This deck describes the origin, processes, prospects and challenges of book publishing in nigeria. Melrose books and publishing was conceptualized in february 2010 and began operation in january 2011. Textsworth publishing limited is a publishing firm in lagos, that publishes market leading textbooks and instructional materials such as textbooks, revision guides, story books, maps, dictionaries, encyclopedias, charts, activity books and others. Literamed has in its stable over 400 titles of books all widely accepted in nigerian schools. In the history of writing, the invention of paper and printing and the growth of book. Home page nigerian publishers association nigerian. Nairaland forum entertainment literature book publishing in nigeria 25152 views.
Problems of the book publishing industry in nigeria covenant. Before the invention of writing, perhaps by the sumerians in the 4th millennium bce, information could be. This informs the rationale for special emphasis on book publishing in this paper. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on. Introduction book publishing in nig eria is essentially private and unregulated nigerian publishers association the main professional body for book publishers was established in 1965. The npa is the only collective voice of publishers in nigeria. Established in 2004, farafina books has become one of nigeria s leading independent literary publishers. Publishing as it is known today depends on a series of three major inventionswriting, paper, and printingand one crucial social developmentthe spread of literacy. On the face of it, nigeria has a vibrant book publishing industry, with perhaps.
Its imprint, lantern books, is a household name in nigeria and west africa. All you require to become a publisher is to erect a signpost outside your office or residence. It was july 2010 that the idea to publish a book became more intense. Problems of the book publishing industry in nigeria. List of best book publishers in nigeria, top book publishers in nigeria, book publishers near me, best book publishers. Book publishing and piracy in nigeria nigerian law. It was set up then with the aim of propagating christianity by providing literature to the new converts. Book publishing in nigeria is one of the oldest businesses in the history of the nation. Because of the absence of predetermined qualifications or conditions to be met, book publishing is one of the most unregulated industries in nigeria. Early history of book publishing in nigeria the very first printing press in nigeria was established in calabar in 1846 by rev. Ebscohost serves thousands of libraries with premium essays, articles and other content including book publishing in nigeria.
You can also find nigerian publishing services companies. According to records, there was no conscious effort or structure in the evolution of. Problems and prospects of book publishing in nigeria. Reviews this book by falola and heaton, two experienced and now famed collaborators, is a remarkable new addition to the growing library on a general history of nigeria. In the 1940s to 1960s a vibrant literary genre emerged around the commercial nerve centre of eastern nigeria onitsha. Book publishing in nigeria is essentially a private sector affair. The book publishing business requires a lot of patience. Communication for development has the ultimate purpose of facilitating the exchange of information that would engender the cultivation of new attitudes, norms and values.
This book offers a unique portrayal of a resilient people living in a country with immense, but unrealized, potential. The importance of publishing, determination of the book publishing to undertake. The history of book publishing can be traced to the establishment of first press in nigeria at calabar in 1846 by the presbyterian mission. History of book publishing in nigeria precolonial era colonial era early independence era onitsha market literature indigenization of. Promotion of book development and publishing will make the country utilize its potentials. Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in. Books play a vital role in the development of any society. The press was used to print bible lessons and later arithmetical books for schools. It enhances literacy development in the areas of science and technology. This research examines the early history of book publishing in nigeria using the onibonje publishers, a sole proprietor and family venture in nigeria, as a case study.
Reading culture in nigeria the journal of publishing. Publishing is the activity of preparing and issuing books, journals and other materials for sale. Reviews the historical background to the developments of the nigerian book industry. Modern childrens literature is classified in two different ways. Membership is open to publishers registered as limited liability companies in nigeria that have published a stipulated number of books. What is the history of book publishing in nigeria answers. There are over 100 book publishers in nigeria, with ibadan and lagos as major publishing centres. The coming of age of book publishing and indexing in nigeria. Opportunities, challenges of book publishing in nigeria in an era of e books by anote ajeluorou nigeria has had a fairly robust book publishing history starting from the establishment of university college, ibadan uci in 1948.
