The Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to rejuvenate the nation’s ailing book publishing industry. The association emphasized the importance of immediate government intervention to address the multi-faceted challenges facing the sector and to include book publishers in the planned overhaul of the national school curriculum.
During the NPA’s annual conference and general meeting, held in Lagos, the association’s president, Uchenna Cyril Anioke, highlighted the deteriorating state of the book industry. Themed *“Publishing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Future of Content Delivery and Copyright,”* the event drew participants from across the country, focusing on emerging challenges and innovations in publishing.
Anioke expressed concern over the persistent decline in the book publishing subsector, a situation he attributed to years of neglect and lack of supportive policies. He urged the government to prioritize revitalizing the industry, particularly through the restoration of the country’s defunct paper mills. He noted that NPA had previously made similar appeals, but their requests had yet to yield tangible results. Anioke expressed hope that the government would act this time to reverse the downward trajectory of the sector.
The president underscored the critical role of functional paper mills in supporting the publishing ecosystem. He argued that without local production of paper and a conducive environment for private investment, publishers and printers would continue to seek cost-effective alternatives abroad. This reliance on foreign solutions, he said, exerts pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, while simultaneously creating jobs and bolstering economies in other nations at Nigeria’s expense.
Anioke lamented the current state of Nigeria’s three major paper mills: the Jebba mill in Niger State, the Iwopin mill in Ogun State, and the Oku-Iboku mill in Akwa Ibom State. Once vibrant, these facilities have become non-operational, leaving the industry heavily dependent on imports for raw materials. He called for the revival of these mills and encouraged private-sector participation in establishing similar facilities across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
Adding to the discussion, Dr. John Asein, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), emphasized the importance of copyright laws in safeguarding the interests of authors and publishers. He noted that as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into book publishing, the rights of human authors remain protected under the existing Copyright Act. While AI can generate content, it does not qualify for copyright protection unless it meets specific human-centric criteria.
Dr. Asein predicted that the widespread use of AI would soon become as accessible and affordable as smartphones. However, he stressed that this shift would necessitate redefined copyright boundaries and adaptations in content delivery mechanisms. He suggested that publishers could leverage AI to create more interactive and user-focused materials, ensuring their relevance and competitiveness in an evolving market.
The conference’s chairman, Rasak Jaiyeola, a former president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), echoed similar sentiments about AI’s transformative impact. He noted that AI is reshaping industries worldwide, and the book publishing sector is no exception. To stay relevant, publishers and authors must embrace creativity and innovation in their content creation and distribution processes.
Jaiyeola urged publishers to adapt to technological advancements while upholding the core principles of their profession. He highlighted the dual role of publishers as both distributors of content and custodians of cultural and intellectual heritage. The conference, he noted, served as a platform for exchanging ideas, exploring innovations, and addressing the pressing challenges of the industry.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the publishing industry and the broader Nigerian economy. Among the honorees were key players from various publishing houses, including Mr. Adebayo Lateef of Thursmay Publishers, Tahir Abdulaziz of Global Books & Publishing Ltd., and Sir Jesse Odu of Alliance Publications. Other awardees included representatives from Bounty Press Ltd, Babcock University Press, University of Calabar Press, and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), among others.