Assessing the reading culture of Nigerians

In an era dominated by digital distractions and rapid technological advancement, the state of a nation’s reading culture serves as a critical indicator of its intellectual development and societal progress. Nigeria, with its rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant population, stands at a crossroads when it comes to fostering a robust reading culture. This article aims to assess the current state of reading in Nigeria, delve into the challenges that hinder its growth, and propose viable solutions to rekindle the nation’s passion for reading.

While Nigeria boasts a vibrant literary tradition with celebrated authors like Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta, Femi Osofisan, Ola Rotimi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie among others, the overall reading culture among Nigerians has faced significant challenges. A combination of factors, including limited access to books, a struggling educational system, and the allure of modern entertainment, has contributed to a decline in reading habits across the country.

Surveys reveal a disheartening reality: a substantial portion of the Nigerian population seldom engages with literature beyond academic requirements or superficial social media content.

Parents have also contributed greatly to the challenges of cultivating a reading culture by not being a role model worth emulating because children get exposed and introduced to life first by just observing them

And sadly, this statement has become a reality today: if you want to hide something from a Nigerian, put it in a book, because he won’t read it. A sad fact that we all agree to either consciously or subconsciously.

Now let’s consider some of the challenges that has led to the decline in reading one way or another in Nigeria, or hindered it in some way. Access to Books: Widespread access to quality reading materials remains a formidable obstacle. Public libraries are scarce and often underfunded, and the cost of purchasing books, both physical and digital, is prohibitive for many Nigerians. And with the current rise in prices of food and many other things, importance has been shifted to getting the little food meagre salary can buy without giving thoughts to even setting aside money for purchasing a book.
 
Education System: A faltering education system places minimal emphasis on cultivating a love for reading. Rote learning and exam-focused curricula discourage critical thinking and intellectual exploration. True the curriculum includes books for the students to read but this is only available to the arts students who are offering Literature-in-English. It doesn’t include the science students. These books are selected only for exam purposes without the interest of the students at heart. Could it be that they would enjoy fictional novels, non-fictional books or even poetry?. They are being bombarded and forced to work within the circle the government has created for them and not even dare peek out the circle.

Promoting Community Libraries: Establishing and funding well-equipped community libraries can serve as accessible hubs for reading and learning. These spaces can host book clubs, author talks, and reading programs to engage and inspire people of all ages.
 
Curriculum Reforms: Overhauling the education system to prioritise critical thinking, analytical skills, and a love for literature is crucial. Incorporating diverse, culturally relevant texts can ignite students’ interest in reading.
 
Digital Outreach: Making use of the advancement in technology to disseminate literature can be very effective. Initiatives like e-book platforms, online reading challenges, and interactive apps can make reading more appealing to the tech-savvy younger generation.

The time is ripe for a collective endeavor to cultivate a nation of lifelong readers, fostering a brighter and more intellectually vibrant future for Nigeria.

A sad truth I do not intend to acknowledge is that not many would pick up this newspaper or even read this article but we’ll gradually get there someday.
Olupitan is a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Department of Mass Communication.