World Book Day: TYBLI Calls for Action to Improve Children’s Reading Culture

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI) has called for urgent and deliberate action by parents and stakeholders to improve reading culture among Nigerian children, warning that growing dependence on digital media is weakening literacy habits.

The appeal was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference to flag off the initiative’s 2026 activities, held as part of events marking World Book Day.

Observed annually, World Book Day was established by UNESCO to promote reading, encourage access to books and highlight the importance of literature in education and development.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of TYBLI, Dr. Elizabeth Ben-Iheanacho, said the rapid expansion of social media and digital platforms has significantly altered children’s learning patterns, often to the detriment of reading.

“There is no doubt that every day we are all faced with growing challenges. The challenges of yesterday are nothing compared to what we have tomorrow,” she said, stressing the need for society to respond proactively.

She noted that while technology has made access to information easier, it has also introduced distractions that compete with books and structured learning.

“You cannot wish away social media, but you can domesticate it and make it serve your purposes,” she said.

Ben-Iheanacho warned that many parents now allow children unrestricted access to mobile devices and online content, a trend she described as harmful.

“In the past, there were defined limits to children’s exposure to media. Today, those limits are gone, and what is often seen as sophistication is, in reality, causing damage,” she said.

According to her, such exposure not only weakens reading habits but also accelerates children’s exposure to adult content and experiences.

She emphasised that reversing the decline in reading culture requires conscious effort, particularly from parents.

“It is not just about government regulation. Parents must take responsibility for what their children are exposed to,” she added.

The TYBLI chairman also drew attention to the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping information consumption, warning that without proper guidance, it could further distort learning patterns.

She reiterated that TYBLI remains committed to promoting reading through targeted literary interventions focused on young people.

Since its establishment in 2024, the initiative has deployed eight mobile “Book Box” libraries in secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa and Kaduna states to improve access to books.

She added that the TYBLI Young Adult Literature Prize has continued to gain traction, with entries rising from 51 in 2024 to 101 in 2025.

The initiative also recognises contributions to youth literature through its Young Adult Literature Pioneers and Illustrators Award, which has honoured writers such as Cyprian Ekwensi and Mohammed Sule.

Ben-Iheanacho further announced an increase in the grand prize for the 2026 edition of the competition to ₦2 million, up from ₦1.5 million in 2025.

She outlined key activities for the year, including the call for submissions in May, placement of additional Book Boxes in June, release of the longlist in September, shortlist on October 1, and the awards ceremony on October 31.

She expressed appreciation to stakeholders and supporters of the initiative, including its principal patron, Tukur Yusufu Buratai, for sustaining its programmes.

The event formed part of activities marking World Book Day 2026, with renewed calls for coordinated efforts to rebuild a strong reading culture among Nigerian children.