Re-strategising to strengthen the Nigeria publishing industry to meet future challenges

1.0     Introduction

I count it exceptional privilege to be invited to give the keynote address at the 2020 annual general meeting of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA). My relationship with the NPA goes far back as 1987 when I was briefed to represent the NPA in lobbying for and drafting Nigeria’s Copyright Act, 1988 (as amended). It has been interesting being in the dungeons on behalf of the NPA, fighting against the piracy of books and mediating many disputes

Like its kindred industries, the book publishing industry is facing enormous challenges. Yet, the industry has been resilient and has survived some of the worst forecasts as to its future.[1] Internationally, the broad traditional monolithic publishing industry has probably fizzled as the dominant.[2]Traditional book publishing with its common purpose of editing, cover design, interior layout, printing words on paper and distributing is experiencing change.

The internet and communications technology has unbundled traditional book industry publishing model with disruptions by digital publishing, self-publishing, eBooks, smartphones, audiobooks and the like.[3]The advent of eBooks poseda concern whether books in print will become extinct.[4]Studies conducted up to 2010 suggested that the print and electronic books complement each other and will continue to exist simultaneously together.[5] Ten years later in 2020, printed books have survived internationally.[6] Book publishing in Nigeria is no exception.

The theme for this year’s AGM raises a number of issues and assumptions. The first is that there are challenges beleaguering the publishing industry, now and possibly in the future. The second is that there is a need to strengthen the industry and this raises a presumption that there are weaknesses that must be identified. The third is that we must brainstorm to suggest strategies for a more sustainable and viable publishing industry in the future. 

2.       Possible Impact of Law and Policy: Instrument of Social Engineering

My keynote is entrenched in the Austinian school of law, that law is an instrument of social engineering. I will adumbrate a number of issues to stimulate discussions and I will offer practicable solutions especially on relevant laws and government policies that can make the 2020-2030 decade the decade for Nigerian publishers. Two examples, one from yesteryears and another from recent times will drive home my point.

About three decades ago, a major challenge was the remittance of licence fees due by the Nigerian publishing houses that were subsidiaries of UK publishers. In those days, it was difficult getting foreign exchange. Yet many Nigerian titles were published pursuant to licences from UK publishers, sometimes under onerous licence terms of up to 20% royalty. The solution which derived from the lobby of the NPA was a Nigerian government policy hedging the maximum licence fee as 14%. This solution offered succor for the Nigerian publishing industry.

A more recent example of the possible impact of policy is one that is boosting the demand for university publishers. The promotions policy of many tertiary institutions that may have been influenced by the National Universities Commission (NUC) classifies books published by university publishers higher (for scoring and assessments of the books) than other books, especially self-published books. This has nurtured the preference for academics for university publishers. Whilst it is unlikely that the NPA had any input to this policy, it shows that policy can be a catalyst for growth.

3.       The Significance of Data

Data can be regarded as the lynchpin for discussing the future of any organization. Strangely, there is a dearth of reliable data for Nigeria’s publishing industry. Data concerning the following should be easily accessible: the largest publisher, the best-selling educational books, the best-selling publishing sectors, monies derived from bookstores, losses derived from bookstores and possible causes, monies derived from selling to government, monies owed by governments who fail to pay, monies derived from selling books via other platforms,

how many publishing houses have “failed”?, how many new publishing houses have been established? how many bookstores have been closed?, how many new bookstores have been opened? what is responsible for the weak return on investments for publishing and for bookstores in Nigeria?, how are print book libraries faring today in terms of visits, purchases and subscriptions and what are their numbers? what is happening to book distribution?, should we blame the economy, the poor reading culture, or the intrusion by technology?, is the situation any different in the United States of America, with one of the largest book publishing industries in the world?

I must stress that a dearth of data does not mean data is completely absent. It means there is little reliable data. The most reliable data, the PWC figures for 2013 to 2017 for the 2016-2020 report[7] (earlier PWC report), are different from the figures for the 2018-2022 report[8] (second PWC report). The 2013 figure for the earlier PWC report shows that books earned $39 million in 2013,  whilst the second PWC report shows books earned $23.8 million in 2013. Similarly, the 2017 figure for the earlier PWC report shows that book earned $48 million whilst the second PWC report shows books earned $30.2 million in 2017. This reveals a gap in data. Going forward, NPA must work with the Federal Office of Statistics and bodies such as PWC in obtaining reliable data.

