Books and publishing
Getting an ISBN in Nigeria
What an ISBN is, who issues it, what the National Library of Nigeria asks for, and what WBA can and cannot do on your behalf.
2 min read · Last checked 23 July 2026
What an ISBN is
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) identifies one edition of one publication in one format. Booksellers, distributors and libraries use it to order and list your book. It is a catalogue number, not a copyright registration: your copyright exists whether or not you have one.
One ISBN per format
| You are publishing | ISBNs needed |
|---|---|
| A paperback only | 1 |
| A paperback and an ebook | 2 |
| A hardback, a paperback and an ebook | 3 |
| A revised second edition of the paperback | 1 more |
Who issues it
The National Library of Nigeria is the issuing authority. WBA is not, and no part of this platform issues identifiers. What WBA does is prepare the application with you, track it, keep the evidence, and tell you honestly where it stands.
- 1Gather your details
- 2WBA prepares the application
- 3The National Library issues the ISBN
- 4WBA records it on your title
What you need before applying
Gather these first. They must match what will be printed, so settle them before you apply:
- The final title and subtitle, exactly as they will appear
- The author name or names, exactly as they will be credited
- The format and edition: paperback, hardback or ebook; first or later edition
- The approximate page count and publication date
- The imprint or publisher name. If you are self-publishing, this is usually your own name or imprint
What WBA does, and does not do
| What WBA does | What WBA cannot do |
|---|---|
| Prepares the application with you | Issue the ISBN |
| Submits it where the process allows | Hurry the National Library |
| Records the authority's response | Promise a timeline the authority has not given |
| Stores the evidence on your title record | Mark a case done without official evidence |
Every case shows its status in plain words. If the application is waiting with the National Library, the case says exactly that, rather than "in progress".
Barcodes
The barcode on the back cover encodes your ISBN-13. WBA makes a barcode only from an ISBN-13 that passes validation. An invalid number produces no barcode, because a barcode carrying the wrong number is worse than none.