Publishing a book in Nigeria is not as hard or expensive as many people claim. Some say you need millions of naira. Others warn about scams and poor-quality services. But what if publishing your first book in Nigeria costs less than you think? The fact is, you need between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 to publish professionally. Moreover, taking the right steps and using the right tools makes everything simpler. This guide shows you exactly how to publish a book in Nigeria without stress or overspending.

What it means to publish a book in Nigeria

Publishing a book in Nigeria means turning your written story into a real book that people buy and read. The process starts with editing your manuscript to correct mistakes, followed by designing an attractive cover. After that, you format the pages properly, get an ISBN to make it official, and then print copies for readers. 

When you self-publish a book in Nigeria, you control every step of the process and also keep all the money from your sales. According to ASKWords.ng’s guide “Self-Publishing in Nigeria: A Complete Guide for Authors on a Tight Budget,” you need between ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 for your first book. This includes cover design, editing, formatting, and basic marketing. With these costs in view, publishing becomes an achievable goal for Nigerian writers ready to share their stories.

What costs should you expect when you decide to publish a book in Nigeria?

Real costs to publish a book in Nigeria

Understanding actual costs helps you plan your money properly. Many authors start without knowing prices. As a result, they either spend too much or choose bad services.

The main costs of publishing a book in Nigeria include important services such as:

• Professional editing to correct grammar and improve your story
• Cover design that looks good and attracts readers
• Book formatting for both print and digital versions
• ISBN registration to make your book official
• Printing costs for physical copies
• Basic marketing to help people find your book

Nigerian author Margaret Adetimehin, in her article The Cost of Self-Publishing a Book in Nigeria, openly shared the costs of publishing her first book. Her experience shows that expenses for editing, design, formatting, and printing often fall within the same range outlined in this guide, making it easier for new authors to plan their budgets.

How much money should you save for each part?

Editing and proofreading costs

Professional editing costs ₦30,000 to ₦80,000. This depends on your book length and the editor’s experience. Don’t skip editing because readers notice bad grammar right away.

Professional proofreading costs less than full editing, usually between ₦15,000 and ₦40,000. It serves as the final check to catch spelling and grammar errors before the book goes to print.

Cover design and formatting costs

Professional book covers cost between ₦25,000 to ₦60,000 from good Nigerian designers. Since your cover is what attracts readers first, it is worth investing in quality design.

Interior formatting usually costs ₦20,000 to ₦50,000. This step ensures your book looks professional on the inside, with proper fonts, spacing, and well-structured chapter layouts.

Printing and ISBN costs

ISBN registration costs about ₦5,000 from the National Library of Nigeria, and you need this number to sell your book officially.

Printing costs depend on several factors, such as:

• The number of copies you want
• Your book’s size and page count
• The paper quality you choose
• The printing company you work with

For example, Black Tower Publishers, in their article How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Novel in Nigeria?, explain that printing a 50,000-word novel with 500 copies can cost between ₦1,200,000 and ₦1,500,000. They also note that ISBN registration is around ₦3,500, editing ranges from ₦100,000 to ₦250,000, cover design goes for ₦5,000 to ₦10,000, and formatting falls between ₦13,000 and ₦60,000.

Their breakdown confirms that while some services are affordable, printing in bulk requires the largest part of the budget. This is why many first-time authors start small, printing fewer copies to manage costs.

Step-by-step process to publish a book in Nigeria

Following the right steps saves money and prevents mistakes. Many new authors jump between different tasks, which wastes time and causes confusion.

The process works best when you complete each step fully before moving to the next. This way, nothing is left out and every stage connects properly.

Victor Winners, in the article The 7 Steps to Write Your First Book and Publish It in Nigeria, outlines a clear path that guides authors from idea to finished book. They recommend starting with your “why,” choosing the right topic, and writing consistently. The next steps include editing and formatting, creating a professional cover, and finally publishing and promoting the book. The guide also points out free and affordable tools that reduce costs, showing authors that an organised approach keeps the journey calm and focused.

Which step should you start with when your writing is ready?

Prepare your manuscript

Read your entire book at least twice before sending it anywhere. Fix obvious mistakes. Check that your story makes sense. Also, make sure your formatting looks clean.

Create a backup copy on Google Drive or another cloud service. This protects your work if your computer breaks.

Find good editing services

Look for Nigerian editors who work with your type of book. Ask for examples of their work. Also, get the names of other authors they helped.

Get prices from at least three editors. Compare their costs, how long they take, and what they include.

Design your cover and inside pages

Your cover should grab attention. It should clearly show what type of book you wrote. Look at popular books in your category for ideas.

Choose fonts that are easy to read, and pick page layouts that look professional. Don’t put too much text on each page.

