By Lucy Ogalue
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s publishing industry have called for a stronger regulatory framework to reposition the sector and address growing challenges affecting book production in the country.
They made the call during a roundtable discussion organised by the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) on Thursday in Lagos.
The stakeholders, in a statement, spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing International Book Fair at the National Theatre, Lagos.
Participants, including publishers, authors, librarians and education stakeholders, urged the Federal Government to revive the National Book Council introduced during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to them, this will help to coordinate activities within the nation’s book ecosystem.
The roundtable, themed “The Future of Publishing in Nigeria: Survival, Scale and Sustainability,” focused on declining reading culture, weak library systems, piracy, rising production costs and the impact of technological changes on local publishers.
The participants said that the National Book Council was to coordinate publishers, writers, printers, booksellers, librarians and government agencies activities towards effective policies and promotions for book development.
The President of NPA, Alhaji Lukman Dauda, said the publishing industry was too important to operate without proper coordination.
Dauda stressed that books remained central to national educational development and urged government to involve publishers in decisions relating to educational materials and industry policies.
A young participant at the event challenged assumptions that digital technology had displaced printed books.
The participant, who identified as a member of Generation Z, said she still preferred hard-copy books because they provided a more personal reading experience.
Among dignitaries at the event were renowned scholar and writer Olu Obafemi; the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, Dr John Asein and Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Prof. Salisu Shehu was also present at the event.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
