By Alexander Ekemenah

Like the tragedy that has come to visit many sectors of the Nigerian economy over the decades which has led to the collapse and death of many of the sectors, and left un-mourned and unsung, the Nigeria’s paper mill industry is one of the unfortunate sectors.

Over the decades, the Nigerian pulp and paper mill industry has gradually collapsed and died, with most people (within the age-bracket of 30-40 years) probably never knowing that such an industry once existed and in a vibrant state with three major thriving paper mills in the country – owned exclusively then by the Federal Government of Nigeria. These paper mills are Nigerian Paper Mill, Jebba, Niger State, Nigerian Newsprint Manufacturing Company, Oku Iboku, Cross River State and Iwopin Pulp and Paper Industry, Ogun State.

Today, these paper mills have all collapsed and died after their privatisation by the Federal Government in the mid-80s/early 90s. Nigeria subsequently became net importer of paper materials in all respect with billions of Naira being lost in foreign exchange on annual basis.

What was meant and aimed at transferring these factories to private sector investors for higher productivity and profitability became their death-knells, killers and grave diggers.

Most agonising was the fact that nobody was ever held accountable for the public mismanagement of these paper mills and whatever subsequently and tragically went wrong. Nobody, either from the public sector who ruined the factories with leadership (administrative) incompetence and corruption or from the private sector investors who bought over these factories, could be held responsible and accountable for the tragedy that has come to befall the paper mill industry.

As a result of these tragedies, some foreign firms have capitalised on the hiatus and subsequently established their paper-producing factories using modern technologies that Nigeria could have acquired both in terms of technical knowledge and practical machine tools.

The collapse and death of the paper mill industry in Nigeria are far-reaching and wide-spread in their consequences. The first direct consequence is the increase in cost of purchasing textbooks, local printing of textbooks, stationeries, toiletries and all paper-based materials that are consumed on daily basis as part of our educational system, social and private lives. This has contributed in no small measures to the lowering of the quality or standard of education in the country.

It has also cost the country a huge sum of foreign exchange expended on annual basis in importing paper-based materials from other countries over the decades. Local publishers are forced to import paper printing materials at exorbitant prices (in view of exchange rate disparities) with the final effects on local book publications and their respective high costs per unit.

It is also a source of shame that the country could hardly sustain any local production and become self-sufficient in it – not to talk of exportation – to provide jobs, livelihoods and eradication of poverty.

How did the country arrive at this sorry, pathetic and tragic pass? What has happened to us? The simulacra of this tragedy have always been witnessed at each of the international book fairs that have been held in the country over the years.  The book fairs are increasingly becoming dominated by foreign publishers, foreign firms involved in production of book materials, etc.

2025 Nigeria International Book Fair

The explanation for this tragedy was once again given and driven home during the 24^th Nigeria International Book Fair held between 7^th and 9^th May at Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

In his keynote address titled “Local Paper Production: Panacea to Affordable Book Production and Qualitative Education”, delivered at the 24th Nigeria Book Fair International Conference held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, on the 7^th May, 2025, Professor Abiodun Oluwafemi Oluwadare of Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan x-rayed the contemporary crisis rocking the Nigeria’s paper industry.

Professor Oluwadare stated that “Education, unquestionably is the bedrock of any society and it is the key to unlocking the potentials of our youth. A quote by George Washington Carver says: ‘Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom’. Therefore, if we want to grow a nation with free-thinkers, knowledgeable graduates, we must look critically into the education system and of great concern to us are the educational materials-books and more intrinsically, PAPER.”

However, the erudite scholar stated that “the road is far from smooth.”

“A heart crushing challenge is the high cost of book production. This has made it very challenging for many pupils and students alike to access quality educational materials. The results are: Poor educational outcomes, ‘sub-standard’ graduates if they don’t even drop out along the way, a cycle of poverty and inequality, a stagnant if not regressive nation”, Professor Oluwadare declared.

The university don asked very many salient questions: “What is Qualitative Education? What are the indices of Qualitative Education? What is the role of paper, or print books in Qualitative Education? What’s the use and efficiency of print books and e-books in Nigerian schools? What does the survey say? What is the current status of Nigerian education system? Will the use of print books improve the delivery of qualitative education in the country? The list of questions is endless.”

Professor Oluwadare went straight for the jugular or heart of the monster: return to effective local production of all paper-based materials given the volume of demand of paper materials in the country today.

“By investing in local paper production, we can reduce the cost of book production, making quality educational materials more accessible to students”, Professor Oluwadare advised as a matter of urgent national strategic imperative to help save the standards of education from falling and collapsing, a clear and present danger that now threaten the country with the comatose paper mill industry in the country today.

