<p>If you have written a book and want to sell it in bookshops, list it on online stores or deposit it with libraries, you need an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). In Nigeria, ISBNs come from one place only: the <strong>National Library of Nigeria (NLN)</strong>. This guide explains how to apply for ISBN in Nigeria step by step, online or in person. It covers the documents to prepare, what it costs, how long it takes, and the legal deposit you must make once your book is printed.</p>

<h2>What Is an ISBN and Why Do You Need One?</h2>

<p>An ISBN is a unique 13-digit number that identifies one edition of a book in one format. Bookshops, distributors, libraries and online retailers use it to order, stock and track your book. Without one, many distributors and most libraries will not handle your title.</p>

<p>An ISBN does not give you copyright. Your work is protected by copyright as soon as you create it. The ISBN simply identifies the book and records you (or your company) as its publisher.</p>

<p>A few rules apply everywhere in the world:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>One ISBN per format.</strong> A paperback, a hardcover and an ebook of the same book each need their own number.</li>

<li><strong>New edition, new ISBN.</strong> A revised edition with significant changes needs a new number. Fixing a few typos does not.</li>

<li><strong>An ISBN can't be reused.</strong> Once a number is assigned to a book, it stays with that book for good.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Who Issues ISBNs in Nigeria?</h2>

<p>The National Library of Nigeria is the country's official ISBN agency. It is the only body allowed to issue ISBNs to publications from Nigeria, and Nigerian ISBNs carry the country's 978 registration group. Any person or company that offers to "sell" you a Nigerian ISBN is either applying to the NLN on your behalf or selling you something that is not valid.</p>

<p>Self-published authors can apply directly. You do not need a publishing company. Most kinds of books qualify, including novels, textbooks, poetry collections, children's books and ebooks. Very short items such as brochures, flyers and pamphlets usually do not.</p>

<h2>Documents to Prepare Before You Apply</h2>

<p>Have these ready, ideally as PDF or image files, before you start:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>The book's cover</strong> (front cover at minimum).</li>

<li><strong>The preliminary pages</strong>: the title page and the copyright page showing the title, author, publisher and year.</li>

<li><strong>A valid means of identification</strong> and a passport photograph of the applicant.</li>

<li><strong>A letter of intent or application letter</strong> addressed to the National Library, stating the book's title, author, format and how many ISBNs you need. Use the same name on the letter and on your payment.</li>

<li><strong>Basic book details</strong>: full title and subtitle, author names, publisher name and address, format (paperback, hardcover, ebook), edition, and the expected publication date.</li>

</ul>

<p>Leave a space on your copyright page for the ISBN. You will add the number there once it is issued.</p>

<h2>How to Apply for ISBN in Nigeria Online</h2>

<p>The NLN runs an online ISBN portal at <a href="https://isbn.nln.gov.ng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">isbn.nln.gov.ng</a>. The process has two stages: first you create a profile, then you apply.</p>

<ol>

<li><strong>Create your profile.</strong> Open the portal, register with your name, email address, phone number and publisher details, and confirm your email if asked.</li>

<li><strong>Start a new ISBN application.</strong> Log in and fill in the book's details: title, author or authors, format, edition and the number of ISBNs you want.</li>

<li><strong>Upload your documents.</strong> Attach the cover, the preliminary pages and any other files the portal asks for.</li>

<li><strong>Pay the fee.</strong> Payment is made through Remita, the Federal Government's payment platform. You will get a Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) number. Keep it, along with your receipt, as proof of payment.</li>

<li><strong>Submit and track.</strong> Submit the application and check the portal and your email for updates. When it is approved, the NLN sends your ISBN or ISBNs.</li>

</ol>

<p>The portal can be slow or unavailable during maintenance. If it does not load, try again at a quieter time of day or use the in-person route below.</p>

<h2>How to Apply in Person at a National Library Branch</h2>

<p>You can also apply at the National Library headquarters in Abuja or at any of its state branches. Several branches still prefer, or require, documents to be submitted physically, so it is worth calling your nearest branch before you go.</p>

<ol>

<li>Visit the branch with printed copies of your documents and your letter of intent.</li>

<li>Ask for the ISBN desk or the legal deposit unit, and fill in any form they give you.</li>

<li>Pay through Remita as directed by the staff, then bring back your payment receipt.</li>

<li>Collect your ISBN when it is ready, or receive it by email if the branch offers that.</li>

</ol>

<h2>How Much Does an ISBN Cost in Nigeria?</h2>

<p>The National Library sets the fees and changes them from time to time. The table below shows the fees that were published in April 2024:</p>

<table>

<thead>

<tr><th>Number of ISBNs</th><th>Fee (April 2024)</th></tr>

</thead>

<tbody>

<tr><td>1 ISBN</td><td>₦5,000</td></tr>

<tr><td>2 ISBNs</td><td>₦7,000</td></tr>

<tr><td>3 to 10 ISBNs</td><td>₦10,000</td></tr>

</tbody>

</table>

<p>Other guides quote different figures, from about ₦3,500 for one ISBN to slightly more when a barcode is included. Remita also adds a small transaction charge. <strong>Always confirm the current fee on the portal or with your branch before you pay</strong>, so you don't pay the wrong amount.</p>

<p>Buying several numbers at once is cheaper per book. It makes sense if you plan a paperback and an ebook, or a series. You can request up to 10 ISBNs in one application, and you normally need your current application approved before you apply for more.</p>

<h2>How Long Does It Take?</h2>

<p>Processing time varies by channel and by branch. Complete online applications are often processed within a few working days. Physical applications, or applications with missing documents, can take two to four weeks. Apply well before your planned launch date and before your book goes to print, because the ISBN must appear on the copyright page and on the back cover barcode.</p>

<h2>What to Do After You Get Your ISBN</h2>

<h3>1. Put the ISBN in your book</h3>

<p>Print the ISBN on the copyright page. For printed books, also put it on the back cover as an EAN-13 barcode, which bookshops scan at the till. Your printer or cover designer can create the barcode from your ISBN.</p>

<h3>2. Make your legal deposit</h3>

<p>Under Nigerian law, publishers must deposit copies of every book they publish with the National Library. According to the NLN, a private or commercial publisher must deposit <strong>three copies</strong>, a state government <strong>10 copies</strong> and the Federal Government <strong>25 copies</strong>. The publisher pays for these copies.</p>

<p>Don't skip this step. The NLN uses legal deposit records to decide whether to issue you new ISBNs, so publishers who don't deposit their books may find later applications delayed or refused.</p>

<h3>3. Keep your records</h3>

<p>Save your approval email, your Remita receipt and a record of which ISBN belongs to which format. You will need these details when you list the book with distributors and online stores.</p>

<h2>Common Mistakes to Avoid</h2>

<ul>

<li><strong>Using one ISBN for every format.</strong> Each format needs its own number.</li>

<li><strong>Paying through an unofficial middleman</strong> who charges far more than the NLN fee. You can apply yourself.</li>

<li><strong>Mismatched names.</strong> Use the same name on your application, your letter and your Remita payment.</li>

<li><strong>Printing before the ISBN arrives.</strong> Wait for the number, then send the final files to the printer.</li>

<li><strong>Forgetting legal deposit</strong>, which can hold up your next application.</li>

</ul>

<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>

<h3>Can I apply for an ISBN in Nigeria as a self-published author?</h3>

<p>Yes. Individuals can apply directly to the National Library of Nigeria. You will be recorded as the publisher, or you can use a publishing name of your own.</p>

<h3>Is an ISBN the same as copyright?</h3>

<p>No. Copyright protects your work automatically. The ISBN only identifies the book and its publisher.</p>

<h3>Do I need an ISBN for an ebook?</h3>

<p>It depends where you sell it. Some online stores give ebooks their own internal number, but an ISBN from the National Library lets you sell through more channels and keeps you listed as the publisher.</p>

<h3>What about the free ISBN from Amazon KDP?</h3>

<p>A free ISBN from a self-publishing platform can usually be used only on that platform, and the platform is listed as the publisher. An ISBN from the NLN is yours to use with any printer, bookshop or retailer.</p>

<h3>Can I get an ISSN the same way?</h3>

<p>Yes. The National Library also issues ISSNs for serial publications such as journals, magazines and newsletters, through a similar process.</p>

<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>

<p>Getting an ISBN in Nigeria is straightforward once your documents are ready. Prepare the cover, the preliminary pages, your ID and a letter of intent. Then apply on the NLN portal or at a branch, pay through Remita and wait for approval. After that, print the ISBN in your book and make your legal deposit. Check the current fee with the National Library before paying, because fees change. If you are building a small publishing business around your books, explore more guides in our <a href="/category/business">Business section</a>.</p>