A communications professional, Joseph Ollor Obari, has called for renewed investment in Nigeria’s publishing industry, warning that declining reading culture and weak book distribution networks pose serious threats to literary development and intellectual growth.
Obari made the call on Tuesday while reviewing White Guava and War, the autobiography of Nigerian academic, Prof. Ashiedu Ogboli, at its public presentation held at the National Universities Commission headquarters in Abuja.
The event also featured the presentation of another work by the author, Readings in Art, Design and Culture.
Published in 2026 by Ahmadu Bello University Press Ltd., White Guava and War chronicles Ogboli’s life journey while exploring themes of education, resilience, conflict, personal growth and nation-building.
Speaking at the event, Obari lamented the decline of Nigeria’s once-thriving publishing industry, attributing the setback partly to the economic disruptions that followed the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programme during the military administration of former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
“For quite some time, all was not well in the world of publishing in Nigeria. We lost not only publishing houses but also the structures that supported authorship and provided a dependable economic backbone for the intellectual property industry,” he said.
According to him, the collapse of many established publishing firms forced several writers into self-publishing, often without access to professional editing and effective distribution channels.
“A writer is often not the best editor of his own work. Every author benefits from independent professional editors who can identify weaknesses, improve clarity and strengthen the overall quality of a manuscript,” Obari said.
He identified poor book distribution and marketing as major challenges confronting authors in Nigeria and other developing countries.
“Without the networks and resources of established publishing houses, authors are frequently left to carry the burden of bringing their books to readers. Even outstanding literary works can struggle to find their audience,” he added.
While acknowledging signs of gradual recovery in the publishing industry, Obari urged governments, private investors, educational institutions and cultural organisations to strengthen support for the sector.
“There should be a collective effort to restore publishing to the place it deserves in society. Books remain among humanity’s most powerful tools for developing minds, preserving knowledge and building nations,” he said.
The communications expert also expressed concern over the impact of digital culture on reading habits, saying shortened attention spans and growing dependence on abbreviations and informal language were discouraging sustained engagement with books.
Reviewing White Guava and War, Obari described the autobiography as an intellectually stimulating work that blends humour, vivid storytelling and thoughtful reflections on personal and national development.
“White Guava and War is a reflective autobiographical work that masterfully weaves personal experiences around serious themes. It is at times humorous, at other times provocatively descriptive, and consistently intellectually engaging,” he said.
He recommended the book to students, teachers, researchers and lovers of literature, describing it as a significant contribution to Nigeria’s growing body of autobiographical and literary works.
The event was convened by Prof. Kabiru Bala and attracted academics, literary enthusiasts, students and other stakeholders in the education sector.