Get the ISBN and prepare for printing

Register your ISBN with the National Library of Nigeria before printing. This number makes your book unique in the system.

Ask for sample prints from your chosen company before ordering many copies. Check the paper quality and binding strength.

Tools and services that help you publish

Having good tools makes everything easier when you want to publish a book in Nigeria. Many authors struggle because they don’t know which services work well. Others don’t know which tools actually help.

Professional services save time and prevent expensive mistakes. While you do some tasks yourself, certain steps need expert skills.

Getting help from experienced publishing companies makes the process smoother. In Nigeria, many publishers provide specialised services. Some are known for excellent design and cover work, while others focus on editing or offer distribution support to place books in stores. These brands are reputable and trusted for their strengths.

In addition to these options, ASKWords.ng provides a slightly different approach. Rather than focusing on one area alone, it supports authors through editing, proofreading, ghostwriting, and complete self-publishing services. This all-in-one model is especially useful for first-time writers who prefer to work with a single company throughout their publishing journey

Which tools and services should you focus on first?

Free tools for preparing your book

Use Google Docs or Microsoft Word to write and format your book. Both programs check spelling and help with basic formatting.

Grammarly catches grammar mistakes that your regular spell-check misses. The free version handles most editing needs for new writers.

Professional services worth paying for

Professional editing makes your book much better. Readers notice the difference between edited and unedited books immediately.

In the same way, a good cover design can determine if people pick up your book or ignore it. Since the cover is the first thing readers see, it’s worth investing in professional quality.

Printing and selling options

Local printing companies often cost less than international services, so it’s smart to get prices from several Nigerian printers before deciding.

At the same time, online platforms like Amazon Kindle let you sell digital copies worldwide. This expands your reach and gives more people access to your book.

To help you see the differences clearly, here’s a breakdown of publishing types, their costs, and what each option offers:

Publishing Type	Cost Range	Your Control	Time Needed	Best For
Do It Yourself	₦200,000-₦500,000	Complete control	3-6 months	Authors wanting full ownership
Hybrid Help	₦300,000-₦800,000	Shared control	4-8 months	Authors wanting professional support
Traditional	Free upfront	Publisher controls	12-24 months	Established authors with agents
Print When Ordered	₦50,000-₦150,000	High control	1-3 months	Authors are testing whether people want their book

Mistakes that cost Nigerian authors money

Many authors waste money on the wrong services when they publish a book in Nigeria, while others settle for poor-quality providers. Learning from these mistakes saves both time and money.

One of the biggest pitfalls is rushing through editing. Poor editing makes a book look unprofessional, and readers often leave negative reviews as a result.

To address this, Chukwuma Okeke in his article How to Self-Publish a Novel in Nigeria: The Complete 2024 Guide for Harmony Publishing outlines clear steps Nigerian authors should follow. He highlights important areas such as choosing the right platforms, meeting design needs, and handling basic marketing. His guidance helps authors avoid costly errors that can ruin projects.

What mistakes should you watch out for?

Skipping professional editing

Don’t edit your own book as the final step. You’re often too close to your work to notice the problems readers will spot right away.

Hiring cheap editors can also cost more in the long run. Poor editing doesn’t solve issues. It reduces your book’s quality.

Picking the wrong printing companies

Always request physical samples before ordering large quantities. Some printers use low-quality paper or bindings that don’t hold up well.

It’s also important to compare shipping costs. Local printing companies often provide more reliable and affordable delivery options.

Forgetting about marketing

Start building your author presence before your book is published. Using social media and email lists helps you connect with readers as soon as your book becomes available.

It’s also wise to set aside at least ₦50,000 for basic marketing activities. Relying on word-of-mouth alone usually doesn’t sell enough copies.

Conclusion

Publishing your first book in Nigeria works when you know real costs, follow proven steps, and use good tools and services. Start by saving ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 for professional editing, cover design, formatting, ISBN registration, and basic marketing. 

Follow the step-by-step process from preparing your manuscript through printing. This prevents costly mistakes. Spend money on professional editing and cover design while using free tools for writing and formatting. Publishing success comes from careful planning, realistic budgeting, and working with experienced professionals who know Nigerian publishing. Your book deserves to reach readers, and with proper preparation, you make that happen within your budget.

Key takeaways

• Save ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 for your first book including all important services.
• Professional editing and cover design improve your book quality significantly.
• Follow step-by-step process to avoid mistakes and save money.
• Get ISBN registration through National Library of Nigeria for ₦5,000.
• Compare several service providers before choosing editors and printers.
• Start marketing before your book launches to build reader interest.
• Use free tools for writing and basic formatting tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions