Last Monday, I launched this newsletter with a simple question: Do Nigerians really read? I wondered what kind of responses to expect. After all, this is a country where people often repeat the cliché: “If you want to hide something from a Nigerian, put it in a book.” But the responses I got surprised me, and I thank everyone who read and clicked the “reply” button.

The replies I got were as varied as the people who sent them. A few respondents challenged my position, passing a verdict that Nigerians do not read! One of them ended his intervention with a “Q.E.D.,” indicating that there was nothing else to say. Some people shared stories about their past relationships with books and reading, identifying how and where things went wrong and offering helpful advice on the importance of getting the next generation of Nigerians to read.

As I went through, one thing became clearer than ever: yes, Nigerians do read, but the way, and the places we read have changed dramatically. 

“We Read—Just Not Always Books.”

One reader told me they time on X threads and LinkedIn posts. They argued that these platforms are more engaging than picking up a traditional book. Another admitted that while they struggle to finish long novels, they devour news articles, blogs, and newsletters daily. 

Then some insisted that Nigerians still read, just not in the ways we once did. Someone pointed to the rise in, and preference for, self-help books, faith-based books (including fiction), and motivational literature. Others, in support of their position that Nigerians still read, identified the explosion of online reading clubs and book communities. Their message: reading is happening, but often outside the four corners of hardcover books! 

But people are still reading printed books! Afterall, the International Publishers Association reports that over 14,000 books were published in Nigeria’s N203 billion publishing industry in 2022. Also, as of the middle of August this year, Roving Heights, a leading Nigerian bookstore, has sold over 90,000 titles, spanning fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. 

However, several of the responders were honest about the decline in their reading. They claimed that life, work, family and the endless stream of social media notifications constantly detract from their ability to dedicate time to reading. And they all, without exception, miss the pleasure of the willing suspension of disbelief that good stories bring. 

This tells me that the problem is not a lack of interest, but a battle for attention. Effective reading requires stillness, focus, and patience, qualities that modernity and technology diminish, if not discourage. 

So, Where Do We Go from Here?

It is apparent that many of us understand the importance of reading, and many desire to get back to it. For these people, here are a few suggestions to get you back on track.

• Start small. Begin by reading flash fiction, short stories or essays that can reignite your interest and make you fall in love with reading again. Do it for a few minutes every day, and if you are consistent, it will add up quickly.
• Create a reading ritual. It could be a few pages or a chapter before you go to bed, or a few pages while having your morning tea. Listening to an audiobook during your daily commute is also not a bad idea. Such rhythm would help you get your groove back. 
• Find and stick to the type of reading you love. Do you prefer literary fiction or genre fiction, or is it a memoir or biography? Start with that, like a babe starts on milk. When your feet are firmer on the ground, you can easily move on to more solid formats. 
• Avoid distractions. Ignore your phone and social media for half an hour or however long you decide to read. You already utilise this discipline in other parts of your life; you should apply it in this area as well. 
• Finally, find a community that supports your desire. Join book clubs, take on reading challenges, or find an accountability partner. There’s joy and progress in sharing what we read; you won’t know until you experience it.

Essentially, the problem is not that people don’t read anymore; people just aren’t as intentional as they should be. And that is never too late. You can take the first step to conscious reading today by following the tips above. 

P.S.: I got some messages on how to get the next generation reading. Do you have opinions on this? Hit “reply” to share with me. I cannot wait to read from you.

Until next Monday,

Niran