By Aondoyima Joseph Igba.
As the proliferation of technology-driven platforms such as Netflix, Instagram, Artificial Intelligence, Facebook, Video-games among many others have come to stay, students nowadays find it very difficult to give significant part of their time to studies.
They prefer investing much of their time in activities such as WhatsApp, Facebook and chatting with their friends and loved ones on social media platforms while leveraging AI applications to solve academic tasks, making them become even more unproductive as one cannot give what he doesn’t have.
Nigerian students continue to grapple with the challenges of development, a more insidious threat has emerged which is the decline in reading habits among its students. This trend is not only alarming but also has far-reaching implications for the country’s future.
The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Reading is the foundation upon which all learning is built, and it is essential for academic success. Through reading, students acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and improve their communication abilities. However, many Nigerian students are not developing these essential skills due to poor reading habits.
A 2023 report by the Federal Ministry of Education revealed that a significant percentage of Nigerian students struggle with reading comprehension, attributing this to a declining reading culture. Many students only read to pass exams or complete assignments, rather than for pleasure or personal enrichment. This approach to reading is not only limiting but also detrimental to academic success.
A study conducted among undergraduates in Delta State Universities found that only 31% of respondents read novels, indicating a low engagement with extensive reading materials. On the other hand, research on secondary school students in Ondo State showed that while 81.8% read text books, only 31% engage with novels, suggesting limited reading beyond academic requirements.
These findings underscore a concerning trend of limited reading habits among Nigerian students, which may impact their academic performance and personal development.
Against this backdrop, in his words, a Lecturer at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Dr. Benjamin Ogbu asserts that “Poor reading habits among Nigerian students have led to a decline in academic performance, as students struggle to comprehend complex texts and retain information.”
Contributing to the consequences of poor reading habits among Nigerian students, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, a Lecturer at Bayero University, Kano puts it this way, “The lack of reading culture among Nigerian students is a major concern, as it hinders their ability to think critically and solve problems”
Additionally, the effects of poor reading habits on Nigerian students are far-reaching. Students who do not read regularly struggle to comprehend complex texts, leading to poor academic performance. They also lack the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and form informed opinions.
Furthermore, poor reading habits can lead to lack of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills, all of which are essential for success in the 21st century.
It’s commonplace as you see tertiary institution students going to read during examination period only, with some doing Till-Day-Break (TDB) on campus.
Speaking with a student from Benue State University, Cosmos Magaji said, ” I don’t read regularly, this is as a result of not having enough food in my stomach that will sustain my reading process. When I’m hungry, I lose reading appetite completely” he said.
Jeremiah Awuapila also a university student said “My problem with regular reading is that, I don’t have somebody that can motivate me to read all the time. Good reading habit is accompanied with motivation which could either come from external influence where people gifts you material things, and internal factor, where your parents, relatives etc give you words of encouragement among other things as a way of reinforcement “
Also speaking, a retired classroom teacher, Sylvester Tarnzughur expressed his displeasure over the poor reading culture among students. “I wonder what the students of nowadays shall stand to offer the generation to come when they become teachers tomorrow.In fact, virtually nothing they will have to inculcate into these children growing up because of the care-free attitude they give towards education. All they are concerned with is to play bet9ja, roam about the street without a preferred direction. “
To address this problem, parents, teachers, and educators must first model good reading habits themselves. They must demonstrate love for reading and learning, and encourage students to do same.
Additionally, schools and libraries must provide access to a wide range of reading materials, including fiction, non-fiction, and digital resources. Also, policymakers must prioritize literacy and education, allocating sufficient resources to support reading initiatives and programs.
The decline in reading habits among Nigerian students is a ticking time bomb that threatens the country’s future. It is imperative that we act collectively to promote a culture of reading and learning in Nigeria. By doing so, we can empower our students to succeed academically, professionally, and personally while building a brighter future for our nation.