You can see a list of all publishing houses in nigeria. History of printing and publishing in nigeria good books africa. And if youre persistent and your work is great, i dont see why you shouldnt make it in the end. Book publishing in nigeria has seen some development. This article treats the history and development of book, newspaper, and magazine publishing in its technical and commercial aspects. A change in the political culture of nigerians as exhibited by former governor john kayode fayemi of ekiti state is the focus of this work.
The decree made it an offence for a newspaper or any wireless telegraphy station in nigeria to publish or. Nigeria has produced some of the worlds best authorsso. The first books of this genre appeared precisely in 1947. It was founded on the basic principle of introducing new ways of publishing through innovative and modern methods of creating content that would make learning easier, interactive and interesting to. A brief history of printing in nigeria nigerian voice. Childrens literature can be traced to stories and songs, part of a wider oral tradition, that adults shared with children before publishing existed. The evolution of printing in nigeria the 19th century marked the beginning of the evolution of printing in nigeria. The subjects of the papers range from the economics of publishing in nigeria and the prospects for the industry in the electronic age, through debates about government book policies, to training and the role of publishing organisations both in nigeria and internationally. Hope waddell of the presbyterian church of scotland mission. It is a rallying point for all book, journals, and electronic publishers in the country since its inception. Book publishing in nigeria resembles that in other countries in some respects, but must need advance in many others in order to serve a nation grappling with illiteracy and lowlevel advancement in socioeconomic variables, politics, science, technology and general wellbeing of the people. It entails lots of stressful processes, beginning from building the concept of the book, to doing a first draft, sending it for proofreading and then catering for the required finance to see that ideas. Reading culture in nigeria smars the journal of publishing culture april 20 the end of the 20th century in northern nigeria a number of literary societies emerged alongside cultural organizations that championed the hausa language and hausa customs. With the advent of digital information systems, the scope has expanded to include electronic publishing such as ebooks, academic journals.
The form, content, and provisions for making and distributing books have varied widely during their long history, but in general it may be said that a book is designed to serve as an instrument of communication. Ajibade 2003 in 1854 another missionary based in abeokuta, rev henry townsend of the church. History of nigerian literature everythinliterature. Traditionally, the term refers to the distribution of printed works, such as books, newspapers, and magazines.
Nigeria when reverend hope waddell and samuel edgerley made history in 1846. History of publishing history of publishing book publishing. How to publish a book in nigeria information guide in. Precisely in 1846, two missionaries hope waddel, with the help of his assistant samuel edgerly, established the first printing press at calabar, south eastern nigeria. In making sure that this form of art, written art, still stands, i will be sharing with you these five easy steps to publishing a book in nigeria, and im sure it will work anywhere in the world.
This is a story i had wanted to tell a long while ago, but events after my first book publication since 2010 has hindered it. The association provides a forum through which publishers come together and deliberate on various issues affecting the publishing industry and the book trade at large. With 24 titles on its list including the work of chimamanda ngozi adichie the company is leading a revolution in the movement to publish books by africans for africans. Nigeria has a limited number of bookshops, and printing books domestically is a difficult and expensive process. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing had been in existence some 68 years earlier. Using the swot analysis, the research looks at some of the strengths, challenges, basic problems and opportunities associated with the book publishing in nigeria. Before the 1914 amalgamation of the diverse peoples on the geographical entity named nigeria, publishing. Childrens literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are made for children. Literary agents of nigeria, self publishing companies of nigeria, printers in nigeria and more full list of services here you are currently viewing the directory of publishing companies in nigeria.
Book publishers in nigeria list of book publishers nigeria. Publishing can also be defined as the business or profession of the commercial production and issuance of. The evolution of the book as books have now reached the 21st century with the creation of the increasingly popular e book format, we thought it would be a good idea to take a look back at the long and involved history of the humble book. The book is a passport to the world, an indispensable vehicle of. Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. The art of publishing in nigeria still needs some adjustment in order to make publishing reachable to many nigerians who wish to publish their work. Okwilagwe 2001 noted that education is the backbone of national development and the book, a principal element in the educational process deserves a place of honour in our national priorities.