The 21st edition of the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) has been scheduled to hold from May 12 – May 14 in Lagos State.
Chairman of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT), Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, who announced the date, said NIBF, endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Education Trust Fund, remains the biggest book event in West Africa.
Adedapo who is also the Executive Committee Member of International Publishers Association (IPA), explained that the book fair is put together by the Nigerian Book Fair Trust, which is the umbrella body for the major stakeholders in the Nigerian book industry.
The fair is organised in collaboration with all stakeholders in the book ecosystem, including the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA), Booksellers Association of Nigeria (BAN), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Reproduction Right Society of Nigeria (REPRONIG), National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria and UN SDG Book Club African Chapter.
According to Adedapo, the book fair seeks to improve the reading culture among Nigerians and Africans by bringing together all players including publishers, authors, illustrators, booksellers, printers, librarians, and readers among others in the book industry.
The book fair themed ‘Copyright and Sustainable Growth in the Book Ecosystem: Setting a New Agenda’ will be discussed by the industry experts at the International Conference, which is flagship of programmes for the event.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu is expected as Special Guest of Honour; Director General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Barrister John Asein as Keynote Speaker, and Chief Executive Officer of National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Veronica Anunobi, as Chairperson.
Apart from panel discussion, open word poetry and other literary presentations will form part of the side attractions during the international conference. Other programmes lined up for NIBF 2022 include are Panel Discussion by UN SDG Book Club African Chapter, Workshop by Network of Book Club and Reading Promoters in Nigeria, and Sensitization Programme by National Library of Nigeria as well as quiz and debate for primary and secondary school students.
