Reawakening the Reading Culture In Nigeria

Reawakening the Reading Culture In Nigeria

Nigeria has been rated by the World Culture Score Index as one of the countries in the world with the lowest reading culture, while available statistics from National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education shows that 38 percent of Nigerians are non-literate as four in ten primary school children cannot read for comprehension.

Regrettably, this adverse development is an ominous challenge the country seems not to be paying needed attention to. Note that you can only learn by reading, there is generally a poor reading culture in the country. The rich literacy history the country is famous for is gradually been eroded. Once upon a time, the country paraded the best set of authors and publishers in Africa. Then, reading was an innate affection for both young and old. This reading inclination reflected so much on the quality of leadership and civil discipline that brought pride to Nigerians anywhere in the world.

In Nigeria, reading culture has suffered from widespread poverty, corruption, ineptitude and a dearth of dedicated quiet reading spaces like libraries. The decline in the standard of education has seriously affected reading ability. And it becomes harder when you have to deal with the many distractions and challenges that come with being an adult and living in a country like Nigeria. Perhaps, our socio-economic environment is not reading friendly.

The daily struggle for economic survival provides little or no time for people to cultivate a good reading habit. Equally, the high cost of books, particularly imported ones, has contributed to low readership promotion in the country.

Studies have shown that there is an almost symbiotic relationship between reading, learning, and intelligence. The analytical skills that provide the ability to understand issues and solve problems are the product of intensive reading. Reading regularly is a way to mental health which enhances emotional intelligence, helps with self-awareness, empathy, social skills and managing relationships more effectively.

Reading also provides a therapeutic effect and inner tranquility, while also slowing mental decline. Thus, the relationship between reading, knowledge acquisition, intelligence, and personal empowerment is crucial for economic and societal development. A critical mode of thinking and human development is lost in the absence of reading. It is, however, cheering that certain individuals and organizations are making concerted efforts to revive the learning and reading culture in the country.

The culture of reading must be activated in children from a very young age. More books should be procured for children than smartphones and tablets. Nigerian homes need to be fitted with more bookshelves and bookcases than flat-screen TVs and laptops. While it is imperative for federal and state governments to increase funding in education, they must take an active role in resuscitating reading habits, refurbishment of existing libraries and redesign the school curriculum.

We need an effective campaign to bring back the libraries to our schools and communities. Reducing environmental noise, which is inimical to reading, must be a policy imperative for governments across the country.

Finally, the absence of effective reading ability is a barrier to a civilized political culture and economic prosperity. To attain the socio-economic height of our dreams and aspirations, we need to develop literate citizens that are able to read widely to unlock the world treasure of knowledge and participate in the dynamic civilization of the world.

Source

Reference https://www.academia.edu/36716439/The_Making_of_a_Reading_Society_How_to_Reawaken_and_Sustain_the_Reading_Culture_in_Nigerian_Learners