Abuja: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarms over the increasing decline in reading habits among young Nigerians, warning that this trend could potentially undermine the nation’s rich literary heritage. He voiced his concerns during his speech at the monthly ‘Reading/Writers Dialogue’ organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), FCT chapter, held on Saturday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Obasanjo, who served as the guest writer for the February edition of the dialogue themed ‘The Writers’ Role in Nation-Building and Africa’s First Presidential Library’, emphasized the importance of nurturing young writers to bridge generational gaps in Nigeria’s literary landscape. He highlighted that while Nigeria boasts a legacy of renowned literary figures celebrated globally, the dwindling reading culture among youths poses a significant threat to this heritage.
Obasanjo pointed out that reading is essential for developing competent writers and informed leaders, yet many young Nigerians are not engaging in serious reading despite having easy access to information through the internet. He cautioned that if this trend continues unchecked, it could result in a future leadership crisis characterized by uninformed and ineffective leaders.
He stressed the need for initiatives that encourage children to read, particularly in the digital age, asserting that “a reader is a leader,” and underscored the contributions of Nigerian writers like Chinua Achebe in elevating Nigeria’s cultural and literary stature. The former president also praised the ANA FCT chapter for their efforts in inspiring young Nigerians to embrace reading and writing.
During the event, Obasanjo shared insights from some of his books, including ‘My Command’, ‘This Animal Called Man’, ‘Not My Will’, ‘A New Dawn’, ‘Democracy Works’, and ‘Making Africa Work’, among others.
Earlier, Senator Shehu Sani, a noted author and human rights activist, commended Nigerian authors for their role in driving societal change through their literary works. He lamented the reduced reading culture among the younger generation, attributing it to the influence of the internet, which, while informative, has discouraged traditional reading and research.
Arch. Chukwudi Eze, Chairman of ANA Abuja, reiterated the association’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading and writing among young scholars through their mentorship programs. He expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for participating in the event, acknowledging his contributions to Nigeria both as a leader and a writer.
The event featured a panel discussion, spoken-word performances, poetry, and the presentation of awards, celebrating the contributions of writers in shaping the narrative for a better Nigeria.