The Publishing Industry and the Reading Culture in Nigeria

Abstract

Let me start by commending the organisers of this very important event for inviting me to make a brief contribution on the crisis in the publishing industry and reading culture in Nigeria. The Anambra Book and Creativity Festival, a bold initiative of the organisers, is among other things, established as part of an ameliorative to this crisis. The inclusion of this topic for discussion in this seminar is sufficient indication that the organisers are very much worried about this crisis, so much so that they want to call attention to it. My prayer and wish is that this festival be helped by Government and well meaning Nigerians so that it can be sustained on a long time basis. Big and sustainable ideas many a time start in very small ways. 
The first issue to consider is whether there is a crisis in the publishing industry and reading culture in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, over the last several decades in Nigeria, many publishing houses have sprung up over the length and breadth of this country, and this so much so that the big players like Heinemann, University Publishers, Spectrum, university presses, etc., appear to have diminished in importance. In addition to the establishment of more publishing houses is the fact that current technology has made it possible for many writers to self-publish their writings. The rise of the Internet with associated access to different sorts of web pages, Facebook, and other social media has increased the tempo of publishing and posting of diverse forms of materials on the Internet. The crisis in the publishing industry, if there is, cannot therefore be that of a shortage of where to publish one‟s materials. 
There is hardly any doubt that the increase in the number of available publishing outlets in Nigeria has also increased the number of those who read them. Most of the young people in Nigeria are glued to the social media, and many celebrities are emerging through their ownership and management of blogs. Many newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, and all manner of religious literature are being published, disseminated, and read.