Lukman Dauda Elected President of Nigerian Publishers Association

In a keenly contested election, Lukman Dauda, Managing Director of Evans Publishers Ltd, has been elected as the new President of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA). The election took place during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ikeja, Lagos.

Dauda defeated Otunba Sunday Obiyinka, Chairman of Extension Publishers, in an election that was deemed free and fair by the members.

In addition to Dauda’s election, four other principal officers were also elected to various executive positions. They include:

• Vice President: Seinde Ogunniyi, Managing Director of Spectrum Books Ltd
• Deputy President (North): Isiaq Ajibola, former MD of Daily Trust and Chairman of Hapicom Publishers
• Deputy President (East): Jesse Odu, Chairman of Alliance Publications Ltd
• Deputy President (West): Olakunle Sogbehin, Chairman of Quantum Educational Books

In his acceptance speech, Dauda thanked the members for the smooth conduct of the election and called for cooperation to take the association to greater heights. He also expressed gratitude to Otunba Obiyinka for his sportsmanship.

With an all-male leadership team at the helm, comprising a President and vice presidents from different geographical zones, the absence of women’s voices in decision-making positions is glaring. This highlights the need for more strategic approaches women who contest need to adapt to enable their emergence in key positions, beyond just organizating AGMs and elections.

The AGM also featured a keynote address by Dr. John Asein, Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), who spoke on the role of artificial intelligence in content creation, delivery, and copyright. Fellowship awards were also presented to past presidents and distinguished members of the Nigeria Institute of Publishing.