As the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) celebrated six decades of operation, industry leaders issued a stark warning: persistent policy instability and widespread piracy are threatening the very survival of Nigeria's book ecosystem. The concerns dominated discussions at the NPA's 2025 Annual Conference, Annual General Meeting, and Diamond Jubilee celebration held in Ibadan.
Collaboration and Quality Control in the Digital Age
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Wale Okediran, Secretary-General of the Pan-African Writers Association, stated that the future of African publishing hinges on deeper collaboration. He emphasized the need for strategic partnerships among authors, publishers, regulators, and technology partners, especially as digital tools reshape production and distribution.
Dr. Okediran traced the industry's evolution from the colonial era to the current boom in digital and self-publishing platforms. While acknowledging that digital innovation has created new opportunities, he cautioned that it has also weakened quality control and blurred editorial standards.
"The rapid growth of self-publishing is increasing creative voices, but it must be supported with professional standards if our industry is to remain competitive," Okediran said. He warned that without stronger regulatory backing and coordinated industry practices, Nigeria risks undermining the quality and global competitiveness of its book sector.
Policy Shocks and the Scourge of Piracy
The Chairman of the occasion, Deacon Solomon Adeleke, highlighted the severe financial impact of abrupt government policy changes on publishers, particularly in textbook production. He lamented that sudden curriculum revisions often force publishers to abandon materials already produced at great cost.
"We urge the government to consult the association before implementing new policies. Sudden curriculum changes destabilise the system and create avoidable losses," Adeleke appealed. He identified piracy as the industry's most significant threat, calling for urgent and targeted enforcement to protect intellectual property and sustain creativity.
In a goodwill message, the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein, reaffirmed the commission's commitment to fighting piracy. He outlined plans for intensified public-awareness campaigns, strengthened regulatory frameworks, and renewed operations by the NCC Special Taskforce to tackle illegal book reproduction and distribution.
Charting a Sustainable Path Forward
Alhaji Lukman Dauda, President and Chairman of Council of the NPA, highlighted the association's longstanding role in promoting quality, affordable instructional materials aligned with approved school curricula. He made a specific appeal to education authorities regarding plans to scrap certain subjects.
Dauda warned that implementing such changes without transitional arrangements would disrupt production cycles once again. He proposed a phased approach, suggesting that the rollout of any new curriculum should begin with Primary One in the 2026/2027 academic session, with other classes phased in gradually to allow publishers and schools to adjust.
"As practitioners in the education sector, our contributions will assist policymakers in crafting durable and effective reforms," he added.
The event also featured commendations from government representatives. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, represented by the Acting DG of NISLT, Dr. Peter Oluwafisoye, praised the NPA's commitment to literacy. Similarly, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, represented by Zainab Abubakar, acknowledged the NPA's six-decade impact and urged deeper adoption of emerging technologies like track-and-trace systems.
The Diamond Jubilee celebration concluded with awards for excellence and meritorious service presented to outstanding contributors, including NCC DG Dr. John Asein, bookseller Dr. Kolade Mosuro, and former NPA President Samuel Kolawole.
