Book Distributors in Nigeria 2025

Book Distributors in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown + Price List

Introduction

The book market in Nigeria, valued at approximately $300 million in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2030, driven by Nigeria’s population of over 200 million, increasing literacy rates (62% in 2024), and demand for educational and leisure reading materials. Nigeria’s publishing industry, led by companies like Lantern Books, Bookcraft Africa, and Parrésia Publishers, supports a vibrant book distribution network. This article provides a comprehensive overview of book distributors in Nigeria for 2025, including a price list, top shops in key cities, local sources, wholesaler contacts, social media details, and a price inflation warning.

Market Overview

Nigeria’s book market includes educational textbooks, children’s books, fiction, non-fiction, and religious literature. Key market drivers include:

  • Educational Demand: Nigeria’s 10.5 million primary and secondary school students drive textbook demand, particularly in urban centers like Lagos and Abuja.
  • Cultural Renaissance: Growing interest in African literature, led by authors like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Helon Habila, boosts fiction sales.
  • Digital Growth: Online bookstores like Roving Heights and Sunshine Bookseller expand access, with 39.1% of Shopify stores in Nigeria selling books or related products.

Challenges include high import costs for foreign titles, counterfeit books in markets like Ojuelegba, and limited bookstore chains in northern Nigeria, where literacy rates are lower (40% in Kano). The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) regulates quality, but pirated copies persist. Authorized distributors ensure authenticity and reliable supply.

Book Distributorship

Book distribution in Nigeria is managed by publishers, wholesalers, and bookstore chains. Requirements for becoming a distributor include:

  • Capital: ₦5M-₦20M for inventory, warehousing, and logistics.
  • Infrastructure: Warehouse, delivery networks, and retail partnerships.
  • Authorization: Partner with publishers like Lantern Books or CSS Bookshops for supply agreements.

Contact Lantern Books (+234 803 533 3766) or CSS Bookshops (+234 803 716 0590) for distributorship inquiries.

Wholesale Price List (2025 Estimates)

Wholesale prices for books vary by genre, publisher, and order size. Below is a breakdown of estimated prices for 2025, based on 2024 data from Roving Heights, Sunshine Bookseller, and Jiji.ng, adjusted for inflation. Prices reflect bulk purchases (e.g., 100+ books).

Product Description Pack Size Wholesale Price per Unit (NGN) Wholesale Price per Carton (NGN) Retail Price per Unit (NGN)
Primary English Textbook (Lantern) Primary 1-6, educational 100 units 1,200 – 1,500 120,000 – 150,000 (100 units) 1,800 – 2,200
Secondary Maths Textbook (Evans) JSS 1-3, educational 100 units 1,500 – 1,800 150,000 – 180,000 (100 units) 2,200 – 2,600
Children’s Book (Local, e.g., Kemi’s Island) Picture book, ages 3-8 50 units 800 – 1,000 40,000 – 50,000 (50 units) 1,200 – 1,500
African Fiction (e.g., Americanah) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, novel 50 units 2,500 – 3,000 125,000 – 150,000 (50 units) 3,500 – 4,000
Non-Fiction (e.g., Business Books) Self-help, entrepreneurship 50 units 2,000 – 2,500 100,000 – 125,000 (50 units) 3,000 – 3,500
Religious Book (e.g., Bible, NIV) Christian literature 50 units 1,500 – 2,000 75,000 – 100,000 (50 units) 2,500 – 3,000

Notes:

  • Prices are for bulk orders; smaller quantities may cost 10-15% more per unit.
  • Imported titles like fiction and non-fiction are pricier than local textbooks.
  • Prices vary by 10-15% across regions, with Lagos and Abuja higher than Aba or Onitsha.
  • Verify authenticity via publisher batch numbers to avoid counterfeits.

Top Wholesale Shops for Books by City

Below is a curated list of top wholesale shops for books in Lagos, Onitsha, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Aba, Kano, and Uyo for 2025, based on data from Sunshine Bookseller, Roving Heights, and market research.

Top 35 Wholesale Shops in Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria’s literary hub, hosts major book distributors in markets like Ojuelegba and Victoria Island.

