National Library of Nigeria Commences Nationwide Campaign on Reading Culture

As part of efforts to promote reading culture in Nigeria, the Federal Government has pledged to provide an enabling environment and access to reading materials across the country.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman made the pledge in Abuja at the commencement of the National Library of Nigeria 2024 Readership Promotion Campaign.
The Readership Promotion Campaign is an annual event aimed at instilling the habit of reading in Nigerians with special focus on the vulnerable and those in the rural areas.
While inaugurating the exercise in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman who described reading as the gateway for life-long learning and personal development, said the federal government was committed to removing barriers and encouraging more Nigerians to embrace the reading culture to acquire knowledge and skills for self reliance.
The Minister, of Education represented by the Director, Special Duties in the Ministry, Mr. Zubairu Abdullahi, explained that strategies had been mapped out in the education road map 2024 to 2027 to achieve the goal.
“Some of these strategies are:
To review the National Policy on Library and Information System;
To complete the National Library of Nigeria Headquarters building complex in Abuja;
To increase budgetary allocation for library development;
To recruit and deploy qualified and certified Librarians and Library Officers to manage libraries and resource centres, especially at the basic and post-basic education levels;
To Encourage and promote indigenous library management software;
To encourage library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies, e.g. former Presidents To establish functional libraries in all schools and
To encourage and engage authors and publishers to comply with standards and criteria for quality assurance and assessment of educational resources among other strategies.”
The National Librarian, Professor Veronica Anunobi who spoke on the theme for this year’s Readership Promotion Campaign, which is “Reading without Boundaries: a Renewed Hope” explained that the agency was adopting a multifaceted and holistic approach to ensure that every Nigerian had access to reading materials irrespective of their background, age, location, health condition or content preference.
“2024 RPC focuses on promoting reading through various lenses:
Leveraging technological devices to cater to diverse interests and enhance accessibility and inclusiveness.
Utilizing multi-dimensional resources that extend beyond one’s professional sphere, thus fostering a broad-based understanding that boosts productivity and personal growth.
Encouraging the use of materials in local languages, including mother tongues and other dialects, to promote , revitalise and preserve linguistic heritage.
Promoting leisure reading as a tool for longevity, healthy living, and recreational fulfillment.”
She advocated the declaration of a National Reading Day and the re-introduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.
The National Librarian explained that the move would help stimulate interest for reading in the students.
Professor Anunobi stated that during the exercise which would be carried out in 34 states across the country and the Federal Capital Territory, books and educational materials would be donated to primary and secondary schools, as well as to vulnerable groups, in support of their reading and learning journey.
PATIENCE OLUMATI