By Seyi Babalola
The association of booksellers, bookshop owners, authors, and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s book industry have urged the Nigerian government to lower the high cost of books as a reducing the number of out-of-school children.
The group lamented that the cost of textbooks, notebooks, and other writing materials have gotten more expensive in the market, resulting in a huge number of children dropping out of school due to the country’s economic problems.
The association made this known on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 in Lagos, at an inaugural awards festival hosted by Angels Expression Limited in collaboration with Binary Vision Publishers to honour outstanding performances in the book industry and recognise booksellers, including schoolteachers, who have positively impacted the lives of others.
One of the leaders of the association, Eze Peter Chime, said that because of the high cost of books and hike in school fees, many children have dropped out of school.
Chime, who is one of those who received awards, said it is very dangerous for children to be at home without going to school.
“Therefore, there is an urgent need to address the high cost of books in the market and save the future of Nigerian children.”
The Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Angels Expression Limited and organiser of the event, Mr. Michael Igele, who is also an author, said the major challenge in Nigerian book industry is piracy.
He said if the issue of piracy can be addressed the industry will move forward and it will improve the nation’s economy positively.
“Those doing the piracy sell the books they pirated at very low price because they did not work for it and this jeopardizes efforts of authors in Nigeria.”
The Director of the Curriculum Services Department, Lagos State Basic Education, Mr Abatan Damola, who also received the humanity award, commended organisers of the event, adding that it was the first of its kind where authors, booksellers and teachers were brought together under one roof to discuss the way forward in the book industry.
He explained that Angles Expression Limited is doing well as their books are being approved by the Lagos State Basic Education, adding that for one to have his/her books approved by Lagos State Basic Education the person must have attained high level of knowledge.
He said: “I will encourage the oranisers to do more by recognising outstanding performers in the Nigerian book industry because it will help in educational development in Lagos State and in Nigeria at large”.
