FAE pushes revival of Nigeria’s paper industry

…unveils Eco Fine copier papers

Princess Bakare-Okeowo, managing director and chief executive officer, FAE Limited, has called for the revival of the country’s paper industry, insisting that digitalisation can coexist with a thriving paper ecosystem.

Okeowo made this known at the recent unveiling of FAE Limited’s Eco Fine photocopier paper in Lagos as part of activities to mark this year’s World Envelopes Day.

According to her, Nigeria’s paper industry remained underdeveloped compared to its population, noting that the country has only a few paper mills despite its large market size.

Egypt has about 25 paper mill industries. What is the population of Egypt? In Nigeria, we are over 250 million, and we have just three paper mills,” she said.

“We have Chinese coming in to make papers in Nigeria; meanwhile, our old paper mills are not working,” she added.

She stressed that the push for a paperless society should not come at the expense of the country’s paper industry, adding that Nigerians should be allowed to choose their preferred mode of communication.  

“I am using this opportunity of World Envelope Day to plead with the government to make our post office work. Let the Nigerian people judge where and how they want their communications to be. They shouldn’t kill the paper industries in Nigeria.”

Highlighting the economic potential of the industry, she noted that paper production is highly lucrative, while calling for increased investment.

“We need a lot of investors when it comes to papermaking because papermaking is a gold mine. A ton of paper now is $1,300. Imagine, we are exporting that out of Nigeria,” Bakare-Okeowo said.

She maintained that local manufacturers currently cannot meet demand, adding that her firm was already grappling with supply constraints.

“We cannot meet demand. They are even expanding every day. I am having issues now with my shipment because my paper mill is overbooked,” she explained.

Speaking about the Eco Fine copier papers, she said the product reflects growing global demand for sustainable solutions offering high-quality output while remaining eco-conscious.

She maintained that paper production could coexist with environmental preservation through responsible practices such as tree replacement and the use of alternative raw materials.

Leye Kupoluyi, president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commended the organisation for innovation and reiterated the importance of paper products to economic activities.

“Business without innovation is bound to die, but this is a business with different kinds of innovation. This eco-friendly paper that will never jam is another giant stride for the growth of our economy.”

Kupoluyi emphasised that envelopes and paper remain central to multiple sectors, despite the rise of digital communication.

“The envelope is the container, the home of all letters. It houses all your letters, especially physical letters, even in the banking industry. It is a contributor in every area from the knowledge industry to manufacturing and services.”

He estimated Nigeria’s paper industry as a multi-billion-naira sector requiring renewed focus and technological upgrades.