Book, Technology and Infrastructural Development: What the Future Holds for the Book Industry in Nigeria

Abstract

Book as a medium of expression has experienced change from the days of Gutenberg, but never has it been so influenced by the new technologies which have spared no other sector. The general infrastructural development in Nigeria in relation to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) is bedeviled by issues ranging from Government’s ineptitude to handling the energy sector and consequent costs of running businesses in Nigeria. Coupled with these, are high government taxes, high cost of equipments and obvious absence of general maintenance culture. Greatly affected are the services of writers, publishers, booksellers and libraries. The problems are not insurmountable, while governments are called upon to play their roles, the paper laid more emphasis on what key players in the industry should know and do in order to keep afloat in the future. The paper examines some of the recent technological developments as it relates to the industry. Of importance is the pace by which bandwidths are getting bigger and cheaper; Smartphones are becoming common place; and Social Media is becoming very popular and accessible by more elites. Again, individuals are becoming more and more equipped with free tools to self-publish. Recommendations are laid out in the paper on what must be done to remain relevant in this season of ICT revolution. The impact is already felt in developed countries. While in Nigeria, key players in the industry must learn to embrace ICT in developing the book industry.