PWC predict that literacy levels and reading initiatives will begin to take hold causing the publishing market to be boosted with increase in total revenue for the industry.[9] NPA must promote the PWC reports that predict that irrespective of the challenges facing the Nigeria publishing industry today and in future, there will be a consistent growth in the publishing industry, this makes the industry a most viable one for investors.[10] The PWC reports show that the educational books sector in Nigeria is today the largest subsector of the Nigeria’s publishing industry and will continue to have sway as the largest sub-sector.[11]

Distribution, production and copyright issues continue to present Nigerian publishers with challenges. Book revenues are nonetheless predicted to grow to US$55 million in 2020 (a CAGR of 4.5%), with educational titles accounting for 65% of the market by 2020.

4.       Problems

The NPA may agree with Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PWC) who suggest that distribution, production and copyright issues continue to present Nigerian publishers with challenges.[12] I will therefore endeavour to identify what constitutes distribution, production and copyright challenges to book publishing in Nigeria. 

According to PWC,

Book digitisation is thought to be a vital means of promoting a leisure reading culture by capitalising on young people’s adoption of technology: smartphone connections will treble and tablet use will double by 2022. The consumer market’s marginal growth will be boosted only by improvements in the sales of digital books, which will increase at a 16.9% CAGR. Although revenue remains low, the share of the market taken by e-books will continue to grow. Opportunities exist for publishers to adopt innovative approaches to e-books and reach a new generation of potential consumers. By 2022, total consumer books revenue will reach US$10 million.[13]

PWC sales 2011-2020 figures

Sector sales by year

PWC sales 2013-2022 figures

5.       Staffing and Capacity Building

The quality of staff among NPA members is a mix match. Some have highly qualified and experienced staff, whilst others do not.[14] Some studies suggest that staff are either non-professionals, insufficient staff, or they lack sufficient consistent capacity building measures.[15] It is not unusual to witness a high labour turnover of staff which is sometimes engendered by poor remuneration, causing experienced staff to seek greener pastures[16] in other companies, other industries or to establish themselves smaller publishing outfits. This issue demands urgent review by the NPA.

Inadequate knowledge in some publishing houses about the local syllabus inhibits the capacity to publish educational books. The NPA needs to engage organisations that are able to offer capacity building, ranging from the ministries of education to universities, tertiary educational institutes, to partners like foreign embassies and funding agencies. 

6.       Capital: Finance and Funding

Despite innovation, publishing costs have remained significant.[17]The major components of the raw materials for printing are denominated in scarce and expensive foreign exchange, invariably increasing the cost of books.[18] The costs of generating power to print books and warehouse books remain prohibitive.

Lack of a robust investment finance support affects funding, capitalization and budgeting. The cost of money in Nigeria is exorbitant. Banks shy away from granting loans to publishers, while very few investors show any interest in book publishing, as it requires intensive investment but yields income slowly. This has consequences.  Weak funding causes many publishing firms to experience problems with office equipment and space whilst others have severe infrastructural problems.[19] Publishers are unable to plan or to keep publishing schedules. Some publishing houses need to develop succession plans for the next generation of publishers possibly with expanded investors. Publishers may need to open up to financial analysts and investors who may invest in the industry and help reinvigorate the industry.[20]

NPA must approach TETFUND to offer funding to expand the equipment and facilities of publishers in tertiary institutions. TETFUND may be persuaded to fund a couple of printing presses for universities. NPA must work with promoters who will market the publishing industry to investors especially as the PWC reports predict a growth in the book publishing industry.

7.       Government Policies and Educational Books

Given that the government regulates education and owns most schools, publishers in the educational book space are belaboured by a numerous of hitches. Government policies can make or mar a publishing house. The removal of history from school syllabus affected history titles with attendant effects on publishing houses, authors and bookstores. 

The system of recommending or listing books for use in educational institutions is often bereft of transparency. The NPA must continually place this on its radar and continuously engage governments with a view to improving the methodology for listing and recommending books. Unfavourable government regulations on tariffs and the importation of raw materials coupled with unstable monetary policies and inflation combine to make publishing expensive. NPA must engage the federal government on policies that impact the publishing industry adversely. NPA may find allies in the lobbying process in the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the like. Similarly, NPA must engage the government on school curricula as the subjects included or excluded impact publishers.

