CAUSES OF THE DYING READING CULTURE IN NIGERIA

The dying reading culture in Nigeria is a worrisome social phenomenon which requires urgent remedy, because bringing to bear positive charge in this regard, to a large extend, can help Nigeria achieve sustainable development. Undoubtedly, there is a significant relationship between a 'reading cultured society' and literacy, as well as a literate society and sustainable development. A literate society is one which is mostly composed of or made up of highly educated citizens. 

As stated in previous posts, the benefits of having a literate society are quite enormous, including having a lawful, stable and orderly society, adequate political inclusion through having informed, enlightened and politically active citizens in terms of participation (politically exposed persons - PEP), and appreciation of government's programmes (public policies), which results to having high maintenance culture - what Nigeria is seriously lacking at the moment. Another benefit of a literate society is having citizens who are honest, truthful (because formal and modern education through the adoption of scientific methodology, seeks to always establish and maintain absolute truth), as well as seeking to maintain freedom, equality and justice (liberty) - essential ingredients needed to achieve development in the society.

During the colonial and pre-independent era, Nigeria had it good in the educational sector, it affected tremendously the educated populace. In fact, the country witnessed a high reading culture, perhaps, it was the result of the high standard of education, a striking opposite of what is obtainable today - the standard of education in Nigeria currently, is abysmally poor, a serious and urgent surgical operation is needed to make a meaningful reversal. There are lots of factors responsible or attributed to the dying reading culture in the country. The include the following:

I. Poor/lack of censorship 

ii. Advancement in technology 

iii. Misplaced priority: monetization and commercialization 

iv. Poor/low standard of living 

v. Promotion of examination fraud 

vi. Poor reward system 

(i) POOR/LACK OF CENSORSHIP

The existence of poor censorship by relevant authorities is a huge factor in the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Because of this inadequacy, low quality contents and half-baked ideas, which make reading uninteresting, are often published, contributing to the dwindling reading populace in the country. From observation, books and other reading materials published nowadays, lack high quality contents and deficient in knowledge based, compare to how it was in the past. In fact, so many books being published do not pass through the scrutiny of the relevant authorities, and so many unqualified persons have picked the wrong profession, often motivated by monetary gains, not seeing writing as a calling, first and foremost, which it's ethics ought to be strictly adhered to. Bring seen as all-comers-affairs, based on the factors outlined above, that is why people out of impatience and greed, will published what is unfit for public consumption (reading).

(ii) ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY 

Advancement in technology has made reading in Nigeria less fashionable, as a result of its enticing nature. Nowadays, a phone (hand-set) has almost the same features and performs almost the same functions as a computer. Audio, video, game materials and the emergence of social media, which have really draw the interest of most Nigerians and digressed their attention from reading, which was a veritable hubby in the past. So many people now spend most of their time watching videos of interest, playing games or doing some other things on the internet which do not promote reading and personal development. Sadly, those activities are for enjoyment and entertainment purposes.

(iii) MISPLACED PRIORITY: 'MONETIZATION' AND 'CONMERCIALIZATION'

Placing priority on monetization and commercialization of ideas and text contents publishing, resulting in low value and low baked production, has greatly contributed to the dying reading culture in Nigeria. Reading becomes non fascinating or captivating because the contents are no longer worthy of affecting and moulding the character of readers, the way it ought to. Writing which ought to be a calling, suddenly became all-comers-affairs, because the motivating factor is money, especially now the internet has presidented advanced technological platforms for publishing ideas, highlighting the deficiencies and inadequacies iexisting in censorship.

(iv) POOR/LOW STANDARD OF LIVING 

So many Nigerian citizens cannot afford three square mill per day let alone affording books that could enhance the cultivation of reading culture. The low standard of living, according to the April 2025 World Bank Reports, shows that about 160 million Nigerians representing a high number of the populace who are living below the poverty line of $2.15 per day (i.e. the average income per head or income per Capita). This is not a good omen for the country, as the dying reading culture has become one of it's multi-plier effects.

(v) PROMOTION OF EXAMINATION FRAUD

The affected citizens in this category are mainly students, although labourers/workers are not exempted. Examination fraud is undisputedly at an alarming rate, and very little is being done to put a stop to it. Students have become oblivious of the fact that reading (studying) is the main and basic characteristics of studentship.As a result of exploring illegitimate ways of passing examination, reading has become less fashionable. Without reading, the essence of going to school is absolutely lost. The development where examination fraud is highly promoted instead of combating it, contribute immediately in killing reading culture in Nigeria.

(vi) POOR REWARD SYSTEM 

When citizens lack motivating force which ordinarily should be derived from having a good reward system, because hard work no longer pays. In this context, several ways of achieving one's dreams or goals in life exist, by cutting corners or through illegitimate means, instead of personal development which mostly occurs by intensive reading. In other words, inability of Nigeria to reward hard work is the leading cause of the dying reading culture. For example, interview has ceased to become the main yardstick for appraising job applicants. Similarly, promotion examination which used to be a norm before a worker is elevated, is fast becoming secondary. The slogan now is, who do you know, rather than what do you know and what can you do.