How to Self-Publish a Book in Nigeria: Step-by-Step Guide for New Authors

By Chris Mbakwe · September 14th, 2025
How to Self-Publish a Book in Nigeria: Step-by-Step Guide for New Authors

Are you an aspiring author wondering how to self-publish a book in Nigeria?

You’re not alone. Across Africa, thousands of talented writers are searching for affordable, reliable, and accessible platforms to publish their books.

With the rise of self-publishing platforms for African authors, getting your book into the hands of readers—both locally and globally—has never been easier.

Whether you’re writing fiction, poetry, memoirs, children’s stories, or Christian literature, this step-by-step guide to self-publishing in Nigeria will help you turn your manuscript into a published book and start earning from your creativity.

Self-Publishing in Nigeria

Traditional publishing in Nigeria has historically been challenging for new authors. Limited opportunities, high costs, and long waiting periods discourage many writers. This is where self-publishing platforms in Africa are stepping up, giving authors the freedom to:

1. Publish at zero or low upfront cost

2. Retain creative control and full rights to their work

3. Distribute books globally through online marketplaces

4. Earn higher royalties than traditional publishers offer

With technology, you no longer need to wait for a publishing house to recognize your talent—you can take your story directly to readers.

fixing-a-broken-system-what-itan-means-for-the-future-of-publishing-in-africa

Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Publishing Your Book in Nigeria

1. Write and Edit Your Manuscript

The first step is obvious but crucial: write your book. Once you finish writing, invest in professional editing and proofreading to ensure quality. Nigerian and African readers appreciate well-written books, and high editorial standards are essential for success.

2. Choose the Right Self-Publishing Platform

The key to success as an African author is selecting a self-publishing platform designed for African writers. Many Nigerian authors struggle with global platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) because of cross-border payment challenges, high royalty cuts, and lack of marketing support.

ITAN Global Publishing (IGP) is tailored to African authors and offers the following benefits:

1. Free book uploads

2. Global eBook and audiobook distribution

3. Marketing and visibility support

4. Hassle-free royalty payments

By publishing through an Africa-focused platform, you ensure your book is accessible to both African and international readers.

3. Format Your Book Professionally

Your book needs to look polished. Proper formatting makes your book appealing in both print and digital formats. Platforms like ITAN or Lulu offer formatting tools and templates to simplify this process.

4. Design a Professional Book Cover

A great book cover is your first marketing tool. Invest in graphic design services or use templates offered by publishing platforms. Remember: African literature competes globally, so your book must look as professional as any international bestseller.

5. Upload and Publish Your Book

Once your manuscript and cover are ready, upload them to your chosen platform. Self-publishing platforms like ITAN Global Publishing allow you to:

1. Set your book price in local and foreign currencies

2. Publish your book in eBook, print-on-demand, and audiobook formats

3. Distribute to a global audience

6. Market Your Book Aggressively

Self-publishing doesn’t end with uploading your book—you need to promote it.
Here are some strategies:

1. Build an author brand on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X)

2. Run targeted ads to reach African readers and the diaspora

3.Collaborate with book bloggers and podcasters

4. Use ITAN University’s marketing resources to boost visibility

7. Earn and Grow Your Readership

Once your book is live, track your sales and royalties. Platforms like IGP simplify payments, ensuring Nigerian and African writers get paid seamlessly in their preferred currency. Use feedback from readers to improve your next publication.

How to Publish a book on IGP

Why ITAN Global Publishing is the Best Choice for African Authors

For too long, African authors have struggled with visibility and monetization. ITAN is solving this by providing:

1. A marketplace built for African literature

2. Multilingual book translation (French, German, Swahili, Hindi, Mandarin)

3. Print-on-demand global shipping

4. AI-powered book discovery tools

5. Audiobook conversion services

By joining ITAN, African writers finally have a publishing platform that understands their challenges and markets their stories to the right audience—not just locally, but worldwide.

Final Thoughts

Self-publishing in Nigeria is no longer a dream; it’s a reality. With the right platform, African authors can finally share their stories with readers across the globe—and get paid fairly for their work.

Are you an African author looking to publish your novel, memoir, poetry, or children’s book, start your journey today with ITAN Global Publishing.

Your story deserves to be read. Your voice deserves to be heard. The world is waiting for your book.

Begin your publishing journey today. Visit

https://publish.itan.app