because it is widely portrayed that nigerians dont read. Although, choices in the book publishing industry are not as easy as they ought to be because the industry is one populated by stakeholders of different levels of interest. Problems of the book publishing industry in nigeria. What is the history of book publishing in nigeria answers. It comprises fifteen chapters from some of the best minds on the nigerian and international publishing scenes. Problems and prospects of book publishing in nigeria.

Areo, an author and renowned publishing consultant areo, 2009 6, is a typical expression of dissatisfaction with industry practice. Book industry synonyms, book industry pronunciation, book industry translation, english dictionary definition of book industry. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing. The consolidation of book publishers and book stores. In 1916, only 18,174 titles were published in russia.

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. The coming of age of book publishing and indexing in nigeria. The government of nigeria has not taken the necessary steps to promote the book publishing industry in nigeria. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing had been in. The countrys most famous publishing houses, some of which date back to the 1800s. Publishing in africa is still in its infancy, but with the help of publishing associations, such as in nigeria, ghana and south africa, they are rapidly workingout how to best overcome its unique. The history of book publishing censorship to consolidation. At one stage, prospects for the book industry in nigeria appeared rosy. History of publishing, an account of the selection, preparation, and marketing of printed matter from its origins in ancient times to the present.

Using the swot analysis, the research looks at some of the strengths, challenges, basic problems and opportunities associated with the book publishing in nigeria. Advantages of indigenous publishing in promoting nigerian history, culture, language and social and economic life. Inadequacy of indigenous publishing in the country. Before the 1960s, the book publishing industry was composed mostly of independent companies whose only business was books. The companys products and services as a key player in the nigerian book publishing industry, learn africa plc. The first phase was that of oral literature, where literature and storytelling were only communicated verbally. History of publishing history of publishing magazine publishing. Membership is open to publishers registered as limited liability companies in nigeria that have published a stipulated number of books. Introduction on the face of it, nigeria has a vibrant book publishing industry, with perhaps the largest number of publishing houses in any african. The nigerian book industry, government policies and. The history of publishing in nigeria can be traced to the scottish presbyterian mission, led by rev. While the history of the book can be traced back only about 5oo years, the. University of calgary press university of calgary press open access books 2010 the land has changed. The subjects of the papers range from the economics of publishing in nigeria and the.

Book development, industry, information society, printing works. Hope waddell, who arrived at calabar from jamaica in 1846 bringing with him a lithographic press and a. University press plc upplc is nigerias largest indigenous book publisher. Publishing, publishing industry, publisher, nigeria. Olanlokun introduction british publishers were the pioneers in nigerian publishing industry. The npa is the only collective voice of publishers in nigeria. Dec 06, 2019 the prize money serves as a form of writers advance, which is not common practice in the nigerian publishing industry. In book publishing, a publicist usually works for a publishing house and is tasked with getting press attention for the books and authors that the house publishes. The process of concentration in the printing industry, publishing, and bookselling gained momentum. Presently, only few publishing houses in nigeria like the lantern books division of literamed, publish series of fiction for children and youth. A writer himself, okechukwu ofili became frustrated with the book publishing industry in nigeria and founded okada books, an e publishing systemthat allows authors turn their blogsstories into. Average weekly earnings for workers in the publishing industry varied by type of publication.

The study examines the problems of book publishing industry in nigeria as books are effective medium of communication for intellectualism. The rise, challenges, and future of publishing in nigeria. Impact of indigenous publishing on educational development. Literamed publications nigeria ltd, a leading childrens book publisher in nigeria was incorporated in 1969. A peek inside african publishing two new reports offer insight into the african book market.

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. In nigeria, book publishing is risky business gbemi. The shaping of an african city an expositionuniversity book. At one stage, prospects for the book industry in nigeria. Book publishing is an economic function which involves the production and.