Education Experts Urge Nigerian Leaders to Champion Revival of Declining Reading Culture
Stakeholders across Nigeria's education and literary sectors have issued a stark warning about the steady and concerning decline in reading culture throughout the nation. They emphasize that this troubling trend, if left unaddressed, poses a significant threat to the intellectual capacity and future global competitiveness of the country's youth. The urgent call to action was made during the recent launch event for the book Village People, authored by Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly known as Mister Rain, held in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Certificates Alone Are Insufficient for Building Citizens
At the gathering, educationists, authors, and literary advocates convened to deeply examine the growing disconnect between young Nigerians and the foundational culture of reading. Mrs. Funsho Adegbola, founder of Vale College and daughter of the late Chief Bola Ige, delivered a powerful address. She implored leaders at all levels to take an active and visible role in promoting reading among the younger generation. Adegbola stressed that academic certificates alone are utterly insufficient for cultivating well-rounded, capable citizens.
"If leaders read and demonstrate the value of knowledge, people will associate growth with learning rather than shortcuts," Adegbola stated, underscoring the critical importance of mentorship and diverse exposure in shaping a literate and competent youth population. She issued a warning against a societal culture that is overly fixated on certificate-chasing without the parallel pursuit of genuine knowledge acquisition.
"Many people hold certificates, but are they truly educated? Are they well-rounded? We must return to a knowledge-driven society where reading and learning are valued for their own sake, not just as a credential," she urged passionately. Adegbola reiterated that a robust culture of reading, combined with consistent mentorship and broad exposure, is absolutely critical for producing citizens who are capable of driving meaningful societal progress.
"Leaders, educators, and parents must collaborate to make reading a valued and integral part of daily life," she concluded. Reflecting on the book launch itself, Adegbola described the event as refreshing and praised the impressive creativity and ingenuity displayed by the young participants in attendance.
The Challenge of Visual Media and Collective Responsibility
Author Babatunde Ojobaro, in his own remarks, highlighted the pressing challenges created by the societal shift away from reading and toward visual media consumption, including movies, television, and various social media platforms. "Reading, once a dominant means of learning and personal development, has gradually been overshadowed by the growing preference for visual content," Ojobaro observed.
He elaborated on the consequences of this shift, noting, "A lot of what we struggle with, or even pay for, is simply because we lack the knowledge to handle those situations ourselves." Ojobaro firmly asserted that reading remains fundamental to personal and national growth. "With deliberate strategies and innovation, we can bring people back to books. When knowledge becomes accessible, engaging, and relevant, we empower a generation to think critically, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to society," he added optimistically.
Ojobaro emphasized that reviving the reading culture is a collective responsibility that extends far beyond just readers. It involves authors, publishers, educators, and librarians working in concert. "It is not enough to write a book; you must present it in a way that draws people in. The title, the design, the style of writing, everything must connect with the reader," he explained, pointing to the need for appealing presentation.
Access, Guidance, and Engagement as Cornerstones
Mrs. Josephine Olojede, who provided a review of Village People at the event, pinpointed access, guidance, and engagement as the three essential cornerstones for cultivating strong and enduring reading habits among youth. She praised the book for its simplicity, conversational style, and universal appeal, noting that "teenagers, young adults, and even accomplished professionals could benefit from its message."
To make reading both enjoyable and impactful, Olojede recommended the implementation of targeted initiatives. These include structured mentorship programmes, community book clubs, and interactive digital reading platforms designed to meet young people where they are. The consensus among all speakers was clear: reversing the decline in reading culture is an urgent national imperative requiring immediate and sustained action from all sectors of society.
