By Prosper Okoye
Nigeria needs leaders who are grounded in a culture of reading because literacy helps shape empathy, critical thinking and sound judgement, a children’s education advocate said on Saturday.
Speaking at the Book Hangout 2026 held in Abuja to mark Children’s Day, 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.
“The more you read, the more exposed your mind becomes. You learn empathy, you learn patriotism, and you understand how the world works,” Omachi told participants and parents.
She said reading allows young people to see beyond their immediate surroundings and develop broader perspectives needed for 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 organisers encourage 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 restricted to English, saying children could 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 reading culture among children could contribute to improved leadership and national development in the future.
Some parents at the event expressed concern over what they described as the decline of 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 blamed the decline partly on 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, said learning could 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 had read, including the novel Half of a Yellow Sun, had 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 over declining reading habits among young people.
