With Nigeria’s publishing market valued at approximately $200 million annually, and disability affecting an estimated 25 million Nigerians, accessible publishing represents a significant growth opportunity.
Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers has launched an inclusive literacy project providing Braille storybooks and digital audiobooks to 60 visually impaired pupils across four special needs schools in Oyo State. This initiative represents a significant step forward for accessible publishing in Africa’s most populous nation.
The project, unveiled in Ibadan, distributes five carefully selected storybooks designed to inspire imagination and build confidence among young readers.
As Alhaji Lukman Dauda, Managing Director and President of the Nigerian Publishers Association, explains: “Our goal is to give pupils with visual impairment equal access to education and to strengthen the reading culture among them.”
Market opportunity in accessibility
This initiative arrives as the global publishing industry increasingly recognises accessibility as both a moral imperative and commercial opportunity. The World Blind Union estimates that only 5-7% of published works are ever made available in accessible formats worldwide, representing a significant untapped market.
The Marrakesh Treaty, ratified by Nigeria in 2017, facilitates cross-border sharing of accessible content, potentially expanding reach for publishers investing in inclusive formats.
Evans Brothers’ project demonstrates how African publishers can leverage this framework while addressing local educational needs.
Technology meets tradition
The publisher’s dual-format approach – combining traditional Braille with digital audiobooks – reflects evolving best practices in accessible publishing. While Braille remains essential for literacy development, audiobooks offer enhanced navigation features and broader distribution possibilities through mobile technology.
Industry data suggests that accessible publishing, when integrated from the outset, adds minimal production costs while opening new revenue streams.
Government collaboration model
The project has secured backing from Oyo State’s education authorities, who currently provide free education, textbook brailling services, and specialised equipment for learners with disabilities. This public-private partnership model could be replicated across Nigeria’s 36 states, representing substantial scaling potential.
Barrister Ayodele Adekanbi, Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for People Living with Disabilities, praised the initiative as setting “a pace that others can follow,” highlighting its awareness-raising value beyond direct educational impact.
The View From The Beach
For publishing professionals, Evans Brothers’ initiative illustrates how accessibility investments can enhance corporate reputation while building future readership. The company’s position as NPA president lends industry credibility to inclusive publishing practices.
With Nigeria’s publishing market valued at approximately $200 million annually, and disability affecting an estimated 25 million Nigerians, accessible publishing represents a significant growth opportunity.
Early movers like Evans Brothers are positioning themselves to capture this emerging market while fulfilling social responsibility objectives.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
