The Group News Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, Sunday Isuwa, PhD, has authored a new book examining the survival and future of Nigeria’s newspaper industry amid the rapid growth of digital journalism.
The book, titled Digital Shift in Nigeria’s Newspaper Industry, is scheduled for launch on October 29, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the National Open University of Nigeria headquarters, behind the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
The event will commence at 10am.
According to Isuwa, the publication examines how technological advancement is reshaping newsroom operations, journalism practice, business models and audience engagement in Nigeria.
The book also examines how traditional newspapers are adapting to the growing shift from print to digital platforms and the changing ways Nigerians consume news.
The President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, Prof Rotimi Olatunji of Lagos State University, wrote the foreword, while the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Uduma Oji Uduma, is expected to review the book.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, and the chairman of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited will chair the occasion.
In his assessment, Professor Umaru Pate of the Faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano, described the publication as a timely examination of the changes taking place in Nigeria’s newspaper industry.
Pate said the book focuses on newsroom adaptation, multimedia reporting, audience analytics, emerging revenue strategies, misinformation and changing audience behaviour.
“This book delves into newsroom adaptation, multimedia reporting, audience analytics, innovative revenue strategies, and the challenges presented by misinformation and shifting audience habits,” he said.
He noted that the book draws on contemporary evidence and practical examples to examine the opportunities and challenges created by digital transformation.
Pate described the publication as essential reading for journalists, media scholars, policymakers and students seeking to understand the changing landscape of journalism in Nigeria.
Also commenting on the book, Professor Farooq Kperogi of Kennesaw State University, United States, said it provides an account of how Nigerian newspapers are responding to the demands of the digital era.
Kperogi said Isuwa combines empirical research with professional experience to examine how legacy newsrooms are changing their editorial routines, business models and audience strategies as they move from print to digital platforms.
He said the publication connects Nigeria’s media transformation with global developments while examining the country’s political environment, infrastructural challenges and media culture.
According to Kperogi, the book fills an important gap in African media scholarship by examining how technological change is reshaping the ethical, economic and professional foundations of journalism.
“It is essential reading for journalists, media managers, policymakers and students who want a concise but substantive guide to the forces that are transforming Nigerian news ecology,” he added.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ali M Ali, described the publication as a comprehensive account of the transformation of the Nigerian press.
Ali said the book traces the history of Nigerian newspapers from their colonial origins to the changes brought about by the digital revolution.
According to him, the publication examines how newsrooms have adapted to technological advancement, restructured their business models and diversified revenue streams as audiences increasingly consume news through mobile devices.
“It considers the ethical and professional challenges faced by journalists today, highlighting the delicate balance between immediacy and accuracy, as well as the complexities of freedom of expression under regulatory pressures,” Ali said.
He added that the book places Nigeria’s media transformation within a global context through comparative analysis and case studies highlighting the resilience and innovation of selected newspapers.
Ali said the publication also looks ahead to the future of newspaper publishing in a digital Nigeria and offers recommendations for editors, journalists, policymakers and other stakeholders.
He described the book as a useful resource for professionals, academics and others interested in the evolution of journalism and the search for a sustainable and ethically grounded future for the industry.
Ali urged media professionals, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to attend the launch, saying the event would provide an opportunity to celebrate the publication and discuss the future of journalism in Nigeria.
The launch is expected to attract leading figures from the media and academic communities, with Prof Uduma Oji Uduma of NOUN scheduled to review the book.
