Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed deep concern over the “poor” reading habits of Nigerian youths, warning that the decline could strip the country of its rich literary legacy.
Speaking at a high-profile dialogue organized by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) in Abuja on the 22nd of February, 2025, Obasanjo addressed the theme ‘The Writer’s Role in Nation-Building and Africa’s First Presidential Library.’
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s wealth of literary icons whose works have gained global acclaim, the younger generation is failing to embrace the art of reading.
The elder statesman underscored the urgent need for young writers to close the widening generational gap in the literary space. He stressed that reading remains the foundation of writing, yet “many youths are not harnessing the opportunities provided by the internet.”
Obasanjo issued a stark warning: if this reading decline persists, Nigeria risks raising “uninformed” and “incompetent” leaders in the years to come. “Nigeria is blessed with good writers who have used their craft in nation-building, and one of the most distinguished authors is Chinua Achebe,” he noted.
“He exposed Nigeria to the world and used his writings to elevate Nigeria’s culture, particularly his own culture.”
Commending ANA for spearheading initiatives that ignite literary passion among young Nigerians, Obasanjo’s remarks were echoed by former lawmaker Shehu Sani, who also decried the nation’s dwindling reading culture.
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Chukwudi Eze, ANA’s chairman, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of literary minds through mentorship programs.
He hailed Obasanjo’s participation as “a motivation to the association, especially for young creative minds.”
The event was a vibrant celebration of literature, featuring engaging panel discussions, soul-stirring spoken word performances, poetry recitals, and the presentation of prestigious awards.