Stakeholders in Nigeria's printing and publishing sector have issued a stark warning about the industry's future relevance without immediate policy interventions and skills development. The concerns emerged during critical discussions at the 2025 International Paper, Printing and Publishing Expo (IPEX), where industry leaders emphasized the urgent need for government recognition of printing as part of Nigeria's creative and industrial economy.
Outdated Curriculum and Youth Exclusion Threaten Sector
Akin Oduwole, Chief Executive of Equipment Zone, highlighted the fundamental problem of outdated educational curriculum in printing and publishing institutions. He stressed that the sector cannot maintain competitiveness without modernized learning pathways that meet global standards. "If printing must remain relevant, there must be a review of the curriculum in higher institutions," Oduwole asserted, noting that young people currently lack structured training comparable to international benchmarks.
Anthony Ali, President of the printing and publishing students' association at Yaba College of Technology, expressed optimism about growing youth interest in the industry but identified a critical gap in practical exposure. "The youth are very interested in printing. What we lack is industry-level exposure," Ali stated, emphasizing the disconnect between academic training and real-world industry requirements.
Technology Gap and Professional Drain
Kunle Ogunjobi, Technical Director of Randomsoft Ltd, criticized Nigeria's slow adoption of evolving print technologies, warning that the country is falling dangerously behind global trends. He revealed that foreign-owned companies continue to dominate specialized segments due to the severe shortage of trained local professionals. "We have not built enough professionals who can deliver international-standard print. Mentorship is the bridge," Ogunjobi emphasized.
The industry faces another critical challenge: the steady exodus of trained engineers to unrelated jobs. Oduwole lamented this trend, noting that it has created space for unqualified operators and is gradually undermining public confidence in print services. "Quacks are taking over because many trained people have left, chasing short-term income," he warned.
Pathway to Revival and New Initiatives
Stakeholders proposed concrete solutions to revitalize the sector, including formal recognition of printing and publishing as part of the creative economy. This recognition would unlock training incentives, tax relief on equipment, and improved access to industry data. Additional recommendations include:
- Industry-focused educational curricula
- Cooperative financing schemes for young printers
- University innovation labs
- Structured apprenticeships with OEMs and trade associations
In a significant development, Oduwole announced the launch of BusinessClubNG, a platform designed to connect young printers with mentorship, market opportunities, and industry trends. The initiative aims to rebuild professionalism and guide new entrants into the sector effectively.
Industry leaders maintained that printing remains central to Nigeria's wider economy, serving critical sectors from FMCG packaging to pharmaceuticals and election materials. They issued a final warning that Nigeria cannot afford another cycle of underinvestment in this vital industry.
