Education stakeholders have called on the federal government to subsidise the cost of books to encourage a reading culture that contributes to societal development.
Speaking during a press briefing on the book, The Kids Again Reading Competition organised by Good Luck Godwin Hayi, held in Abuja, the principal of Hillside School, Abuja, Mrs Ihuoma Anadu, highlighted that this initiative will enhance reading culture and close the gap of laziness to read among citizens.
She said, “One of the primary challenges is the availability of affordable books.
“To promote reading among children, books must be made available and accessible,” she said. “If books are expensive, not everyone can afford them. I don’t know how the government operates since I don’t work for them, but finding a way to subsidise the cost of books—whether locally published or imported—will ensure these resources reach children who need them most. That will make a significant difference.”
She expressed satisfaction with school competitions: “I am happy we have reached this milestone. This is something we have long hoped for, and it’s great to see it materialise.”
“Recall that on October 4th 2024, students from several schools in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were brought together in a healthy book review competition organised by the Coordinator of the ‘Book The Kids Again’ initiative, Mr Goodluck Godwin Hayi.”
She celebrated the success of Pearl Okereke, an SS2 student from Hillside School, who won one of the book review competitions organised by the Book the Kids Again initiative. The competition featured four schools in Abuja: Aduvie International, Olumawu, Stella Maris, and Hillside School.
She said: “I decided to speak with Pearl to understand the impact of this competition on her and other students. To be honest, it’s not just about students. Many Nigerians don’t read. There’s a popular saying: ‘If you want to hide something from a Nigerian, put it in a book.’”
She further reflected on the struggle to promote reading: “As a voracious reader, I know the immense benefits of reading. We’ve been striving to instil this habit in our students. Initiatives like this competition can spark a new wave of interest in reading. You learn so much from books. The cheapest way to travel is through the pages of a book, and it enriches every aspect of your life.”
Hillside School has also started in-house reading competitions, with plans to expand these into larger national contests.
Meanwhile, Pearl Okereke, an SS2 student, shared her perspective: “Reading has always been part of my daily life, but this competition made me realise how important it is to parents, schools, and organisations. It needs to be inculcated into the lives of Nigerian children.
“My win has enhanced my reading culture by showing me the rewards of reading and its transformative impact. The recognition has also inspired others in my school and family to read more.”
She praised the Book the Kids Again initiative: “Projects like the Book the Kids initiative are vital for Nigeria today, where reading is often undervalued. Many see it only as a means to pass exams rather than as a hobby or a way to improve mental health and interpersonal skills.
“This project can help revive a dying reading culture. While parents do their best to encourage reading, there’s always room for improvement. Initiatives like this should happen more frequently and receive better publicity to motivate students to read—not just for exams, but for personal growth and enjoyment.”
“In conclusion, the winners of the competition, Valerie Emasealu from Aduvie International School and 1st runner up, Pearl Okereke of The Hillside School Abuja, gave their personal opinion of the project and how they will live to partner to promote the reading culture among the young youths in the society.”
