ENHANCING READING CULTURE FOR

BETTER SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT:

THE ROLE OF ICT AND STAKEHOLDER
 
PROFESSOR ELIJAH ADEBOWALE AYOLABI
 INTRODUCTION
Reading is an essential tool for lifelong learning. Reading is a unique
human activity that is characterized by the translation of symbols or
letters into words and sentences that communicate information and
mean something to the reader. The reader seeks to understand the
meaning of a written text; evaluates its significance and uses what he
or she has read to enhance his or her knowledge, effectiveness or
pleasure. It is important for everyone to develop the rudiments of
reading and the culture of reading always so as to survive in life.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Reading according to Holte (1998) adds quality to life and provides
access to culture and cultural heritage. He pointed out that reading
empowers and emancipates citizens and bring people together.
Okeke (2000) reaffirms that the art of reading is a priceless
instrument for everyone. It is one of the most important activities of
life through which we enter into the life and experiences of others
and extend our knowledge, scope of experience and enjoyment. It
has critical role to play in the overall development of an individual
and the nation at large. Ogugua et al (2015) said “Reading culture
refers to habitual and regular reading of books and information
materials.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Strategies for developing reading culture are to introduce children to
reading very early in their lives, to read for contests, and to establish
libraries in their classrooms and training of the teachers who will
teach the children how to read. Benefits of reading culture to the
individual are increase in memory, discipline, vocabulary, creativity
and skills, while at the national level it enhances educational growth
and development of the nation”.
 INTRODUCTION ….

Reading remains the best way of acquiring information, and remains

a major connecting point for understanding the past and envisioning
what our future could become. A country that wants to develop,
must therefore make it imperative to build its reading culture . The
question that remains is the way to improve the reading culture in
our Society, this implies is that enhancing a nation’s reading culture
is significantly, a vital point for expanding the potentials of a nation
into a knowledge economy. The world’s leading economies today
trade on intellectual capital – which is the collective knowledge of a
people.
 INTRODUCTION ….
In the past, enormous natural resources was enough to place a
country at the top of the economic ladder, but the dynamics of play
has become even more complex. Now, the focal point has become
the information that is mined from the people, and with each pass of
each year, we are reminded more than ever to realise that reading
has become a vital point for translating the ideas of one generation
to another.
 INTRODUCTION ….
What this evidently translates to mean is that reading is one of the
major ways of acquiring information and improving skills. Yet, not
too many people are motivated or engaged to read, which explains
why there is a perpetual conversation around the development of a
reading culture in Nigeria. It is believed that due to experiences at
school, most parents erroneously believed that ‘reading from books’
alone was the only way by which knowledge could be acquired.
“Reading culture does not necessarily mean reading books, because
that’s what our society really think should be the trend.
 INTRODUCTION ….

According to Professor Okebukola, who recently said “We have books

everywhere, but most people don’t have the appetite to read them. So
you have a reading culture that is depressing in Nigeria and if this is not
arrested, we will just continue to get books flooding the market and the
knowledge encoded in the books does not get translated. He further said
the NUC saw the phenomenon known as e-books and journals coming;
hence mandated universities nationwide to have e-libraries in addition to
conventional libraries that would grant their students access to academic
materials online.” .
 INTRODUCTION ….
Although, it was noted that society have yet to catch up with the
reality but the circumstances of the future will compel the change
because e-books will be the vogue as students will prefer reading
through ICT-devices,”
 INTRODUCTION ….
Mefor (2010) urged all Nigerians schools to launch a readership
promotion campaign which will help to inculcate the culture of
reading in children. It is also important to start early to inculcate the
culture of reading early enough in a child. Also Olukemi (2010)
advised Nigerian youths to imbibe the reading culture in all their
endeavors. She lamented that lack of reading culture among youths
nowadays has greatly affected quality of graduates being produced
by the nation's higher institutions. It is against this background that
this study tries to investigate on the influence of internet on the
reading culture of pupils in homes and schools.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Improving access to relevant information and promoting a reading
culture are prerequisites for strengthening literacy skills, widening
education and learning opportunities, and helping people to address
the causes of poverty (Makotsi, 2005).
 
