Over 150 exhibitors take part in Nigeria International Book Fair 2012

Jumbo Editorial Team

Over 150 exhibitors from Nigeria and other parts of the world participated in the 11th Nigeria International Book Fair 2012 which was held at the Multi-purpose halls of the University of Lagos from May 7 to 12.  

The six-day event was organized by the Nigerian Book Fair Trust Fund, a coalition of major stakeholders in the Nigerian book trade, as part of their avowed mission to empower the people by promoting reading culture and bringing books and other instructional materials closer to the people for better education and self-improvement

The fair also opened another window for many to network in the book and publishing sector with direct contact with major players in the industry from within and outside the country. For many who have been looking for where to buy books, connect with publishers, especially young writers, students as well as the general public, the fair provided an avenue to meet their educational needs under one roof in pleasant environment.  

Apart from the exhibition, one other major feature of the fair was the annual International Conference of Nigeria International Book Fair that brought together the movers and shakers in the book industry to rub minds on topical issues that bother on the stability of the industry.

The international conference was held at Afe Babalola Auditorium of the University of Lagos and the crucial issue threatening the growth of the book industry in Africa with the theme ‘The State of Infrastructural Development in Africa and the Future of the Book Trade.’

The speakers at the conference were of the view that though the book industry was lacking infrastructural support that should aid its growth, that there’s future for the book industry if major players think outside the box and treated the current challenges as surmountable.

The conference was chaired by Ambassador Segun Olusola, Chairman of African Refuge Foundation, while the keynote speaker was Ghana-born Richard Crabbe, a book expert from the World Bank group who has been in the book business for years.