ABEOKUTA – The Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Dr. Kola Adeshina, has raised concerns over the declining reading culture among Nigerian youths, warning that excessive dependence on social media and artificial intelligence is eroding critical thinking and intellectual development.
Speaking during the public presentation of My Take, a book authored by Comrade Kolapo Sodipo at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Abeokuta, Adeshina said the growing obsession with platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has significantly reduced young people’s attention span and weakened their interest in books.
According to him, reading remains the foundation of knowledge acquisition and personal development, stressing that no one can become a successful writer or intellectual without cultivating the habit of reading. He noted that while technology offers numerous advantages, it should not replace the discipline of learning through books and independent thinking.
The university don also advocated the reintroduction of moral education and humanities into the nation’s school curriculum, arguing that children require deliberate moral and intellectual guidance from an early age. He lamented that many students now seek quick success without embracing hard work, classroom learning and academic discipline.
Adeshina urged parents and teachers to deliberately nurture children’s reading habits and expose them to history, saying an understanding of the past is essential for interpreting present realities and preparing for the future.
Earlier, author of My Take, Comrade Kolapo Sodipo, said the book was inspired by his desire to offer practical solutions to Nigeria’s numerous socio-economic and governance challenges rather than merely criticising the country’s leadership.
Sodipo, who disclosed that he has written over 200 articles published across Nigeria, Africa and other parts of the world, explained that his travels outside the country broadened his understanding of nation-building and the responsibilities of citizens in developing a prosperous society.
Describing Nigeria as a patient in need of urgent attention, he said the book examines key national issues, including security, governance and the economy, while proposing solutions that could contribute to national development if embraced by policymakers and citizens.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could regain global respect if deliberate efforts are made to strengthen its economy, improve security, promote responsible leadership and encourage citizens to play active roles in nation-building.
