The Federal Government has stated that plans are underway to ensure that former Nigerian presidents create functional libraries in schools across the country, as well as to encourage library endowment by private persons and corporations.
When Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, announced this in Abuja, he also disclosed that the National Policy on Library and Information Systems would be reviewed.
He spoke during the launch of the 2024 national readership promotion campaign, stressing that the Education for Renewed Hope Roadmap prioritises boosting literacy, instilling a love of reading in schools, and laying a solid foundation for future generations.
He emphasised that the education roadmap provided clear methods for improving library services in Nigeria which translates into improvement in reading culture of Nigerians.
According to him, some of these strategies included encouraging individual persons and corporate groups, including former presidents, to fund libraries and construct functional libraries in all schools.
He stated that the government would also encourage and engage authors and publishers to comply with quality assurance and assessment standards and criteria for educational resources, among other initiatives.
Mamman, who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abdullahi Zubairu, observed that the act of reading transcends the pages of a book, saying it is the gateway to lifelong learning, to acquiring the knowledge and skills that can prepare citizens to meet the challenges of the modern world.
Professor Veronica Anunobi, National Librarian/CEO of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), stated that the campaign will span 34 states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
She noted that while NLN continues the advocacy on all inclusive form of reading, it will be donating books and educational materials to primary and secondary schools, as well as to vulnerable groups, in support of their reading and learning journey.
“In a bid to “Catch Them Young,” this campaign prioritises pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.
She added: “In previous campaigns, we have reached Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Nigerian Correctional Centers, artisans, market groups, hospitals, and motor parks, underscoring our commitment to making reading accessible to every segments of the society thereby engendering inclusivity.
“Our efforts in reinvigorating reading among Nigerians are multi-faceted. We are advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools nationwide.
“Additionally, our state branches are actively establishing reading clubs nationwide. Specifically, 94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year.”
“We are also modernising the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating the existing ones.
“These branches are not only stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications but also with resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.
“Furthermore, our branches serve as reading hubs, both physically and virtually, with access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7, ensuring that Nigerians can engage with reading materials at any time while reading beyond boundaries,” Anunobi said.