Nigeria’s digital publishing and bookselling platform Okada Books is set to cease operations on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
In 2013, Okada Books was launched by Nigerian writer Okechukwu Ofili to simplify the distribution and selling of books in Nigeria. It was built on making self-publishing easy while connecting writers to people who would pay for their work with the author or publisher getting 70% of the sale while they retained 30% as commission. Since launching, it has grown to over 40,000 original books and 400,000 registered readers, arguably the biggest by an African founder.
On Monday, the platform founder Ofili announced that they will be shutting on November 30. He said that insurmountable challenges had made it impossible to keep the project afloat and they had no choice but to shut down the operation. Here is the statement in full;
Dear OkadaBook Family,
I hope this message finds you well. It is with a heavy heart and a sense of profound gratitude that I reach out to you today.
After much consideration and reflection, we have come to a difficult decision. OkadaBooks will be closing its virtual doors on November 30, 2023. This has not been an easy choice. We explored various venues to keep our virtual bookstores alive, but, unfortunately, the challenges we face are insurmountable.
Over the years, we’ve experienced incredible journeys together – delving into new worlds, discovering diverse voices, and fostering a community of readers and writers that we are immensely proud of. Each one of you has played a crucial role in making OkadaBooks what it is today, and for that, we are truly grateful.
Your support and passion have been everything to us. We’ve witnessed amazing stories unfold, celebrate the triumphs of authors, and, most importantly, build a community that cherishes the written word. Although this chapter is coming to an end, the stories, memories, and connections will endure.
We understand that the news might come as a shock, we are here to assist with any questions or concerns that you may have. Please feel free to reach out to our support team at Okadabooks@gmail.com.
On behalf of the entire OkadaBooks team, I want to express my deepest gratitude for being part of this incredible journey. Thank you for sharing your love of literature with us and contributing to the vibrant community that has flourished here.
As we bid farewell to OkadaBooks, we hope that you continue to explore the vast world of literature through other venues. The adventure doesn’t end; it merely takes a new and exciting turn.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and for making OkadaBooks a cherished part of your reading life.
Wishing you all the best in your future literary adventures.
Regards,
Okechukwu Ofili,
CEO,
OkadaBooks
Watch Okechukwu Ofili speaking about his work and getting books to the people on our livestream;
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