Tunji Alausa, Minister of Education, and John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, are among the top dignitaries expected at the 24th Nigeria International Book Fair, set to open on May 7, 2025, in Lagos, according to a statement by the organisers.
The annual fair event, an initiative of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust, an umbrella body for the major associations within the Nigerian book sector, would be staged from May 7–9, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos.
The two ministers are expected to feature in the international conference segment of the fair held on the theme, “Local Paper Production: Panacea to Affordable Book Production and Qualitative Education.”
The keynote address at the conference will be delivered by Abiodun Oluwafemi Oluwadare, a professor and erudite scholar at the Department of Forest Production and Products at the University of Ibadan.
Professor Oluwadare, with Segun Ajayi-Kadir, director general Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, CEO, Nixin Paper Mill Nigeria Limited and Rogers Nforgwei, MD/CEO, NMI Education, Cameroon, will serve as panellists during the plenary session, which will be moderated by Olugbemi Malomo, immediate past president, Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON).
Commenting on the rationale behind the choice of the theme for the international conference, Oluwadare Oluwatuyi, Chairman of Nigerian Book Fair Trust, the organisers of the annual book fair, expressed concern over the high cost of books and other teaching and learning materials, which has made schools and parents to drastically reduce their patronage of these vital needs for personal use and the education of their children. According to him, the high cost of importing pulp and paper into the country for book production cannot be unconnected with the rising cost of books in the market.
Oluwatuyi hopes that the conference would help stakeholders come to grips with the different factors hindering investment in local paper production in Nigeria, which is hampering the development of the book and knowledge industry in the country and also impacting jobs and livelihoods, while also offering an actionable roadmap for making Nigeria self-sufficient in pulp and paper products, and indeed a net regional exporter over time.
Another major highlight of the fair this year will be the Tertiary Education Summit, which will have vice-chancellors including Folasade Ogunsola, University of Lagos; Enase Okonedo, Pan Atlantic University;
Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, Lagos State University, Ojo; Elijah Afolabi, Mountain Top University; Olumuyiwa Omotola Odusanya, Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, who are all professors and rector, Yaba College of Technology, as special guests.
In its third edition, the Tertiary Education Summit—held annually in partnership with the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU)—will run with the theme, “Overcoming the Global Competitiveness Challenge in our Tertiary Education Landscape.” Dr Hope Eghagha, a University of Lagos academic and former Delta State Commissioner for Education, will moderate the plenary session.
Other fair highlights include a business networking dinner, special events for children and schools, and various activities by partners, constituent bodies, and participating organisations. As in previous editions, the fair will draw stakeholders across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
The Nigeria International Book Fair aims to showcase the richness of Nigerian books and literature, promote a reading culture, and provide a platform for varied stakeholders and policymakers to interface and network with the book industry players. The book fair also allows industry players to buy and sell publishing and marketing rights and access the latest global trends, information and developments related to the book business.
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