Stakeholders in Nigeria’s book industry on Thursday, at the 20th edition of the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) conference said that the role of women in the industry cannot be overemphasized, noting that the engagement of women in the book ecosystem remained critical to the quest for promoting and improving book culture in the country and beyond.

This was disclosed in a communique issued at the end of 2021 Conference/Book Presentation/ AGM of Book Sellers Association of Nigeria (BAN), which held in Lagos.

The Conference, which held at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: 'Women in Bookselling in Nigeria: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,' offered an opportunity for stakeholders in the book business sphere to appraise the role of women in promoting reading culture in Nigeria and Africa at large.

The conference emphasised the need for opening up the playing field for more women participation in the book industry, noting that having more women on board would vastly improve reading culture, given their roles in the homes and the society.

It noted that there are too few women in the book sector despite the strategic role of women in education adding that there are much more men than women in the book industry, and called for conscious efforts to be made towards bringing more women into the sector.

The conference advocated for 40 percent affirmative action, noting that such is needed to accommodate more women while emphasizing that such should be streamlined and not done at the expense of merit.

The fair also called on the government to pay more attention to the book industry, noting that, “Government should encourage the industry by providing finance by way of low interest loans.”

The conference said the book sector is a whole industry of its own and should be recognized as such, with players in the industry availed of Bank of Industry’s low interest facilities.

It urged government to recognize book business as social service, with policies channelled towards encouraging the sector, such allocation of forex to booksellers and other players in the industry.

The fair, while regretting the effect of piracy, called on relevant authorities to double effort towards checkmating the menace, while commending the effort of the Nigerian Copyright Commission in this regard.

It observed that there was need to revive the book culture in the country, calling on parents and other stakeholders to make conscious effort to encourage children to read books.

Players in the book industry were encouraged to work with governments at the local levels to set up libraries, as well as make books available to primary schools and displaced persons camps.

The conference witnessed presentations from Hon. Mrs. Folashade Anna Shinkaiye, chairman of the conference, and the panel of discussants, comprising Pastor Mrs. Oluyinka Morgan, Mrs. Olo Okaisabor and Mrs. Edith Obieke.

The book presentation session was chaired by Mr. Lanre Adesuyi, while Mr. Lukman Dauda was the chief presenter. Mr. John Asein served as special guest of honour, while Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile was the book reviewer.

Update news