The library provides books and other resources which will help
shape thoughts and influence the actions of students throughout life
with active supervision by an experienced librarian. Due to
technological development, reading habits are changing. In our
society today, while technology is slowly taking a steady control
over individual lives, the reading habit is fast vanishing into thin air
(The Hindu, 2004).
 INTRODUCTION ….
Students now lack the skill of reading. Instead they spend more
hours on the internet. Browsing the net, playing with funky handsets
and passing non-stop SMSs and chatting with friends seem to be the
order of the day, thereby making reading a book or any other piece
of written material in a quiet or peaceful corner of a library or home
become an archaic idea for most school children and adults (The
Hindu, 2004). Obama (2008) in his speech pinpointed that children
cannot achieve unless they raise their expectations and turn off
television sets
 INTRODUCTION ….
Unfortunately, reading is not taught or included in school
curriculum. Reading is not a subject and cannot be taught separately
as most other subjects in the curriculum rather it is subsumed in
every other subject and is regarded as a tool facilitating many other
types of learning. With Nigeria’s reading culture on the steady
decline, the need for information and knowledge in today’s world
has continued rise. Reading remains the best way of acquiring
information, and remains a major connecting point for
understanding the past and envisioning what our future could
become. Knowledge is everything.
 INTRODUCTION ….
When people say the world is evolving, they are not just talking
about a different fashion taste or debating the new values prevalent
in the system, most times they are discussing the shift to a
civilisation that is driven by information. What this implies is that
enhancing Nigeria’s reading culture is significantly, a vital point for
expanding the potentials of a nation into a knowledge economy
 
