Stakeholders make case for publishing industry in Nigeria

Inconsistent book policy, high cost of book production, shortage of skilled manpower, poor reading culture, poor printing technology and poor marketing network, have been identified as the challenges facing Nigeria’s book publishing business in recent times.
However, the need for government to urgently review its various policies on book publishing and strengthen the war against piracy, promote vibrant reading culture, provide skilled professionals as well as provide loans and grants to the industry, have also been identified as the possible solution to the predicament.
A former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Dr. Wale Okediran, identified the challenges and the way forward while delivering a lecture to commemorate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Evans Brothers (Nigeria Publishers) Limited in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event, held at the banquet hall of Premier Hotel, Ibadan, was attended by stakeholders in the publishing industry and also featured presentation of prizes to winners of a nationwide essay competition as well as the presentation of long service awards to deserving members of staff.
The former ANA president, who was represented by a former dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Prof. Remi Raji Oyelade, spoke on the topic: “The Challenges of Publishing Business in the 21st Century.”
Okediran, who expressed optimism on the future of the industry, if the challenges were urgently addressed, also made a case that grants, loans and funds be provided to authors
to support the industry like it was done for the movie industry sometimes ago by the government.
Speaking on the challenges of piracy, Okediran said that the menace had become an octopus for the country, and if the government and all other stakeholders didn’t show the
needed will to tackle it headlong, the menace might kill the publishing industry in a very
short time.
He said, “There are a lot of challenges facing the industry, despite its potentials. Some of these challenges include inconsistent government policies on book publishing, high cost of book production, shortage of skilled manpower, poor reading culture, poor printing technology and poor marketing network.
“The industry has a lot of potentials, but if these challenges are not urgently addressed,
the future of the industry is at stake. “To move forward, the government needs to urgently review its various policies on book publishing and strengthen the war against piracy.
There must also be a deliberate promotion of vibrant reading culture, provision of skilled
professionals and provision of capital, loans or grants to the industry just like it was done
to the film industry” According to the anniversary guest lecturer, it had become imperative to have a policing system to monitor printers and publishers to tackle the activities of pirates.
Chairman, Board of Directors, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, in his address, said the company, which started from a modest operation after its incorporation in December 1966, had since built an enduring legacy to become one of the top leading publishing companies
today.
Ojora, who was in company with his wife and other members of the board, noted that despite Nigeria’s large customer base, the publishing industry was still struggling to remain profitable in the face of overwhelming challenges, including piracy.