Nigeria International Book Fair

The Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) is an annual cultural event in the republic of Nigeria. It is known to be the most attended book fair in the whole of Africa, being the only international book fair in Nigeria and the second largest international book fair in Africa. NIBF brings together book enthusiasts such as writers and poet that are generally involved in the creation of print, audio and digital books all over the country at her annual fair. The main aim of the festival is to promote and improve the reading culture among Nigerians and Africans as a whole. Every second week of May annually, the NIBF hosts publishers, booksellers, illustrators, authors, exhibitors and readers who displays and sell their books at discounted prices.[1][2]

History

The Nigeria International Book Fair was inaugurated in 2001. The chairman of the event is also known to be the chairman of Nigerian Book Fair Trust, who currently is Gbadega Adedapo.[3][4] In 2012, the 11th edition of the fair hosted about 130 exhibitors with over 40,000 visitors.[5]

The 20th edition of the fair hosted the president of the international Publisher Association (IPA), Geneva, Switzerland, Shiekha Bodour Al-Qasimi, as the Keynote Speaker along with several prominent individuals like the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Special Guest of Honor, First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who was the chairperson of the event and Africa's richest woman, Folorunso Alakija. Also the Governor of Lagos State, Me. Babajide Sanwoolu who was the Chief Host.[2][3]

This 20th edition held in the Harbour Point Victoria Island July 27- 29, 2021. The press conference held in Protea Hotels Ikeja introducing the theme “Awakening the Giant in Women for the Growth of the Book Ecosystem” featured the physical showcasing of books. The fair had book lovers across the globe, including those who joined virtually.[6]

Festivity

The Nigeria International Book Fair festival majorly involves the display of several books for exhibition, providing a platform for the sale of these books to interested customers. The festival also features other programmes which includes; teachers training workshop, publishers workshop, a two-day programme for children, principal officers education summit, author's groove, printers seminar and others.[7]

The summit of school owners and principal officers of schools in Nigeria was later introduced in the 2015 edition in bid to make the event a more memorable one for both the visitors and exhibitors.[7]

The 2021 NIBF featured the launching of the book 'Madagali' authored by Dr. Wale Okediran (Secretary General of the Pan Africa Writers Association PAWA.[8]

Guest of honour and theme
Year Theme of the Year Venue Focus of Interest Guest of Honour
2002 Publishing for Peace International Conference Centre, Abuja Promoting peace Wole Soyinka
2003 Women Empowerment Through Publishing Le Meridien Eko Hotel, Lagos Women Empowerment
2004 Book Trade Across Boundaries Multi-purpose Hall, University of Lagos Trading Dirk Koehler
2011 Technology and the Future of the Book: Implication for the African Book Industry Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos New Technology Application Lateef Jakande and Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe
2012 The State of Infrastructural Development in Africa and the Future of the Book Trade Multi-purpose Hall, University of Lagos Infrastructural Devlelopmet
2014 Emergence of E-book and the Survival of Physical Book in Africa[9] Multi-purpose Hall, University of Lagos Promoting E-books
2015 African Youth Empowerment through Book for sustainable National Development Multi-purpose Hall, University of Lagos Youth Empowerment Prof. Ismail Junaidu
2018 Networking – A Sustainable Vehicle for Dynamism and Survival of Book Business in Africa. Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall, University of Lagos Networking Application Dr. Lola Akande
2019 Optimising New Technology in Book Development and Distribution for the Promotion of Book in Africa Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall, University of Lagos Utilizing Technology Book Development and Distribution Hameed Bobboyi
2020 Information Technology as a Panacea for the Book Industry Sustainability Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic Virtual (Online ) Application of Information Technology Huago Setzer
2021 Awakening the Giant in Women for the Growth of the Book Ecosystem[10][11] Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria Women Bodour Al-Qasimi

Sponsors and supporters

The Nigeria International Book Fair is in collaboration with the Nigeria Book Fair Trust. The festival is also sponsored by several institutions and agencies such as:[12]

References
  1. "About NIBF – NIBF". Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  2. "Awakening the giant in women through books". Daily Trust. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  3. Simon, Stephanie (2021-07-19). "National Book Fair Trust Announces 20th Annual Fair". Voice of Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  4. "Harvest of books, as 2015 Nigeria book fair opens in Lagos". Vanguard News. 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  5. "Nigeria International Book Fair". Edugist. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  6. "Women take the center stage in 2021 international book fair". The Vanguard.
  7. "The Nigerian International Book Fair begins May 11". Pulse Nigeria. 2015-05-07. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  8. "THISDAYLIVE". THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  9. Admin (2014-05-05). "120 exhibitors for 2014 Lagos International Book Fair". SundiataPost. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  10. "Nigeria international book fair goes virtual". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-08-23. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  11. "Women take center stage in 2021 Nigeria Int'l Book Fair". Vanguard News. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  12. "NIBF 2021 | Nigeria International Book Fair". nigeriabookfair.com. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
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