The reading culture of students may either build or destroy their
academic excellence. Ozoegu (2012) observes that people hardly
read these days unlike in times past when students read not only for
academic purposes but also for the fun and entertainment side of the
exercise.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Njoku (2012) observes that reading has become burdensome to
students such that most students graduate as half-baked, thus finding
it difficult to practise in their areas of discipline. Abanobi (2012)
laments that the internet is beginning to eat into students’ reading
values. Holt (1998) remarks that, a situation in which a large number
of people rarely read, either because they lack the skill or simply
because they do not care enough to take time to concentrate, will
pose serious problems in the future. Reading is essential to full
participation in modern society. Reading adds quality to life,
provides access to culture and cultural heritage, empowers and
emancipates citizens, and as well brings people together.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Creating a reading culture, is simply about encouraging a habit of
reading among learners. Several non-governmental groups and the
different levels of government, have made, and are still making
attempts to increase the reading culture in Nigeria. Aside there being
a low level of literacy in Nigeria, even a narrowing down to those
who are educated will reveal that there are still too many people who
are largely unfamiliar with reading in Nigeria, there is also the
increase in the cost of publishing which translates to the
unavailability of books, magazines, newspapers and journals, and
we still have inadequate libraries and bookshops.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Interestingly, in relations to the drive towards technology in Nigeria
today, it could be time to also move the advocacy for the reading
culture towards a technological transformation. We are living in a
world where books come in a broader term – there are e-books
which are not only available on mobile devices but computers as
well.
 INTRODUCTION ….
. Some of the world’s biggest libraries in the world today have
online libraries which offer access to readers to borrow, read and
return books, newspapers and journals. This means there is an
opportunity to reach even more readers and access to some of the
world’s rarest books.
 INTRODUCTION ….
In Nigeria, one wonders, how we can translate the problems of our
dying library system, and comatose publishing industry into a
vibrant electronic industry. Already, more and more people gain
lifestyle information on their mobile devices, and introducing them
to the wealth of knowledge possible via computer could be better for
the country. The question now is, how many Nigerians even own a
computer?
.
 INTRODUCTION ….
According to a survey carried out by the Nigerian Bureau of
Statistics, only 4.5% of Nigerians own PC, this is rather abysmal,
considering how integral computers can be to improving the reading
culture in the country, considering that having a computer and
learning to use it are vital to contributing to the knowledge economy
that could drive Nigeria to the next level. Perhaps, we could begin to
look towards solving the reading culture problem through
information and communication technologies (ICT), and this would
mean that the government can begin to place owning a PC at the
heart of its strategy towards developing the reading culture in the
country.
 INTRODUCTION ….
Non-governmental organisations, individuals and even the
government can look towards PC adoption as a solution that seeks
not just to encourage a deep reading skill but also encourage an
adept use of technology. Computers have become a useful way of
learning and are capable of offering easier access to information
both on the internet and off the internet. Libraries can extend their
services to homes, and readers can have an enhanced experience,
especially with the hybrid computers also known as 2-in-1 which
can be viewed either as a tablet or as computers, making it easy to
transform them into an e-reader, or simply using them as a
computer.
 INTRODUCTION ….
It is inevitable that the future of the country is highly tied to owning
a PC, and reading a book is as essential. Fundamentally, a society of
readers can in the future translate into an economic growth, formed
from thoughtful learners. Considering that the two can be merged:
books and computers, do we now have any excuse not to improve
the reading culture in Nigeria?. According to Gbadamosi (2007),
reading culture evolves when an individual habitually and regularly
reads books and other information materials that are not necessarily
required for him to advance in his profession or career. Becoming a
skilled adaptive reader enhances the chances of success at school
and beyond
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
Divya et al, (2008) and Isaac et al, (2007) listed the following as
benefits:
Reading is an active mental process - unlike TV; books make one
to use his brain. By reading, one thinks more and becomes smarter.
It is a fundamental skill builder - Every good course on the planet
has a matching book to go with it.
Improves vocabulary - while reading books, especially
challenging ones, it exposes one to many new words that wouldn’t
be otherwise.
Gives a glimpse into other cultures and places - Books can expand
one’s horizons by letting him to see what other cities and countries
have to offer before visiting them.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Improves concentration and focus - Reading books takes brain
power. It requires a person to focus on what he is reading for long
periods.
 Builds self-esteem - it helps an individual to become better
informed and more of an expert on the topic read. This expertise
translates into higher self esteem.
 Improves memory - Reading although not a game, helps to stretch
memory muscles in a similar way. Reading requires details, facts
and figures.
 Improves discipline - To add book reading to a person’s daily
schedule and sticking to it, improves discipline.
 Learn anywhere - Books are portable and can be read anywhere,
as well as learn anywhere.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Improves creativity - By reading more books and being exposed
to new and more complete information, one’s creative ideas is
enhanced.
 Gives something to talk about - reading a lot of books equips one
with the ability to make contribution during discussions.
 Books are inexpensive entertainment – it is very easy to buy a
paperback for the price of a movie ticket.
 Easy to learn at one’s own pace - reading helps one to learn at his
own pace.
 Improves reasoning skills - reading helps a contractor with the
idea of a feasibility study before embarking on a project.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Builds expertise - reading many books on a subject for a long time
makes a person an authority in that subject area.
 Saves money - Apart from saving money on entertainment
expenses, reading books that help to develop skills saves money.
Reading books on how someone went bankrupt will be a warning
to another against repeating the mistakes.
 Decreases mistakes - when the deep and wide wisdom that books
can provide is utilised, the tendency to make mistakes is reduced.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Discovery of surprises - Reading more books as a source of
information, enhances learning things that were not looked for.
Since so many subjects intertwine it is almost impossible not to
learn something other than the book’s subject.
 Decreased boredom - one of the ways of eliminating boredom is
to pick up a book and read and one’s interest in the book’s subject
will make a difference.
 Can change your life - it helps to open one’s eye to a new way of
thinking. It helps to choose a life pattern and set the reader free
from old habitual thought patterns.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Can help break a slump - to be in a slump is uncomfortable. A
slump can be simply a lack of new ideas. Books are a great source
of ideas, big or small. Books on the portion of life one is slumping
will be very useful.
 Reduces stress - many avid readers unwind by reading. It is not
proper to move from work stress to home stress through the loud
TV news and adverts. Turning off the TV or computer and
picking up a book reduces stress.
 Gets you away from digital distraction - by spending more time
reading good books, a reader has less time for the plethora of
digital gadgets begging for attention.
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE TO THE
INDIVIDUAL
 Improved writing skills - reading does not only improve one’s
vocabulary and critical thinking, it makes him a better writer,
especially, when surrounded with books written by those better
than him. Regular reading no doubt improves writing skills.
 Making more money - A serious effort to read in one’s chosen
career, enhances expertise in that specialty will increase. When a
person becomes more specialized and learned, he joins a smaller
group of more qualified people. By being part of the small few
with the highest
BENEFITS OF READING CULTURE AT THE NATIONAL
LEVEL
Uhegbu (2007) noted that reading is the bedrock of national
transformation and development. He further stated that reading and
information are critical ingredients for national development
contributing immensely in the following areas
Educational enhancement,
Science and technology,
Manpower development
Promotion of National objectives
International Co-operation.
 CONSTRAINTS ON EFFECTIVE READING
CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETY.
Many factors are responsible for the decline in reading culture in our
society. According to the World Book Encyclopedia (1993) and
Sander (2007), some of these factors include:
Unfamiliarity with reading on the part of many children, students
and learners,
Inadequate development of reading skills,
lack of continuity with reading programmes on the part of the
teachers,
Language interference,
Poor economy and low standard of living,
The quest for money by parents who use their children to hawk
consumer items,
The acceptance of examination malpractices,
CONSTRAINTS ON EFFECTIVE READING
CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETY.
