National Librarian Bags Champion of Reading Award, Charges Young Nigerians to Embrace Reading
READ ALSO: Mothers as Gold, Fathers as Mirrors: Lessons from the Ballon d’Or
The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Veronica Anunobi, has been honoured with the Champion of Reading Award at the opening ceremony of the 5th National Conference on Reading and Annual General Meeting of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Promoters (NBRP).
The award, presented in recognition of her tireless commitment to promoting the culture of reading in Nigeria, drew applause from participants who hailed her as a leading advocate for intellectual development and literacy in the country.
Speaking after receiving the award, Professor Anunobi used the platform to deliver a passionate charge to Nigerians—particularly young people—on the need to rediscover the joy and discipline of reading. She lamented that the reading culture in Nigeria has witnessed significant decline over the years, a situation that has negatively impacted not only education but also the nation’s creative, cultural, and intellectual development.
“Reading is not just about passing examinations or obtaining certificates. It is about developing the mind, strengthening the intellect, and broadening one’s worldview. When you read, you are investing in your brain and your future,” she declared.
The National Librarian also expressed concern about the disconnection that exists between publishers and their audience in Nigeria. According to her, while many publishers put in the work to bring out new titles, there is often a lack of structured collaboration with bookshops, schools, libraries, and other institutions to effectively get those books into the hands of readers.
“It is not just enough to publish books and dump them on the laps of the authors or the bookstores. There must be deliberate partnerships. Publishers and booksellers must see themselves as allies in sustaining the business of books. The more people are reading, the more books are sold, and the healthier the sector becomes,” she said.
Professor Anunobi stressed that rebuilding Nigeria’s reading culture cannot rest on isolated efforts. Rather, it demands a multi-sectoral approach where authors, publishers, booksellers, schools, government institutions, and libraries all play their roles in ensuring access, promotion, and sustained interest in books.
Directing her charge particularly to students and young Nigerians, Professor Anunobi urged them to reduce the amount of time spent on television, social media, and other distractions, and instead cultivate a lifelong love for books.
Drawing from her personal experience, she gave the example of her 9-year-old granddaughter, who prefers reading physical books to spending long hours on screens. This, she said, demonstrates that the younger generation can indeed be guided into valuing books if parents, teachers, and guardians make the effort.
“Read! Read like your lives depend on it. When you read, you are training your mind to think critically, to imagine, to analyze, and to create. That is how great minds are built,” she told the students.
She also emphasized that despite the availability of digital formats, the place of the hard copy book remains irreplaceable. “There is nothing like holding a book in your hand, flipping through its pages, and immersing yourself in its world,” she added.
Professor Anunobi also seized the opportunity to address a growing concern—the increasing reliance of students and young professionals on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for reading, writing, and research. While acknowledging that AI has its benefits in improving efficiency, she warned that overdependence on such technologies can gradually erode the human capacity for independent thought.
“Do not allow Artificial Intelligence to think for you. When you let machines do your reading and writing, you are killing your ability to think critically. You must first train your mind to process information, to argue logically, and to express yourself clearly. AI can be a tool, but it must never replace the human brain,” she cautioned.
Her warning comes at a time when debates are raging globally about the impact of AI on education and creative industries. For her, the danger is clear: without discipline and balance, young people risk outsourcing their intellectual growth to machines, thereby weakening their originality and problem-solving abilities.
Professor Anunobi concluded by linking the reading culture to Nigeria’s broader development goals. A society that does not read, she argued, cannot produce the thinkers, innovators, and leaders needed for meaningful transformation.
“No nation can rise above the quality of the knowledge of its people. Reading is the foundation for research, innovation, governance, and creativity. If we want a Nigeria that works, we must first build a Nigeria that reads,” she said.
The event, which drew educators, writers, librarians, publishers, students, and literacy advocates from across the country, served not only as a recognition of her efforts but also as a clarion call to reawaken a dwindling culture. Participants left the conference charged with a renewed commitment to championing books and reading in their respective spheres of influence.
As the applause settled after her speech, one point lingered with undeniable urgency: Nigeria must read—or risk losing the ability to think.