By David Onwuchekwa
Curious observation in today’s Nigeria shows that the once-thriving culture of reading is quietly fading, and a major culprit is the ubiquitous Android phone and the elder brother, Internet.
Once a symbol of empowerment and access to information, smartphones are now increasingly seen as a distraction, especially for the younger generation.
Social media, instant messaging, and endless streams of entertainment have replaced the quiet, immersive act of reading books. Students and even other categories of people don’t read books anymore.
The consequences are far-reaching. For one, attention spans have shrunk. The average young person today struggles to stay focused on a book for more than a few minutes, preferring the rapid-fire format of TikToks, memes, and WhatsApp messages. This reduced attention span is not just a social issue, it’s affecting cognitive development.
Critical thinking, comprehension, and even the ability to engage in thoughtful conversations are on the decline rapidly.
We see the impact in our classrooms too. Students read less, write poorly, and struggle with grammar and vocabulary. The foundational skills that reading develops such as imagination, empathy, and reflection are slowly being eroded.
Worse still, local literature, proverbs, and moral stories that carry our cultural identity are being sidelined. The erosion of reading culture is not just educational; it’s cultural.
But this trend is not irreversible. If technology has contributed to the problem, it can also be part of the solution. There are Nigerian-made apps like OkadaBooks and Bambooks that offer affordable and accessible e-books. Schools need to prioritize reading not just as a subject, but as a lifestyle through book clubs, debates, and reading competitions.
Parents and community leaders must also play a role. A child who sees adults around them reading is more likely to pick up the habit. Public campaigns, supported by government and Non Governmental Organizatios, can revive interest in reading through storytelling events, library support, and free book distributions.
Of truth, we must speak the language of today’s youth, digital. Why not use influencers and social media to promote reading as something smart, cool, and socially relevant? Reading challenges, short book reviews on TikTok, or Instagram Lives with authors could reignite curiosity.
It should be understood that we are not fighting against Android phones or Internet. We’re fighting for balance. A society that reads is one that thinks, questions, and grows. The earlier we realize this, the better for our future and development efforts.