The increasing cost of publishing making it difficult for student to
have access to books, magazines, journals and news-papers.
Lack of adequate number of bookshops
Use of handouts instead of textbooks for students learning.
Distraction by the fallout from technological innovation in the
world today such as the advent of home videos and entertainment
media, games, gambling, etc has diverted the attention of youths
and children away from reading.
CONSTRAINTS ON EFFECTIVE READING
CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETY.
Inadequate funding of educational institutions including funding
of libraries, laboratories, workshops and computer units. A visit to
many of the libraries shows that the collections of libraries are
obsolete and irrelevant books that does not meet the needs of the
contemporary reading society.
Poor economy and low standard of living makes the government
and other bodies to give less attention to e-library development.
The acceptance of examination malpractice as an acceptable norm
in schools and the society at large makes children not to give much
attention to serious reading. As a result the children often
encounter many problems in life because they have not imbibed
reading culture at an early age.
 CONSTRAINTS ON EFFECTIVE READING
CULTURE IN OUR SOCIETY.
The increasing cost of publishing makes it difficult for school
children to have access to books, magazines, journals and news
papers.
Literacy apartheid and slavery. Most of the bookshops in the
country prefer shelving foreign authors. Even when Nigerian
authors approach them to sell their books, the bookshop owners
often turn them down. This is not acceptable for a developing
country like Nigeria.
ICT literacy in our society is still very low. In this post millennium
age, many people even among the youths that cannot handle ICT
and therefore; the ability to improve their reading culture with ICT
leaves much to be desired.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
It is a necessity to recognizing the central role in ICT, Library and
stakeholders in promoting a reading culture among learners. School
administrators in school with no bias for ICT and library should
ensure that they establish one It should be a Government policy to
ensure that all schools establish a ICT compliant environment with a
standard library.
 STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 ICTs should be used to promote reading in schools by allowing learners
to access a wide range of electronic information resources and
databases including stories and novels, talking books, audio-visuals,
etc.
 Considering the fact that the richness and quality of the library
provision depend upon qualified personnel available within and
beyond the school library, school administrators should advocate for
the position of ICT expert and Librarian to be included in their school
establishment
 Administrators in various schools should provide financial support as
well as other material resources for ICT equipments and school libraries
to be well equipped for both teachers and students to rely upon it as a
support facility for creating and promoting a reading culture.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Administrators should treat a ICT Centre and School Librarian as
a partner in teaching so that just like any subject in the school,
reading books can be part of the curriculum for the librarian not to
only read materials with learners but also help them reason on
materials they find in the library and teach them how to exploit
resources to become independent learners.
 There is also need to redesign the literacy education curriculum so
that it stipulates reading books in classrooms as compulsory.
 There is need to seriously promote reading culture in the
country, policy decision makers in the country should consider
building more libraries especially in residential areas including
hospitals and clinics where patients who are able to walk can read.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Offices and working places should have also libraries for
their workers. Parents should be sensitised on the importance
of their children to read even in a home environment. In fact,
they should be encouraged to make it a habit of buying books as
birthday gifts for the children as a way of encouraging children to
start reading from a very tender age.
 There is need for teachers including school administrators for
change of mind set to start valuing information and indeed
libraries in schools.
 School librarians should ensure that they acquire sufficient
and quality reading materials so that learners have access to a
wide variety of quality books to foster a reading culture among
Nigerian learners
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 It is also imperative for school librarians to equip their libraries
with suitable reading materials for every reading type, need and
interest for all learners so as to inspire interest, involvement and
confidence in reading.
 It is recommended that schools should also engage with
private public sector partnerships.
 Teachers and librarians should teach learners to associate reading
not only with tests, examinations and assignments but also
with pleasure, enjoyment, relaxation, self development and
advancement.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Incorporate literacy into your morning announcements. Student to
stop chatting and start listening to the announcements with a fun
literacy-themed component each day. Share a quote from a
favorite book or book trivia fact. Or, share a joke of the day to
build vocabulary and show students the fun of word play.
 School administrators should be literacy leaders, they set the tone
in a school in so many ways. Make sure authentically promoting
reading is one of them. Be that leader who’s always carrying a
book around, excited to talk about it with students. Be that
principal who invites students into your office to browse your
principal’s bookshelf or pick out a book to keep as a birthday
treat.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Connect student with authors. It’s so powerful for learners to
realize that books are created by real people. In-person author
visits can be expensive, but virtual visits are a fantastic option.
Author Kate Messner offers an extensive list of authors who
Skype with classes for free. Writing to authors can also be a
powerful exercise for learners.
 Expose students to various online site and give a lots of book
talks. Hearing someone rave about a book immediately makes it
more appealing.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Student should be exposed to different practices of reading and
reading material: This will help broaden their imagination and
engage in the practice of regular reading. In other words, the
provision of classroom libraries to the pupils expose them to a
wide range of books, magazines and other print and nonprint
materials through these activities pupils are likely to become more
exposed and encouraged to develop reading culture.
 Use of informal methods of reading rather than formal methods,
informal methods stimulate desire in the student to read. He noted
that this was done through storytelling and reading by the teacher
and by consulting books to find out things so that student could
associate books with pleasure and usefulness.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Organizes book fairs, exhibitions and book talks expose pupils
and teachers to a variety of information materials.
 Training of teachers: Teacher needs to be trained to teach pupils
how to read. These teaching methods change the student's
perception of reading as school work.
 Introducing books to children at their early stage in life: Redford
(2011) opined that the most effective strategy to develop reading
culture is to introduce books to the children at an early stage in
life. When a strong foundation is laid both in the school and at
home by the parents, the nation will surely metamorphose to a
reading society.
STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING READING
CULTURE IN NIGERIA
 Promoting reading as a pleasurable activity: Rosenberg (2003)
opined that reading should be promoted as a pleasurable activity,
which means that pupils must start to read for fun and not just
because they have to prepare for examination.
 Teachers should use more suitable teaching methods as a means
of promoting a reading culture.
 Give frequent book talks to highlight titles for learners
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT
It is evident that reading culture among Nigerians is gradually
diminishing. Nifade (2012) noted that many students never borrow
or read a book from their library throughout their stay in school. The
advent of Information Communication & Technology was seen as a
solution to the slow reading culture in the society. ICT is a diverse
set of technological tools and resources used to communicate,
create, disseminate, store, and manage information. Most children
fail to imbibe good reading culture when the reading materials are so
abstract. Hence, reading should be associated with pleasure. The use
of ICT facilities and audiovisual resources will help in bringing
abstract concepts into reality thereby helping children to identify
things in their real life environment.
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT
E-resources includes electronic journals, online databases (Agora,
Jstor, Ebscohost, Ajol, Hinari etc), electronic books, locally loaded
database, website, CDROM, electronic text, e-abstracting and
indexing databases such as MEDLINE, Enews, E-images, E-music
etc. These electronic resources are used mainly for reading and
research purposes.
It is opined that e-resources such as e-journal, e-books, CD ROM
databases, online databases and web-based resources when
effectively utilized constitute an important input in the information
services in libraries and they help in providing relevant information
required by students, which if properly utilized can help in
improving reading culture and improve academic excellence.
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT
Therefore, these categories of ICTs that use audio and video
technologies to disseminate information and enhance access to
recorded knowledge have been particularly identified as vital tool
among students for the promotion of reading culture.
 
