The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), through its Printing, Publishing and Allied Group (PPA), has proposed solutions with a call on all stakeholders, particularly the Government to implement supportive policies, reduce import duties, strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection, and enforce local content (which is Nigerian First Economic Policy) to tackle burgeoning issues in Nigeria’s Printing Industry like soaring costs, outdated technology, and reliance on foreign printing hence identify ways to reinforce and support local production to boost the entire printing value chain.
In its Call to Action after a crucial seminar with the theme: Nigeria’s Printing Industry: Unlocking Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges set, in part, to unite printers, policymakers, financiers, and academics, PPA Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Okonkwo (who doubles as the MD/CEO of Superflux International LTD) noted that the sector must be repositioned as a driver of national growth rather than being limited by high operational costs. Other surging issues, according to Mr. Okonkwo, include: rising costs for raw materials (especially paper), imported machinery, and freight, which leads to jobs being outsourced abroad, thus causing revenue and job loss locally. Other problems are aging equipment and the collapse of local paper mills, which hinder the industry’s potential, and a lack of harmonized regulations and prohibitive import duties (20-30% on semi-finished paper), which disincentivize local investment. 
He thereafter presented the body’s proposal, which includes, among others, policy reforms in terms of implementation of supportive policies, reduction of import duties, enforcement of local content, and strengthening IP protection. Others are reviving the Paper Industry by supporting local production of raw materials (with the use of locally available kenaf, bamboo) and reviving dormant paper mills like NIXIN. Again, strengthening local capacity, driving innovation through the development of human capital, and exploring new financing models to ensure the economic sustainability of stakeholders were also proposed.
Sponsored by Marvelous Mike Press, KAS Prints, Superflux International, and NIXIN Paper Mills, the pivotal engagement which took place on November 5, 2025, at Henry Fajemirokun Hall, Commerce House, Victoria Island, Lagos was also an opportunity to connect with industry peers, exchange ideas, and contribute to the policies and practices that define the future of printing in Nigeria.
© picture courtesy – Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry
