Work & Impact — Gbadega Adedapo

Flagship Product

Accessible Studybase

Launched at Nigeria International Book Fair 2024

Accessible Studybase is a revolutionary educational platform designed to reshape teaching and learning in Nigeria. Born from the COVID-19 pandemic's revelation that technology was essential for educational publishing, it represents the culmination of years of vision and development.

The platform's launch theme — "Leverage Technology to Enhance Learning and Reduce School Operational Cost" — captures its dual mission: better education and more efficient schools.

Virtual Teaching Series

Curriculum-based content aligned with NERDC standards, enabling self-directed learning for all subjects.

School Administration

Enrollment, student/teacher profiling, attendance management, and online payments in one platform.

Multimedia Content

Rich interactive lessons that go beyond traditional textbooks, engaging learners through multiple formats.

AI-Powered Textbooks

Nigeria's first AI-powered digital textbook (2025) — intelligent, adaptive learning for every student.

Endorsed By

Chief Cyril Uchenna Anioke — President, Nigerian Publishers Association Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi — President, Booksellers Association of Nigeria Mrs. Grace Samuel — Deputy Director, UBEC

Continental Initiative

African Publishing Innovation Fund

$1 Million+ • 4 Years • 11 Million+ Young Africans

The African Publishing Innovation Fund (APIF) is a grant programme co-led by Dubai Cares and implemented by the International Publishers Association. Gbadega was instrumental in its creation — he raised the need for capacity development in Africa during IPA meetings, which birthed the entire IPA Africa Seminar Series and ultimately led to this landmark fund.

$1M+

Total Fund

4 Years

Programme Duration

18

Countries Applied

11M+

Young Africans Impacted

How It Works

APIF provides catalytic funding to scalable, cutting-edge African publishing innovations through thematic calls for proposals. In 2021 alone, 5 projects across Africa received $170,000 in funding.

The Lagos Action Plan

The fund operates within the framework of the Lagos Action Plan — 5 Transformation Goals developed under Gbadega's leadership:

Enhancing Stakeholder Collaboration and Coordination
Advancing Innovative Solutions to Longstanding Challenges
Making Africa's Copyright Framework Fit for the Digital Era
Leveraging Data for Advocacy and Digital Transformation
Promoting Diversity and Inclusiveness in Global Publishing

Global Events

IPA Africa Seminar Series

Lagos 2018 • Nairobi 2019

The IPA Africa Seminar Series represents the International Publishers Association's first dedicated engagement with the African continent. Gbadega co-organized and opened both landmark events.

Lagos 2018

Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos — May 9, 2018
200+ delegates from across Africa and beyond
Keynote: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
6 panel discussions on African publishing
Outcome: The Lagos Action Plan
Gbadega opened the seminar, estimating African publishing at $1 billion annual turnover
Paraphrased Chinua Achebe on piracy: "Things Fall Apart"

Nairobi 2019

Hosted by Kenya Publishers Association
Theme: "Africa Rising"
Signed MOUs with APNET and ADEA
Secured $1 Million+ commitment from Dubai Cares
Met with prospective APIF grant recipients
Called for "campaign of acceptability for digital reading"

Lagos 2018 — Panel Topics

Publishing in the 21st Century: Socio-economic Contribution of Publishing in Africa

Strengthening Educational Publishing in Africa

Bringing the Voice of African Writers, Publishers and Content Creators to the World

The Role of Technology in Overcoming Illiteracy and Promoting a Reading Culture

Addressing Freedom to Publish Challenges in Africa

Enhancing Enforcement of Copyright and Intellectual Property Laws

Industry Reform

Advocacy & Policy

Fighting for Nigeria's $3 Billion Book Industry

Beyond building companies and platforms, Gbadega has been a tireless advocate for systemic change in Nigeria's publishing industry. His advocacy spans policy reform, anti-piracy measures, and digital transformation.

National Book Policy

Consistently pushed for the implementation of a functional National Book Policy to guide the industry's development and protect stakeholders.

Copyright Act Reform

Advocated for a new Copyright Act that addresses digital-era challenges while protecting creators' rights. Worked with Nigerian Copyright Commission Director General John Asein.

Anti-Piracy Campaign

Vocal opponent of book piracy, warning that if unchecked, "Things Fall Apart" (paraphrasing Chinua Achebe). Called on government to take decisive action.

Digital Reading Acceptability

In 2019, called for "a campaign of acceptability for digital reading" — described as being ahead of most African publishing leaders at the time.

Modern Printing Technology

Pushed for investment in modern printing technology and equipment to reduce dependence on imports and lower production costs.

Industry Collaboration

Presented "Building Synergy Between Printers and Publishers for Improved Local Production in Nigeria" at the 2023 International Print Expo.

"For the industry to thrive, there must be implementation of a functional National Book Policy and new Copyright Act, stronger collaboration among players, investment in modern printing technology, quality control measures, and a culture of inclusivity."

— Gbadega Adedapo, International Print Expo 2023 (Punch Nigeria)

The Committee

Africa Action Plan Committee Members

A cross-section of seasoned African publishers tasked with taking forward the commitments made during the Lagos Seminar. Originally called the Lagos Action Plan Committee, this evolved group addresses major challenges stifling the continent's vast potential to be a world publishing powerhouse.

Gbadega Adedapo (Nigeria)

NPA; IPA Executive Committee

Lawrence Njagi (Kenya)

Committee Chair; KPA; IPA

Brian Wafawarova (South Africa)

PASA; IPA

Ernest Oppong (Ghana)

APNET

Aminata Sy (Sénégal)

Nouvelles Éditions Africaines du Sénégal

Amina Hachimi Alaoui (Morocco)

Éditions Yanbow Al Kitab

Isabelle Kassi Fofana (Côte d'Ivoire)

Akwaba Culture Association

Lily Nyariki (Kenya)

ADEA

Committee Priority Issues

Gathering of accurate publishing industry data Copyright awareness and protection National book and reading policies Advocacy for reading and literacy promotion Training and capacity building An award for African books

Pivotal Moment

COVID-19 & The Digital Pivot

2020 — Turning Crisis into Transformation

When COVID-19 shut down schools and disrupted the publishing industry in 2020, Gbadega saw it not as a setback but as a catalyst. While many publishers struggled, he immediately recognized that technology was the future of educational publishing.

In his own words: "The world was not prepared for the devastating effect that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, but publishers had to adjust to the reality. Several companies had to shut down while most that thrived are those that embraced technology or that continued their operations virtually."

This conviction led directly to:

2021: Rebrand to Accessible Publishers

Changed the company name and mission to focus on making content accessible across ALL formats — e-books, audio books, braille, virtual learning, apps.

2024: Accessible Studybase

The comprehensive EdTech platform born from 4 years of development post-COVID. Virtual classrooms, school admin, multimedia content.

2025: AI-Powered Textbooks

Nigeria's first AI-powered digital textbook — integrating curriculum content with AI features for notes, videos, assessments, and revision tools.

Industry Leadership

Publicly urged fellow publishers to "embrace technology for sustainability" and "seize the opportunity presented by the pandemic."

Products

Books & Digital Products

Curriculum-Aligned Content for Nigerian Schools

Accessible Publishers (formerly Rasmed Publications) produces a wide range of educational materials spanning different age grades, subjects, and formats. All titles are designed to align with the latest national curriculum approved by NERDC (Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council).

Textbooks

Curriculum-aligned textbooks for primary and secondary schools across all subjects. Colourful illustrations, teacher-pupil friendly layouts.

Nursery Books

Early childhood education materials designed to introduce young learners to reading and foundational concepts.

Hausa Language

Taskhar Ilimin Hausa — textbook for Junior Secondary 1-3 students, showcasing deep cultural heritage and values of Hausa society.

Yoruba Language

Started with "Ise Esu" (Devil's Handiwork) — promoting local languages to connect with readers' minds.

E-Books

Digital versions of all publications available through the Accessible Publishers platform.

AI iBook (2025)

Integrates curriculum-approved content with AI features — notes, videos, assessments, revision tools. Works in classroom and at home.

Formats Available

Print textbooks (traditional) E-books (digital) Audio books Braille editions Virtual learning modules Mobile app content AI-powered interactive textbooks

Trade & Policy

AfCFTA & The Future of African Publishing

Gbadega has spoken about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its implications for publishing. In his Borders Literature Online interview, he noted:

"The AfCFTA is by default designed to expand African trade which of course is to the advantage of the IPA plans in building African Publishing markets in the long run. The AfCFTA ratification by the Federal Government of Nigeria will be maximised if industry players could position their businesses. It will create more competitiveness within the publishing industry."

He also connected AfCFTA to education: "The AfCFTA will highly promote education and literacy levels across Africa in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal for inclusive and equitable quality education: SDG 4."

Industry Challenges He Identified

Brain drain, high cost of production, lack of technical/financial/human capital, piracy, high foreign exchange rates, poor infrastructure.

Solutions He Advocates

National Book Policy, Nigerian Book Commission, Copyright Act reform, modern printing technology, digital transformation, stakeholder collaboration, inclusivity.