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT
Recent survey in Uganda indicated that ICT improves reading. For
example Bruce said “There is a positive correlation between reading
and ICT. ICT has made access to reading materials 100% cheaper. It
helps when you are constrained by time or money.... I always load
data bundles worth UGX 2,000 and use that for a whole week and I
am able to download a lot of things. The print books are always very
old so at least what I find online is preferable to read.” Elaine also
said “To me ICT really has helped improve my reading. I wouldn’t
read even a quarter of what I read now if not for ICT…. printed
materials are too expensive compared to reading on the computer
screen”.
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT
In this case, ICT is seen as an enabler of reading; something that
makes access to reading materials more affordable and easier. The
inclination of most participants towards choosing to spend their
disposable income to purchase ICT resources instead of physical
reading materials can be explicated by the fact that they appreciate
that these ICT resources can enable them access even more
materials to read. Bruce however concluded by saying “The
University provides WiFi but there is a problem of electricity
outages [which is quite a common occurrence]. When power is off
and you want to access something online, you wish you had a hard
copy”.
 
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT

ICT has also gone a long way in facilitating social structure by

enabling communal reading, for example Oprah’s Book Club uses
ICT to keep many people together and engage them in communal
reading (Ofstad, 2005). Sites such as Amazon.com also enable
people to find books related to what they like reading by suggesting
them to buyers when they visit the site and also offer reviews that
persuade one to buy the books. One of the participants named Ian
during survey in Uganda once said when asked if he has ever
purchased a book online said “No I have never; I just check sites
like Amazon to see the latest books”. Only one participant indicated
that he had ever purchased a book online.
THE ROLE OF ICT IN IMPROVING READING
HABIT

