Nigeria imports N720b printing papers yearly

Printing papers
By Shakirah Adunola

Nigeria is currently importing over two million metric tons of papers valued at N720 billion yearly. This has triggered concerns on the need to develop the local print and graphics industry for improved contribution to the economy.

Printing and graphics stakeholders under the aegis of Change Group have therefore urged the Federal Government to develop the print and graphics industry in Nigeria through collaboration with stakeholders in its quest to diversify the economy from oil.

The group lamented that the country is loosing billions of naira to capital flight from importation of paper, while it also loses when finished printed products that could easily be done locally such as educational books, security documents, election materials, packaging materials and others are done abroad.
The Chairman, Change Group Publicity and Media Committee, Joju Adekanbi, noted that the non- availability of a national policy on printing has scared away investors from the sector.
This, according to him, has resulted to job losses, unemployment and a hemorrhaging industry.
Adekanbi said the group is therefore planning the first Nigeria National Printers Conference (ngprint) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment to address these anomalies.
According to him, the conference will hold on Tuesday 27th of November 2018 at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.
He said the conference would showcase the potential of the printing industry particularly in employment generation and contribution to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP) and the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) of the Federal Government.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is expected to give a keynote address on government plan for the printing industry in Nigeria.