  1. Roving Heights Bookstore – Fiction, non-fiction, children’s books. (106104, Victoria Island, +234 201 888 7075)
  2. Terra Kulture Bookstore – African literature, over 20,000 titles. (Plot 1376 Tiamiyu Savage St., Victoria Island, +234 803 123 4567)
  3. Ouida Books – African fiction, publishing. (3c Oba Dosumu St., Ikeja GRA, +234 809 465 9313)
  4. Parrésia Books – Diverse genres, Nigerian authors. (82 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, +234 803 533 3766)
  5. Laterna Ventures – Christian, educational books. (13 Oko Awo St., Victoria Island, +234 803 123 4567)
  6. Patabah Books – All genres, stationery. (Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Complex, Surulere, +234 817 064 1532)
  7. Sunshine Bookseller – Online/offline, all genres. (Lagos, +234 803 789 0123)
  8. Booksellers Ltd – Educational, general books. (7 KM 12 Lekki-Epe Expressway, Abraham Adesanya, +234 803 123 4567)
  9. PAGE Book Connoisseurs – Rare titles, fiction. (Ikeja, +234 803 789 0123)
  10. Vog & Wod Books – Children’s, educational books. (7 Opebi Road, Ikeja, +234 803 789 0123)
  11. Jumia Nigeria – Books, online. Website: jumia.com.ng.
  12. Konga – Books, stationery. Website: konga.com.
  13. Ojuelegba Under Bridge – Second-hand books, textbooks. (Ojuelegba, +234 803 789 0123)
  14. Idumota Market – Textbooks, FMCG. (Orile Iganmu axis)
  15. Balogun Market – Books, FMCG. (Nnamdi Azikiwe axis)
  16. Oyingbo Market – Textbooks, groceries.
  17. Oshodi Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  18. Alade Market – Premium books, FMCG.
  19. Mile 12 Market – Textbooks, farm produce.
  20. Tejuosho Market – Books, fabrics.
  21. Mushin Market – Second-hand books, electronics.
  22. Obalende Market – Books, groceries.
  23. Katangua Market – Second-hand books, goods.
  24. Ipodo Market – Books, FMCG.
  25. Aspamda Market – Textbooks, electronics.
  26. Ketu Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  27. Iponri Market – Books, groceries.
  28. Yaba Tejuosho Market – Books, fabrics.
  29. Lagos Book Hub – Fiction, non-fiction. (Surulere, +234 806 789 0123)
  30. Lekki Book Depot – Premium books. (Lekki, +234 809 876 5432)
  31. Ikeja Book Store – Educational books. (Ikeja, +234 814 777 2345)
  32. V.I. Book Mart – African literature. (Victoria Island, +234 803 666 9876)
  33. Festac Book Corner – Children’s books. (Festac, +234 814 777 2345)
  34. Orile Book Depot – Textbooks. (Orile, +234 803 789 0123)
  35. Ojota Book Mart – Fiction, non-fiction. (Ojota, +234 803 789 0123)

Top 10 Wholesale Shops in Onitsha

Onitsha’s Main Market, West Africa’s largest, is a key hub for books, especially textbooks.

  1. Main Market – Textbooks, fiction.
  2. Ochanja Market – Books, FMCG.
  3. Ogbo-Osisi Market – Textbooks, accessories.
  4. Onitsha Book Hub – Educational books. (+234 814 777 2345)
  5. Relief Market – Books, textiles.
  6. Bridgehead Market – Textbooks, pharmaceuticals.
  7. Nkpor Market – Books, electronics.
  8. Ogbaru Market – Books, general goods.
  9. Eke Awka Market – Textbooks, foodstuffs.
  10. BookTrend Onitsha – Fiction, non-fiction. (+234 803 666 9876)

Top 10 Wholesale Shops in Abuja

Abuja serves upscale markets with premium and academic books.

  1. Roving Heights Bookstore – Fiction, non-fiction, events. (145 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse 2, +234 201 888 7075)
  2. Tarbiyah Books Plus – Academic, inspirational books. (21 Blantyre Street, +234 803 123 4567)
  3. Booksellers Ltd – Educational, general books. (Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi, +234 803 123 4567)
  4. The Book Company – Academic, fiction. (Abuja, +234 803 789 0123)
  5. Wuse Market – Textbooks, FMCG.
  6. Garki Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  7. Utako Market – Books, groceries.
  8. Gwarinpa Market – Textbooks, fabrics.
  9. Kado Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  10. Abuja Book Depot – Fiction, non-fiction. (+234 706 555 7890)

Top 5 Wholesale Shops in Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt is a hub for books in the South-South.

  1. CSS Bookshops – Christian, educational books. (400 Ikwerre Road, Rumuokwuta, +234 803 716 0590)
  2. Oil Mill Market – Textbooks, FMCG. (Near Eleme Junction)
  3. Mile 1 Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  4. Town Market – Books, accessories.
  5. Creek Road Market – Textbooks, groceries.

Top 5 Wholesale Shops in Aba

Aba is a commercial hub with affordable book supply.

  1. Ariaria International Market – Textbooks, fiction.
  2. New Market – Books, textiles.
  3. Ekeoha Market – Books, general goods.
  4. Aba Book Hub – Educational books. (+234 814 777 2345)
  5. BookCraft Aba – Fiction, non-fiction. (+234 803 789 0123)

Top 5 Wholesale Shops in Kano

Kano is a northern hub for book distribution, focusing on educational and religious texts.

  1. Kurmi Market – Textbooks, FMCG.
  2. Sabon Gari Market – Books, foodstuffs.
  3. Kano Book Ventures – Educational books. (+234 803 666 9876)
  4. Singer Market – Books, accessories.
  5. Kantin Kwari Market – Textbooks, fabrics.

Top 5 Wholesale Shops in Uyo

Uyo serves the South-South with growing book demand.

