PROMOTING READING CULTURE IN THE NIGERIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

The study explores the concept of reading culture and decline of the culture in the Nigerian society.The study adoted a theoritical approach and relied totally on existing literature. The consequences of the decline in the reading includes anti-social  behaviour,delinquency, school violence,bullying, hacking computers and even examination malpractices, children with poor reading skills receive poor  grades at school get easily distracted and frustrated , have behaivour problems seem to dislike  school and often fail to develop their full potential. The study highlighted some government initiatives targeted at reviving reading habits in Nigeria which includes Lagos State Government Reading , Bring Back the Book campaign, Lagos  Book Fair and Reading Clinic.The study therefore recommendeds some way forward that will help in reversing the trend  such excursions to libraries, exhibition,Government should  take a bold step to increase the production of textbooks to reach the target figure of five textbook per pupil; revival of the school's literacy and debating societies and teaching of arts and literature etc. The paper concludes that reading culture should be encouraged not onlyin school but the society at large.