This low trend is mostly attributed to underdeveloped infrastructure

to enable the purchase as Vivian stated when she said “I have never
purchased online, how do I even begin? Those people want debit or
credit cards which I don’t have. How do you purchase books online
by the way?” Internet bookselling has also availed the opportunity to
people to access almost all print books in digital format therefore
ICT can be seen as a catalyst for reading.
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Apart from Information Communication and Technology tools, the

responsibility of improving and developing reading culture in
Nigeria also rely on all stakeholders. This ranges from the family,
teachers, librarians, philanthropists, the media, religious bodies,
non-governmental organization to the government, etc. this can be
done through:-
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Provision of suitable reading materials (both online and offline)

and comfortable reading spaces in the schools
Provision of more public libraries and e-library in all nooks and
crannies of the country where reading can take place making
books and libraries easily accessible. Where it is not possible to
build a library, mobile library services should be provided by the
public libraries.
There is need for Government to support ICT savvy indigenous
publishers and authors. The cost of producing books should be
subsidize by the government to make it accessible to the populace
at a subsidize rate.
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Donation of books and funds to public and school libraries by

philanthropists , corporate organization, social clubs etc (e.g
TETFUND)
Revitalization of the ICT compliant university press. Many years
ago, many Nigerian universities used to have printing presses for
the production of tertiary books. This has subsequently died down.
Revitalizing such projects will go a long way in producing tertiary
books for higher institutions and subsequently improving reading
habits of students who are the future leaders of the country.
Establishment of e-libraries in primary schools which is the
foundation of lifelong reading habit.
Inclusion of reading and writing skills and information literacy in
the school curriculum
 RECOMMENDATIONS

Parents should be active readers and ICT literate

Parent should establish libraries at home where early reading
culture can begin. This should be done along religious instruction
in schools since Nigerians have a high regard and value for
religious instruction.
Formulation of enabling policies by government would enhance
and encourage reading culture in our society.
Parents and teachers should set out time for watching TV, playing
video games, chatting and browsing to avoid distractions from
reading.
National and public libraries in Nigeria should embark on
aggressive readership promotion campaigns. Nigerian citizens
should encourage everyone to endeavor to read a book a day.
 RECOMMENDATIONS

The various levels of governments should provide the desire

infrastructure such as ICT facilities like computers, audio visual
materials, stable power supply and e-resources that will improve
and enhance reading culture among the Nigerian populace,
particularly among children and youths who are the leaders of
tomorrow.
Tertiary Institutions should divert some of the finances they use to
buy physical books into subscribing to e-resources and ICT
infrastructure
 CONCLUSION

Reading culture is a social development that is essential and critical

for the sustenance and growth of any nation. A country is termed
developed when is able to provide qualitative life for its citizenry.
National development can be described as the overall development
of a nation. Reading is power and reading makes a man. Teach a
child to read and you have made a king. The place of reading in the
general development of man and his society is of great importance.
The economic, social and political health of our nation today
depends on building literate citizens that are able to read widely and
apply it practically for development. It is therefore a necessity to
make the present generation more aware of the benefits and
importance of reading and ensuring that they have the literacy skills
required in the modern society.
 CONCLUSION

This can be done through making a deliberate effort in inculcating

reading culture particularly among the youths who are the future
leaders of this country. Also the availability and accessibility of
relevant reading materials can also inspire learners’ interest,
involvement and confidence in reading. Books in local languages
can help sustain a reading culture among learners. Thus,
books of all categories such as fiction, general non-fiction,
specialist non-fiction and general education must be acquired and
made accessible through libraries. Furthermore, a variety of
literature will enlarge learners’ choices as they visit the libraries.
 CONCLUSION

The parents, teachers, non government agencies and governmental

agencies through the use of ICT, Libraries, formal and non formal
education agencies, religious bodies, etc. will go a long way in
improving the readings skills in our society.
 
 CONCLUSION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ_JPiXC5VU

VIDEO ON READING
CULTURE
 APPRECIATION

Thank you for Listening

Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi