As the sun rose over the bustling city of Lagos, the Balmoral Event Centre at Sheraton Hotel transformed into a haven for bibliophiles, publishers, and industry stakeholders from across the globe. The Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF), an annual celebration of books, ideas, and the business behind them, officially opened to a vibrant crowd of both local and international investors drawn from the publishing and allied sectors.
Just moments after the rousing opening ceremony, which underscored the global relevance of Nigeria’s literary landscape, the Nigeria Publishers Association (NPA)—a critical constituent body of NIBF—hosted its Business Seminar for Entrepreneurs/CEOs, a session that would quickly become a major highlight of the ongoing fair.
Titled “Entrepreneurial Lifecycle and Sustainability of Indigenous Publishing in Nigeria,” the seminar didn’t just invite publishers to sit and liste, it challenged them to think, reflect, and reimagine the future of their businesses in a fast-changing world.
A Rallying Point for Publishers
The NPA Business Meeting emerged as a pivotal gathering, rallying publishers from various regions under one roof. It provided a rare and intimate space for frank dialogue on the health and future of indigenous publishing enterprises. The seminar became more than a meeting it evolved into a platform for transformation, a masterclass in entrepreneurial longevity, and a mirror into the realities of running sustainable businesses in an unpredictable economy.
Attended by high-ranking members of the Association including NPA Vice President Mr. Babasehinde Oguniyi, Deputy President (West), Dr. Olakunle Sogbein, Honourary Treasurer, Mr. Lanre Anulopo, REPRONIG Chairman Mr. Gbadega Adedapo. Other NPA Executive Members who graced the event include: Mr. Henry Idogun, Mrs.Folakemi Bademosi, and host of others. The session reflected a strong commitment to fostering business resilience among Nigerian publishers.
Opening Words That Set the Stage
In his opening remarks, NPA President, Alhaji Lukman Dauda, delivered a thought-provoking message that captured the essence of the seminar’s theme. With both gravity and gratitude, he thanked the members for their unwavering support and emphasized the urgent need for publishers to begin planning for continuity particularly how their businesses can survive beyond the life of the founder.
“Too many publishing houses die with their owners,” he noted. “It’s time we begin to build structures that can last. This business must be seen not just as a job, but as a legacy.”
His words resonated deeply, setting a reflective tone that carried through the rest of the session.
A Practical Masterclass with Real-World Relevance
The keynote speaker, Chief Temitayo Adewole (BDSP, LDA, ASM), brought decades of industry experience and entrepreneurial insight to the table. Rather than deliver a lofty lecture, he engaged the room with a practical, hands-on facilitation style, blending theoretical depth with real-world application.
Describing entrepreneurship as “a journey, not a destination,” Adewole encouraged publishers to think beyond profit margins. He called on them to build enduring institutions citing examples like First Bank and UBA, whose legacies stretch across centuries.
He presented a powerful lens through which to view business: not only from its founding, but from its end from death and reinvention, to reimagined innovation. Publishing, he declared, is “not just storytelling it is legacy-making.”
Poised Questions that Stirred Strategic Thinking
What truly set the session apart were the facilitator’s incisive questions, designed to disrupt conventional thinking and ignite strategic recalibration:
“What happens to your company the day after you’re no longer here?”
“How are you expanding into new markets without destabilizing your core?”
“Do your team members know who is responsible for what?”
“Are your KPIs actionable, or just decoration?”
These questions struck at the core of sustainability, prompting CEOs and entrepreneurs in the room to reconsider their workflow structures, accountability frameworks, and growth strategies. They were asked to evaluate their business scale in practical terms—whether they operated as a Nano enterprise (1 staff), Micro (4–10), Small (10–99), or Medium (100–500)—and think about what systems would help them move to the next level.
The room was alive with thoughtful nods, note-taking, and spirited exchanges. The seminar wasn’t just informative—it was transformative.
Looking Forward: A Renewed Vision for Indigenous Publishing
As the session came to a close, the air was thick with inspiration. Participants lingered, many engaged in post-seminar conversations, reflecting on what they had learned and how to immediately apply it. For many, this was the first time they had been challenged to think of publishing not merely as a business, but as a generational institution.
The 2025 NIBF continues with many more events on the horizon, but the NPA Business Seminar has already set a high benchmark—both in depth and impact. It reminded stakeholders that the future of Nigerian publishing lies not just in books, but in the boldness to build legacies.
by: Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo
For: Media, ICT & Marketing Committee, NIBF 2025