Nigeria Int’l Book Fair Returns To Mainland, Holds This May

Yinka Olatunbosun

The Nigerian Book Fair Trust, (NBFT), the organiser of the annual Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) has announced that this year’s 22nd NIBF will take place at Yard 158 Event 

Arena, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja from 10 to 13 May.

The 4-day programme with the theme, “The Role of a Functional National Book Policy in the African Book Ecosystem” will feature book sales/exhibitions, schools and children competitions, and  conferences.

Michael Oluwatuyi, Chairman of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT) while briefing journalists explained reasons the book fair will not be held in Island like the previous edition. He said “the simple reason is that NBFT is an organization that listens to, and considers the opinions and advice of those who participate in its events. There were complaints about the high participation cost when the book fair was moved to Lagos Island. 

“A request was made for an increase in the number of days for the book fair from 3 to at least 4 days. These and some other reasons prompted us to move the venue of the book fair back to the Lagos Mainland.”

Speaking further on this year’s activities, he noted that the body has included the tertiary education summit in their lined up programmes to address salient issues affecting tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the summit would have major stakeholders in the industry as discussants.

“Tertiary education summit is a new programme of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust.  We all know the negative impact of the incessant industrial imbroglio between the government and tertiary institutions’ staff on the present and future of Nigerian students. The search for a lasting solution to this perennial problem and other challenges of tertiary education in Nigeria brought the inclusion of the Tertiary education summit to the list of programmes for the annual Nigeria International Book Fair.

“Experts from across the tiers of tertiary education in Nigeria have been invited to discuss this year’s chosen theme for the Summit. The topic of the summit is Fresh Ideas for Overhauling Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Complex,” he stated. 

He also noted that the international conference and opening ceremony for the 22nd NIBF will kick off on Wednesday, May 10th.

Among the dignitaries expected to attend the opening ceremony are the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Professor Ismail Junaidu,  Dr. John Asein, Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC and Professor Olasupo Jegede, former Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. 

Stakeholders in the educational sector such as the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi and the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, special guest of honour are expected at the conference. 

The Chief host of the event is the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu;  the National Librarian/CEO of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi and the Honourable Commissioner for Education in Lagos State. Mrs Folashade Adefisayo.

Oluwatuyi revealed that visitors are also expected from Canada, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Ghana and other African countries. 

Also speaking at the briefing, Mrs.Yomi Ogunlari, Pioneer Chairman NBFT also noted that this year’s book fair would be more educational focus and also all-inclusive expositions for all participants.

“We are not going to have the bouncing castle again because we have decided this is a book fair let’s stick to the books, it is not time for them to come and play. We have tried to accommodate the whole strata,” she said.