Professor Oluwadare noted that “There is no nation without education; the Federal Government of Nigeria assert that education helps to increase the number of skilled workers needed to the level of manpower and its curricula are designed in a way to instil a sense of national unity, and civic duty and to spread common social morals, ideologies and language. It is a major instrument that equips individuals with required skills, knowledge and competencies to perform both effectively and efficiently in any given society and enable them contribute their quota to the overall progress of their community and the nation thereby reducing poverty and inequality and thus empowering marginalized groups through access to qualitative education

“Qualitative education is one of the main tools to sustainable development of any nation. It aims at improving critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities which in turn results in innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

“Since the 1990s, the use of electronic books has become rampant all over the world. Several research works have compared the acceptability and use of these technologically advanced books to ‘real books called “e-books.

“Even though the students used e-books, they will prefer using traditional print books. Also, contrary to the opinions and predictions in the last four decades that the use of paper materials will slowly fade off and be replaced with computerized devices the pulp and paper industry has contributed roughly 50% to the formal forestry sectors all around the world [according to FAO, 2004]. The result of this survey and many others underscores the importance of paper making and eventually book production”.

But Nigeria has proven itself to be a land of ironies, paradoxes and contradictions. This did not escape the attention of Professor Oluwadare when he explained that “Nigeria, a land rich in resources suffers even in plenty. This is not only true in the economic sector but also in the delivery of quality education. The worst-performing industry of the many sub-sectors of the forest industry is the Paper Industry. It is no longer news yet still very disheartening that the three major paper mills established by the federal government after the nation’s independence between 1969 and 1976: Nigerian Paper Mill in Jebba, Nigerian Newsprint manufacturing Company, Oku Iboku and the Iwopin Pulp and Paper Industry are no longer in operation. More painful is the fact that not even one of them operated for up to thirty years as they all shut down completely in 1996”.

Professor Oluwadare went on to identify and itemise some of the key problems that have brought and interred the local paper mill industry to its grave

“The problem in the paper industry began with the drop in product levels and the allowance of ‘faulty’ privatization of the paper mills. Business Day (2019) reported that, “some industry players argue that the privatisation process which handed the firms to current owners was faulty… and that the investors have more interest in importation of papers rather than developing the mills to achieve the objectives of the privatisation to develop and expand the paper mills”.

“Another major problem associated with the closure of these paper mills identified (by Oluwadare, 2007) was the inadequate supply of long-fibre for pulp and paper production as the Nigerian forest consists majorly of mixed tropical hardwoods which are short-fibred. The country then became so dependent on imported long-fibred raw materials that it was difficult to implement suggested feasible solution aimed at looking inward to address the inadequate long fibre problem.

“In-depth research on species such as Pine species, Sterculia setigera, Kenaf, Sterculia oblonga and Bamboo was suggested as solution to the problem. The suggestion was not implemented; instead importation of pulp materials began.

“This importation came at a very high monetary cost. As early as the 1980s, the three pulp mills required approximately US $85 million to import 85,000 tons of long fibre pulp. Up until now, the country still depends on imported materials for writing, duplicating, printing, Kraft papers including newsprints to mention few grades.”

Professor Oluwadare holistically looks at the present condition and states that “Like a leaf blown about by the wind, Nigeria’s book production industry is at the mercy of external factors when it comes to paper availability and cost of procurement. The local book producers, school owners and educators have little or no control over the cost and availability of paper, an essential resource as the whims of global markets, exchange rates and trade policies are the dictators of the fate of our books.

“For instance, changes in exchange rates can increase the cost of importing paper, while trade policies and tariffs can restrict paper imports. Paper availability can also be limited and the prices driven up as a result of supply chain disruptions like natural disasters and pandemics.

“All of these fluctuations make it difficult for book producers in the country to predict cost and plan production. This in turn took its toll on distribution of book and ultimately affecting the quality of education as many parents cannot afford the high cost of textbooks.”

Professor Oluwadare admitted that local paper production process is “a long, time, money and effort-demanding process.

“Yet, in the long run producing our own paper locally will yield manifold success. It will not only yield revenue to the stakeholders, but also result in the availability of affordable educational materials thereby improving qualitative education in Nigeria.

“It is time to start Nigeria’s revolution in the production of Low-Price Edition (LPE) textbooks as it were in the early 1980s when bookshops in Nigeria were stocked with LPE books from India.

“Nixin paper mill needs encouragement while the management of the industry should also reach out to experts to improve quality and adequate supply committed to local production of paper.”

Professor Oluwadare classified paper into many grades: “Let it be known that there are several grades of paper. It is when these grades are produced locally to meet the need of the people that it could be said “Nigeria is committed to local production of paper.”

• Numerous lignocellulosic, non-lignocellulosic and secondary fibres of native and exotic raw materials for pulp and paper production have been discovered and grown successfully in Nigeria.
• Standard research has been carried out on the anatomical and chemical properties of these species and they have been considered suitable for papermaking.
• Flourishing forestry plantations must be established to improve wood supply to the pulp and paper mills to avert severe paper crisis more than what is being experienced now.

The Imperative of Research

Professor Oluwadare said: “In the aspect of research for development, there is need to ask ourselves that “Is it true that innovation can be possible without research”?

“The answer is No. Research is the bedrock of innovation and technological advancement, and without it, we are merely scratching the surface of our potential.

