Digital Journalism: Isuwa’s Book On Nigeria’s Newspaper Transformation Set For October 29 Launch
The Group News Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, Sunday Isuwa, PhD, has authored a new book examining the digital transformation of Nigeria’s newspaper industry, with the publication scheduled for public presentation on October 29, 2026, in Abuja.
Titled Digital Shift in Nigeria’s Newspaper Industry, the book explores how technological advancement is reshaping newsroom operations, journalism practice, business models and audience engagement across Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.
The book launch is scheduled for 10am at the Conference Hall of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters, located behind the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
The publication examines the growing transition from traditional print journalism to digital platforms and the implications of the shift for journalists, editors, media organisations and news consumers.
Isuwa’s work also considers emerging issues including multimedia reporting, audience analytics, digital revenue models, misinformation, changing audience behaviour and the challenges confronting legacy news organisations in the digital era.
The foreword to the book was written by the President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), Prof. Rotimi Olatunji of Lagos State University (LASU), while the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma, is scheduled to review the publication.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the Chairman of the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC) are expected to chair the occasion.
Pate Hails Book As Timely Examination Of Media Transformation
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 provides insight into newsroom adaptation, multimedia journalism, audience analytics, emerging revenue strategies, misinformation and changing patterns of 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 added that the publication draws on contemporary evidence and practical examples to examine both the opportunities and challenges created by digital transformation.
According to Pate, the book will be valuable to journalists, media scholars, policymakers and students seeking to understand the changing landscape of journalism in Nigeria.
Kperogi Highlights Nigeria’s Digital Media Transition
Professor Farooq Kperogi of Kennesaw State University, United States, also described the book as an important account of how Nigerian newspapers are responding to the demands of the digital age.
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 noted that the book connects Nigeria’s media transformation with global developments while taking into account the country’s political environment, infrastructural challenges and media culture.
According to him, the publication 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,” Kperogi added.
NAN Boss Describes Publication As Comprehensive Account
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali, described the book as a comprehensive account of the transformation of the Nigerian press.
Ali said the publication traces the history of Nigerian newspapers from their colonial origins to the profound changes introduced by the digital revolution.
He said the book examines how newsrooms have responded to technological advancement, restructured 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.
According to Ali, the publication also looks ahead to the future of newspaper publishing in Nigeria and offers recommendations for editors, journalists, policymakers and other stakeholders.
He described the book as a useful resource for media 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 October 29 event is expected to attract prominent figures from Nigeria’s media and academic communities, with Prof. Uduma Oji Uduma of NOUN scheduled to review the book.