8.       Weak Consumer Buying Power

The weakness of the Nigerian economy has debilitating impact on all industries. Despite the large market, many industries have had to be innovative to meet the challenges of the weak buying power of the average Nigerian consumer. Given the increasingly weak buying power of consumers, Nigerian manufacturing companies have had to introduce small sachets of products that consumers can buy. The pricing of books is sometimes beyond what buyers are willing to pay, leading to poor sales and losses to publishers and authors. Unlike books, many products can be sold in smaller portions and sachets. It is doubtful if books can be presented in the same manner. Even if books can be sold chapter by chapter, the production costs may make this model impracticable. Yet, this raises a challenge that calls for deeper scrutiny. We cannot afford to dismiss the need to consider solutions to meeting weak consumer spending power.

There was a time when there was consumer, teacher or government preference for foreign published books but this is no longer a challenge.

9.       Challenges with Bookstores

The number of bookstores has dwindled internationally. Like payphones, typewriter repair shops and middle-class housing. New York, a Mecca of bookstores has witnessed the closure of several bookstores due to high rents, a change in the reading culture and competition from technological intrusions like Amazon.[21] From 386 bookstores in 1950 to 106 in 2015 to 80 bookstores in 2019. The same is true in many US cities. With sales declining in the last six years,[22]Barnes and Noble, America’s last major book store chain is shuttering locations in the bid to evolve for a digital future.[23] Amazon’s Kindle and Apples’ Ipad disrupted the bookstore and Borders, a bookstore that was once the second largest in the US went into bankruptcy.[24]

Once again, Nigeria is no exception. There is a dearth of reliable data on the number of bookstores, and possible reasons for closure, increase or decrease in numbers. The demise of Abiola Bookstores may not be unrelated to the demise of its founder, Bashorun MKO Abiola, and this bookstore may not be a good example.    

Some bookstores have appalling cultures. They fail to account or pay, many do not honour credit facilities extended to them, some abuse the sale or return privileges offered by publishers whilst some bookstores do not store unrecommended books.[25]The NPA must work with associations of bookstores to review the situation and seek solutions to the issues arising from the problems occasioned by bookstores to the publishing industry.

10.     Libraries

The number of print book libraries has diminished. Many libraries are not well stock. Librarians face a myriad of problems. It is doubtful if there is any “price check tools for most books published in Nigeria leaving acquisition librarians in a quandary.[26]  Publishers in Nigeria tend to focus on local distribution to bookstores or booksellers whereas internet or online sales channels and other viable means of making indigenous books available to libraries have remained neglected.[27]There is a need to develop and use information and communication technology (ICT) tools for marketing and distributing of indigenous books,[28] and social media to disseminate offerings to and for librarians.[29] This is irrespective of the low level of use of electronic sources in libraries.[30]

For instance, a study suggests that librarians in South Africa use web tools more frequently than the librarians in university libraries in Nigeria possibly due to lack of awareness, interest, skills or unwillingness to embrace emerging technologies.[31]  This disparity in use of ICT by Nigerian librarians may be occasioned by power failure, internet fluctuations or subscriptions. The NPA must endeavour to influence the evolving culture of librarians in the light of ICT[32] by promoting capacity building among librarians.[33]

Libraries are expected to have 10% of university current expenditure by NUC policy.[34]  Pursuant to statutory obligations of federal universities, the “council shall ensure that the disbursement of funds of the university complies with approved budgetary ratio for personnel costs overhead costs, research and development, library development, and the balance of expenditure between academic vis a vis non-academic activities”.[35] It is not certain that federal, state or private universities allocate sufficient funds for library acquisitions. Nigerian polytechnics are no exceptions.[36]Given the size of the educational book sector, the NPA must interface with librarians and authorities in universities in tertiary institutions and the regulatory bodies such as the NUC in urging for measures to enforce the policies that tertiary institutions must devote about 10% of their budget on the purchase of books.

11.     Poor Reading Culture

The poor reading culture in Nigeria[37] is exacerbated by the internet and other challenges, but the reading culture in many climes including the USA, is on the decline.[38] What can the NPA do to promote the reading culture in Nigeria. I suggest that the NPA has to promote the reading culture in Nigeria through collaboration with Nollywood through films, music through music ambassadors, and the entertainment sector through programmes such as game and reality shows.

12.     Distribution

Ineffective distribution pattern is the bane of Nigeria’s creative industries, the book publishing industry inclusive! Distribution network is underdeveloped and expensive with few wholesalers, often leaving big publishers to establish their own outlets with attendant increased overhead costs. This lessens the capacity of many publishers to maximise the potentials of Nigeria ‘s huge market.[39]One of the causes of piracy is unavailability of books.[40] To this end, NPA must place this issue on its front burner.

It is uncertain whether adapting measures similar to the collocation of telephone masts model in the telecommunications industry may help the publishing industry. Instead of having each company build and maintain its telephone masts, the regulator and the market has moved towards a model where a different company builds and maintains masts that all telecommunications companies can locate their equipment. Perhaps it is high time the publishing industry consider wholesale distributing models.

13.     Copyright

Copyright is the nerve centre of the publishing industry. The first copyright statute in the commonwealth, the Statute of Anne was passed as a result of the lobby of the English publishing industry, the Guild of Stationers.[41]Copyright law, a child of statute, came on the heels of the technological disruption of that age, the printing press. Today, as we witness other technological break-throughs, there are calls for modifications to the copyright system to meet new needs.

My close association with the publishing industry reveals four challenges that are derived from copyright issues in the industry. The first issue which can be the beldam of the industry is the piracy of printed and online content, that is, the unathorised wholesale reproduction of third party content.[42]The second issue is the confusion that arises from an improper understanding of copyright law in Nigeria in terms of ownership, a consideration of who owns works done by commissioned persons or employed persons. This second issue affects copyright clearance, that is, who must be contacted in order to obtain permission for the exploitation of the work. The third issue is a consideration of the extent to which you can lean on ideas in the contents of others in creating yours. The last is the weakness in exploiting the potentials of the treasure in copyright. Given that this is a keynote paper, space and time will only enable me offer an outline of these issues. They are issues that demand deeper articulation and brainstorming for the NPA to develop requisite strategies. Some require a full workshop in order to distill the issues and appreciate how to apply them on the publishing business.

14.     Piracy

Piracy in Nigeria in endemic. Local piracy and cross border piracy from Asia of printed books is rife. Fortunately, the Copyright Act has sufficient provisions to combat piracy. Although the sanctions for copyright offences is arguably low, the fact that pirates can lose their equipment and be imprisoned is sufficiently deterrent. The Copyright Bill 2015 has more stringent penalties. The NPA may join the lobby for the Bill to be passed. In line with Nigeria’s treaty obligations and the needs of local industries, the Copyright 2015 Bill also plugs the gaps in the Copyright Act on lapses on online copyright infringement.

Wise Nigerians spend money to secure their assets, including internet and communications systems. Members of the NPA must dedicate a large fund to fight piracy. It will continue to cost the NPA money to hire investigators, lawyers et al to fight piracy. Piracy is organized crime with significant funds. The fight against piracy cannot be won unless a reasonable fund is available. It can be a dangerous exercise as pirates operate in a clandestine manner, whether in Ajegunle, Aba, Benin, Kano or elsewhere. NPA must lobby the government to give better funding and support to the Copyright Commission who has powers to prosecute pirates for criminal offences. NPA and its member firms must vigorously pursue piracy through raids with follow up civil actions instituted against pirates.

15.     Ownership of Copyright

Being a child of statute, copyright laws may vary slightly on issues of authorship and ownership from country to country. The tenor of most copyright statutes is to identify the author of the work and vest initial ownership in the author. In Nigeria, the author is the creator of the work and the first owner of copyright in the work.

The rules on ownership of works has also been altered since the 1988 Copyright Act was passed.  The 1911 Copyright Act and the 1970 Copyright Act, which were precursors to the 1988 Act leaned in favour of the employer in that under those statutes, copyright was transferred to the employer for works made in the course of employment. Under the 1988 Act, copyright remains with the employee for works created in the course of employment unless there is a written contract to the contrary. 

This means that publishers must build capacity for copyright clearances. Employment and commissioning contracts must be properly worded to ensure that copyright is transferred from the authors to the publishers. Publishers will continue to suffer from their failure to conduct due diligence exercises about the ownership of copyright and valid transfer of rights to enable them publish. 

16.     Drawing ideas from other Publishers

Copyright does not protect ideas per se, but the form in which an idea is expressed. Three persons, A, B, and C, can witness an event and report the event in writing. A, B, or C’s report will be protected by copyright. One of the purposes of copyright is to promote creativity. The Copyright Act prevents us from taking a substantial part from the work of others without permission. Although another person’s work may inspire yours, you will infringe copyright if you take a substantial part from another person’s work such that it can be seen that your work is recognizably derived from the other person’s work. Herein lies increasing danger for the future of publishing. To what extent can you be inspired by another person’s work in creating yours?

This issue requires further scrutiny. There is a significant volume of work that have been made freely available for use. It is possible that two or more publishers use such freely available works in creating content in line with educational syllabus, or for fiction. Publishers will need to review each set of facts to determine whether such works may amount to the infringement of copyright.  This requires capacity building and further consultations as it is an area for great exploitation.

17.     Copyright Bundle: The Treasure in the Bundle of Rights

That JK Rawlings has done exceptionally well with her books is an understatement. However, the success of her books was aided by the exploitation of the surrounding potentials, the bundle of rights that comprise the copyright of JK Rawlings. Nigerian fiction books have not performed poorly as we have some record of the plays and books that have been adapted for television, film and theatre. However, we can do more. Publishers may need to grow the market and demand for adaptations. Nollywood can benefit from fiction if the NPA promotes same. NPA may need to build its capacity for doing this either on its own or in collaboration with others.  This will grow the demand for the books so exploited.

From Ekwensi’ JaguaNana’s Daughter, to Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and numerous plays of Nigerian playwrights, examples abound of books whose television, film or theatrical rights have been exploited. The film or television rights to some books written by Nigerians made international headlines recently. Leading Kenya star, Lupita Nyong’o bought the film rights to Chimamanda’s Americanah in 2014 and she is working on the screenplay with fellow “Black Panther” castmate, Danai Gurira.[43] An international film house licensed the film rights in Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and this may hopefully be directed by Nigerian-American director, Rick Famuyiwa.[44] FX, the television network that produced the series Atlanta, has licensed the book Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi.[45]

We must not assume that such options are available only for fiction. An example will drive home my point. Nigerian languages are now being taught in some foreign universities, especially in the United States of America. This offers opportunities for evergreen books such as the Yoruba book ALAWIYE. The book offers opportunities for animation, short radio series, skits and short tv series, films and merchandising. Such offerings can only aid further distribution of the books in print and other formats.

18.     Emerging Culture: EBooks and Options

Internet, computer and communication technologies have caused continuous disruptions to consumer preference and the publishing industry. Member firms of the NPA must continue to be innovative in order to sustain the return on investments in the publishing industry. Sister sectors in the media industry have offered moonlighting opportunities for staff who as online personalities, work as masters of ceremonies and the like. For publishing, authors may no longer focus primarily on how to make money with their books, rather, authors may focus on how to use their books to promote themselves[46] in order to for instance, to get speaking or teaching engagements and the like. The forecast for ebooks is promising. As such, wise investors may position themselves to exploit this opportunity.

19.     Conclusion

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have come to the end of my speech. I have articulated a number of challenges that the publishing industry is facing today, or will face in future.  I have suggested strategies to address these challenges. I hope the NPA will adopt the suggestions highlighted.   Once again, I congratulate you for yet another successful year in publishing especially during COVID-19. 

• Sodipo, professor of Copyright Law, is the Senior Partner at G.O. Sodipo & Co, and former Dean of Law at Babcock University.

*Ph.D (London) B.L. Professor, Babcock University (Former Dean), Visiting Scholar, Queen Mary University of London, Visiting Scholar, University of Cambridge, Visiting Fellow, British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Partner, G.O. Sodipo & Co (Barristers, Solicitors & Arbitrators)[email protected], [email protected]

** Being a keynote paper at the 2020 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Publishers Association, Enugu, December 3, 2020.

[1] Bill Cope & Angus Phillips (eds), The Future of the Book in the Digital Age, Chandos Publishing (2006).

