By Prosper Okoye, Abuja
Nigeria needs leaders grounded in a culture of reading because literacy helps shape empathy, critical thinking and sound judgement, a children’s education advocate has said.
Speaking at the Book Hangout 2026 in Abuja to mark Children’s Day, the Director of Reconcilers Children’s Academy, Amanda Omachi, said exposing children to books from an early age helps prepare them for future leadership roles and civic responsibility.
The event, themed “Reading! One Language! Different Tongues!”, was organised by LaVie Readers Hub, Gem Hub Initiative and Reconcilers Children’s Academy on Saturday.
“The more you read, the more exposed your mind becomes. You learn empathy, patriotism and how the world works,” Omachi told participants and parents.
She said reading enables young people to look beyond their immediate surroundings and develop the broader perspectives needed for effective leadership.
“When people are not exposed through reading and leadership is placed on them, they tend to approach issues only from the perspective of their immediate environment. Reading gives you a broader picture,” she said.
Omachi said the organisers promote reading by ensuring children leave the programme with books and opportunities to continue developing reading habits at home.
She also stressed that literacy should not be limited to English, noting that children can benefit equally from reading in indigenous languages they understand.
“Reading is reading. It doesn’t have to be in English. As long as a child can read in a language they understand, it serves the purpose,” she said.
According to her, strengthening the reading culture among children could contribute to better leadership and national development in the future.
Some parents at the event expressed concern over what they described as a decline in reading culture among young Nigerians.
Walshak Myalshak, whose children participated in the programme, said many schools no longer provide the structured reading environment that existed when he was growing up.
“When we were in school, we had libraries and dedicated library days. You borrowed books, read them and discussed them. Reading was part of our lives,” he said.
He attributed the decline partly to the disappearance of libraries in many schools and the growing influence of social media and digital entertainment.
“Most children today spend their time on social media or playing games on phones. They are not exposed to reading the way we were,” he said.
Myalshak, however, noted that learning can take different forms, including documentaries and educational media, provided children continue to acquire knowledge and develop intellectually.
“It’s about the information you get and how you interpret it. It can come through reading, watching or listening. What matters is learning,” he said.
He praised the organisers for creating a social and engaging environment that encourages children to embrace books voluntarily.
Also speaking, participating student Nwankwo Chinazom described herself as an avid reader and said books allow young people to explore new ideas and perspectives.
“I prefer reading because it takes you to a whole different world. You get to explore different things through different perspectives,” she said.
The secondary school student said recent books she has read, including Half of a Yellow Sun, have broadened her understanding of literature and history.
Although she hopes to pursue a career in medicine and health economics, Chinazom said reading remains important to her personal development.
“It is helping me improve my English and cultivate the habit of reading. Even as a future medical doctor, I still need that skill,” she said.
The Book Hangout is part of ongoing efforts by literacy advocates to encourage reading among children and rekindle interest in books amid concerns about declining reading habits among young people.
Editor’s note: The story was already strong. The main edits were tightening language, removing repetition, improving flow, and changing a few phrases (“blamed the decline” to “attributed the decline”) to maintain a more neutral news tone.