“Even with the abundance of raw materials for paper production, research is crucial to unlock sustainable solutions in production optimisation and discovery and development of new products.

“We need research to optimize production process, ensure continuous supply, develop efficient equipment and propagate raw materials.

“Without research our efforts will be hindered by inefficiencies, wastes and stagnation.

“However, successful and continuous research requires adequate funding, training of personnel and provision of research equipment among other things.

“It should be established and emphatically pronounced that a properly funded and equipped pulp and paper research institute be established with all necessary manpower and modern equipment.

Possible Solutions

“Interestingly, according to Nairametrics (2025), the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, recently inaugurated an Inter-ministerial Committee on Research and Innovation, charging them to build Nigeria into an innovation-driven, trillion-dollar economy within 10 years.

“To achieve this, the pulp and paper sector alongside its allies can make this to happen in Nigeria. Among other duties, the research and development arm of the proposed institute will ensure that the nation’s dependence on importation is broken, ensuring manufacturing excellence while building proudly Nigerian supply chains.

“The Government, Banking sector, Private investors should look into funding the research centres while proper and regular monitoring and evaluation be carried out by experts in the field.

“As the Federal Government is establishing more public universities, now is the time the Federal Government of Nigeria establish a Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Nigeria (PUPARIN) without further delay and necessary policy to make this happen should be enacted as soon as possible.

“It is in the news that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the ban on importation of foreign goods, especially those that can be produced locally.

“Does paper falls within that category of goods? The time has come for all stakeholders to join hands together in realisation of this noble objective for the future of our great country Nigeria.

The Future

Professor Oluwadare stated that the Pulp and paper sector is “a very lucrative sector if the inherent potentials are properly harnessed. It could bring in higher revenue compared to crude oil which seems to have stolen the show since its discovery.

“A barrel of Brent crude oil weighs approximately 139 kg and a metric tonne of paper is 1000 kg. Thus, price of barrel of crude oil on the average as at 29 April, 2025 is $66.52 while pulp is put at $800.00 (though specific grades like NBSK can fetch higher price). By simple calculation: 1 kg of crude oil is $0.48 while 1 kg of paper is $0.80.

“Giving enabling environment for investors to come in the pulp and paper mills in Nigeria will come back to life again and contribute substantially to the nation’s economic growth, job creation, greening initiative through massive pulpwood establishment thus thereby contributing to global carbon storage in climate change mitigation.

“A properly functional Nigerian pulp and paper industry will help to reduce the cost of book production and result in availability of more affordable educational materials for the generation to come thereby improving the quality of education and providing several other benefits.

• Educational Benefits: Local Paper Production (LPP) will not only result in affordable book production but also delivery of qualitative education as increased access to educational materials will be encouraged.
• Economic Benefits: LPP will help in creation of jobs, import substitution, revenue generation and ultimately economic growth.
• Environmental Benefits: LPP will encourage sustainable forest practices and reduce carbon footprints.
• Social Benefits: Local authors, publishers and the local communities will receive support through LPP and even enjoy steady electricity.
• Industrial Benefits: The printing and publishing industry will receive support resulting in a more diversified economy.
• Innovative Benefits: Research and development opportunities will abound in paper technology and manufacturing process.

A Call to Action Not to Talk

1. There must be a national policy/road map for the pulp and paper sector.
2. There must be an enabling socio-economic environment for investors to thrive (tax waiver/holiday, reduced import duties on machine and equipment and others)

• The establishment of Pulp and Paper Research Centre in Nigeria is highly imperative to having a sustainable pulp and paper industry.

1. Funding mechanism for pulp and paper research in Nigeria such as special tariff on paper materials coming in should be considered.
2. Development of local market and utilization of products from indigenous mills. The flooding of Nigerian markets with foreign paper and paper products should be discouraged.
3. Development of small-scale pulp mills and utilization of local raw materials

• Recycling for a resource efficiency (policy to support)
• Local participation of raw materials provider through enhanced land provision.

1. Establish active national wood and biomass mobilisation policies which in turn will create jobs for many jobs.
2. Waste policy: its management, utilization and disposal as it relates to climate change
3. Climate change and renewable energy policy

• Specific sectoral indicators should be set by the sector (6Ps).
• Certification of raw materials towards sustainable supply in the NPPI

“Local paper production is the solution, the key to affordable book production and qualitative education in Nigeria.

“With our wholehearted cooperation, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable education system that benefits all Nigerians.

“Let us seize this opportunity to invest in our future and ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality educational materials. Together, we can build our educational system and a brighter future for our nation.

“Let us join hands to craft a future where our children learn from books made from paper produced in Nigeria, by Nigerians and for Nigerians; a future where our community thrives on the strength of our local industries; a future where our creativity and innovation know no bounds.

“The production of Nigerian paper is not just an industry; it’s a movement, a revolution. It’s a movement towards self-reliance, towards progress and towards a brighter future for all Nigerians. Let us be part of this movement, let us make it happen”, Professor Oluwadare concluded.