[2] Tucker Max, “The Future of Publishing: Where Is the Book Industry Headed?”, https://scribewriting.com/future-of-publishing/, accessed November 21, 2020.

[3] Tucker Max, ibid..

[4]Vasileiou, M., Hartley, R. and Rowley, J. (2009), “An overview of the e‐book marketplace”, Online Information Review, Vol. 33 No. 1, pp. 173-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520910944454; LSB Elizabeth, N Ismail, MSZ Tun, The Future of the Printed Book, https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/future-printed-book/60487; Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Planned obsolescence: Publishing, technology, and the future of the academy (2011) NYU Press, https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qg9mh, all accessed November 22, 2020.

[5] Olaf Ernst &Wouter van der Velde, “The Future of eBooks? Will Print disappear? An End-User Perspective”, https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/07378830911007673/full/html, accessed November 22, 2020. Carreiro, E. Electronic Books: How Digital Devices and Supplementary New Technologies are Changing the Face of the Publishing Industry. Pub Res Q 26, 219–235 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12109-010-9178-z, accessed November 22, 2020.

[6] Heike Schaefer, Alexander Starre(eds.), The Printed Book in Contemporary American Culture: Medium, Object, Metaphor (2019) Palgrave Macmillan, https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030225445, accessed November 22, 2020.

[7]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2016–2020, https://www.pwc.co.za/en/assets/pdf/enm/entertainment-and-media-outlook-2016-2020.pdf

[8]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective, p.139 https://www.pwc.co.za/en/assets/pdf/entertainment-and-media-outlook-2018-2022.pdf, accessed November 22, 2020.

[9] PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective, ibid

[10]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2016–2020, note 7

[11]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2016–2020, ibid

[12] PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2016–2020, note 7   

[13] PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective, note 8

[14]Iwu Juliana James, “Problems of the Book Publishing Industry in Nigeria: The Onibonje Publishers Experience after 50 Years”, http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/3281/1/Problems%20of%20the%20Book.pdf; Nkechi M. Christopher, “The book in Nigeria in the 21st The book in Nigeria in the 21st Century: Prospects and challenges” https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/56546382/7-The_Book_in_Nigeria_in_the_21st_Century.pdf?1526131146=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3D7_The_Book_in_Nigeria_in_the_21st_Centur.pdf&Expires=1606193133&Signature=C5uoUszrDzUT4D7xfmXI9TS4OpNRT8fv7NCu~WqAuDaAxZ9QBSJrGwwwwSvXMN5wIw1LPGKG3hVX~kX0MWI4ILw80TxcIK6Is5hyMPsHs~IjmX~RdpF-27-JKqQ7LJtWEnHtZgbObTu4SQrezVkPEMdAp99H5y9CA-tj–Acll0Rl6QOlTZkQZh4ATHBstCqlhfAalNFfM9MN~l9TRFOw86KfHhwLBbpWZgeBUz2~ALl10thH1zib8LxksTkmcX8TWPsxAYrLFzdtzQbzwIMXRl4dR9W9UiW7lfXmKS-ctrHvwNuMTTQCINMhdmtNKuR85Q~YoufIgafSSfZSst7mg__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA accessed November 24, 2020.

[15] Christopher, ibid.

[16] Christopher, ibid.

[17]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective, p.139.

[18]Akinfolarin, W.A. Economic reform and the dearth of books in Nigeria. Book Research Quarterly 5, 30–35 (1989). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%252FBF02683796

[19] Christopher, note 14.

[20] A.N. Greco, The book publishing industry, Routledge, 2013

[21] J Oliver Conroy, “Why are New York’s bookstores disappearing?”,

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/04/why-are-new-yorks-bookstores-disappearing accessed November 22, 2020.

[22] Lauren Thomas, “This holiday season could seal Barnes & Noble’s fate as the bookseller considers selling itself”, https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/08/this-holiday-season-could-seal-barnes–nobles-fate.html, accessed November 22, 2020.

[23] Peter Osnos, “The Endangered Fate of Barnes & Noble”, https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/02/the-endangered-fate-of-barnes-noble/272865/, accessed November 22, 2020.

[24] Corinne Ruff, “Inside the final days of Borders’ bankruptcy — and what Mike Edwards learned as its last CEO” https://www.retaildive.com/news/borders-bankruptcy-mike-edwards-ceo/428173/ accessed November 21, 2020

[25] Christopher, note 14.

[26]Iwu-James, Juliana and Ifijeh, Goodluck Price Analysis and Acquisition of Indigenous Books in Nigerian Libraries. Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 41. pp. 85-96 (2016),  http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/6612 accessed November 25, 2020.

[27]Iwu-James, Juliana and Ifijeh, Goodluck Price Analysis and Acquisition of Indigenous Books in Nigerian Libraries. Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 41. pp. 85-96 (2016),  http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/6612 accessed November 25, 2020.

[28]Iwu-James, Juliana and Ifijeh, Goodluck Price Analysis and Acquisition of Indigenous Books in Nigerian Libraries. Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 41. pp. 85-96 (2016),  http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/6612 accessed November 25, 2020.

[29] Stella C. Nduka, “Use of Social Media in Marketing Library and Information Services in Nigeria Libraries”,

Library Science and Administration: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/use-of-social-media-in-marketing-library-and-information-services-in-nigeria-libraries/191535, accessed November 25, 2020.

[30]Evarest C. Madu, “Electronic Book Usage and Institutional Readiness in University Libraries in Nigeria”, International Journal of Research in Library Science, Vol.5(2) (2019) p.14-20, http://www.ijrls.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ELECTRONIC-BOOK-USAGE-AND-INSTITUTIONAL-READINESS-IN-UNIVERSITY-LIBRARIES-IN-NIGERIA.pdf, accessed November 23, 2020; Pereware A. Tiemo, and Nelson Edewor, “ICT Readiness of Higher Institution Libraries in Nigeria”, Modern Library Technologies for Data Storage, Retrieval, and Use (2013) https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/content/73777, accessed November 23, 2020.

[31] Emmanuel E. Baro, Ebiere Joyce Ebiagbe, & Vera Zaccheaus Godfrey, “Web 2.0 tools usage: a comparative study of librarians in university libraries in Nigeria and South Africa”, Library Hi Tech News, https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/LHTN-04-2013-0021/full/html, accessed November 23, 2020.

[32] Violet E. Ikolo, “Transformational Leadership for Academic Libraries in Nigeria”, Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition, https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/transformational-leadership-for-academic-libraries-in-nigeria/184272, accessed November 23, 2020.

[33] Christopher AgbeniaruOmigie& Gabriel EjiobiBosah, “Influence of Capacity Building and Attitude to Work of librarians in Edo State Public Libraries, Nigeria”, International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology Vol.10(1) p. 35-45 (March, 2020) http://ijkcdt.net/xml/22803/22803.pdf, accessed November 24, 2020.

[34]BappahMagaji Abubakar, “Academic Libraries in Nigeria in the 21st Century”, Library Philosophy and Practice, 2011.

[35] S. 2AAA (2), Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1993 as amended by the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act, 2003.

[36] See for example, SB Suberu, “Budgeting Strategies in Selected Federal Polytechnic Libraries in Nigeria”, Samaru Journal of Information Studies Vol. 10 No. 1-2 (2010) in African Journals Online, https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sjis/article/view/75679, accessed November 24, 2020.

[37]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective.

[38] For a mention of the decline in the US, see J Oliver Conroy, “Why are New York’s bookstores disappearing?”,

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/04/why-are-new-yorks-bookstores-disappearing accessed November 22, 2020.

[39]Christopher. PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective.

[40] Bankole Sodipo, Piracy and Counterfeiting GATTT TRIPS and Developing Countries, Kluwer (1997) London, Boston.

[41]Bankole Sodipo, Copyright: Principles, Practice & Procedure, (2^nd ed.), Swan Publishers Lagos, Chapter 1.

[42]PWC, Entertainment and media outlook: 2018 – 2022: An African perspective.

[43]https://www.pulse.ng/bi/lifestyle/these-3-award-winning-nigerian-books-are-being-made-into-tv-shows-and-movies/f0zhc8d, accessed November 27, 2020.

[44]Ibid.

[45]Ibid.

[46] Tucker Max, “The Future of Publishing: Where Is the Book Industry Headed?”,note 2