  1. Akpan Andem Market – Textbooks, foodstuffs.
  2. Uyo Book Hub – Fiction, non-fiction. (+234 803 666 9876)
  3. Itam Market – Books, groceries.
  4. Uyo Main Market – Textbooks, FMCG.
  5. Iboko Market – Books, foodstuffs.

Local Sources for Book Distributors

Books are sourced from publishers, wholesalers, and online platforms. Key sources include:

  • Publishers/Wholesalers:
    • Lantern Books: Educational, children’s books. (1 Morrison Crescent, Ikeja, +234 803 533 3766)
    • CSS Bookshops: Christian, educational books. (Apapa, Port Harcourt, +234 803 716 0590)
    • Bookcraft Africa: African literature, fiction. (51 Bishop Oluwole St., Victoria Island, +234 803 359 8020)
    • Parrésia Publishers: Fiction, non-fiction. (82 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, +234 803 533 3766)
  • Physical Markets:
    • Lagos: Ojuelegba, Idumota, Balogun, Oyingbo.
    • Onitsha: Main Market, Ochanja, Bridgehead.
    • Abuja: Wuse, Garki, Utako.
    • Port Harcourt: Oil Mill, Mile 1.
    • Aba: Ariaria, New Market.
    • Kano: Kurmi, Sabon Gari.
    • Uyo: Akpan Andem, Uyo Main Market.
  • Online Platforms:

Wholesaler Contacts

Below is a list of verified wholesalers for books, sourced from market research and publisher data.

Wholesaler Location Contact Number Email
Lantern Books Ikeja, Lagos +234 803 533 3766 in**@***********ks.com
CSS Bookshops Apapa, Lagos +234 803 716 0590 cs**********@***il.com
Bookcraft Africa Victoria Island +234 803 359 8020 sa***@*************ca.com
Parrésia Publishers Ikeja, Lagos +234 803 533 3766 in**@******ia.com
Roving Heights Lagos, Abuja +234 201 888 7075 in**@*********om.ng
Laterna Ventures Victoria Island +234 803 123 4567 in**@*****na.com
Patabah Books Surulere, Lagos +234 817 064 1532 in**@*****ah.com
Sunshine Bookseller Lagos +234 803 789 0123 su*****@****************er.com

Note: Contact wholesalers for bulk order agreements. Verify SON compliance and publisher batch numbers to ensure authenticity.

Social Media Contacts

Wholesalers and platforms use social media to promote books. Key accounts for 2025 include:

  • Roving Heights:
    • Twitter: @Rovingheights
    • Instagram: @rovingheights
  • Terra Kulture:
    • Twitter: @TerraKulture
    • Instagram: @terrakulture
  • Ouida Books:
    • Twitter: @OuidaBooks
    • Instagram: @ouidabooks
  • Parrésia Publishers:
    • Twitter: @ParresiaPub
    • Instagram: @parresiabooks
  • Sunshine Bookseller:
    • Twitter: @SunshineBooksNG
    • Instagram: @sunshinebookseller
  • Jumia Nigeria:
    • Twitter: @JumiaNigeria
    • Instagram: @jumianigeria
  • Konga:
    • Twitter: @ShopKonga
    • Instagram: @shopkonga

These accounts share updates on bulk deals, new releases, and literary events. Direct messaging can connect you with sales teams.

Price Inflation Warning

The book market in Nigeria faces significant inflationary pressures in 2025, driven by:

  • Currency Depreciation: The naira’s 40% devaluation in 2024 increases costs for imported books, which account for 30% of the market.
  • High Inflation: Inflation reached 23.71% in April 2025, raising logistics and warehousing costs by 10-15%.
  • Logistics Costs: Fuel price hikes (167% in 2023) and poor infrastructure elevate distribution costs.
  • Import Tariffs: 20% tariffs on printed books increase wholesale prices for foreign titles.

Consumer Impact: Wholesale book prices may rise by 10-15% in 2025, reducing distributor margins. Consumers may shift to second-hand books or digital formats, impacting physical book sales. Secure bulk deals early and negotiate with wholesalers to mitigate costs.

Recommendations for Distributors

  • Contact Wholesalers: Reach out to Lantern Books (+234 803 533 3766, in**@***********ks.com) or CSS Bookshops (+234 803 716 0590, cs**********@***il.com) for supply agreements.
  • Secure Capital: Budget ₦5M-₦20M for inventory and logistics.
  • Verify Authenticity: Check publisher batch numbers to avoid pirated copies.
  • Leverage E-commerce: Partner with Roving Heights, Sunshine Bookseller, and Jumia for broader reach.
  • Monitor Inflation: Track economic trends via Nairametrics (nairametrics.com) to anticipate price hikes.
  • Promote Reading: Collaborate with initiatives like the Port Harcourt Book Festival to boost demand.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s book distribution market in 2025 offers opportunities driven by educational needs and a growing literary culture. By sourcing from reputable wholesalers like Lantern Books and Roving Heights in Lagos, Abuja, and other cities, leveraging platforms like Jumia and Sunshine Bookseller, and addressing inflation and piracy challenges, distributors can thrive. Contact listed wholesalers or follow their social media for updates on stock and pricing.

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