Academics have expressed concern over the declining reading culture among Nigerian youths, warning that increasing reliance on social media and artificial intelligence (AI) is eroding critical thinking, shortening attention spans and weakening moral values.
The scholars made the remarks during the public presentation of "My Take," a book authored by Kunle Sodipo, held at Iwe Iroyin in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking at the event, the Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Crescent University, Abeokuta, Dr. Kola Adeshina, said the widespread use of social media platforms and AI-powered tools had further weakened an already fragile reading culture among young people.
"The distractions created by social media, and now artificial intelligence, have made the situation even worse. People must return to reading because it is through reading that individuals develop themselves intellectually," he said.
Adeshina cautioned that excessive dependence on technology could diminish human creativity and independent reasoning if deliberate efforts were not made to reverse the trend.
"We are gradually handing everything over to machines. When we were growing up, we relied on our brains to solve problems. Today, applications perform many of those tasks for us. If we are not careful, we may eventually surrender everything to machines," he warned.
He also advocated a review of Nigeria's education curriculum to strengthen the teaching of humanities and moral education, stressing that schools should nurture critical thinkers rather than students seeking shortcuts.
According to him, humanities education remains essential in helping learners analyse issues, reflect on societal developments and understand the broader implications of technological advancement.
Also speaking, a lecturer at Crescent University, Dr. Peter Adebimpe, lamented what he described as the growing neglect of libraries by many young people.
"The world now belongs largely to Generation Z, but many of them no longer have the appetite for reading. Even when reference materials are provided, they often choose not to consult them," he said.
Adebimpe emphasised the importance of history in helping individuals understand present realities and make informed decisions about the future.
"You cannot separate yesterday from today. Understanding history enables us to interpret current events and make better predictions about the future," he said.
The scholars called on parents, educators and policymakers to intentionally revive reading habits among young Nigerians while strengthening the place of the humanities within the country's education system.
They warned that unchecked dependence on digital technologies could undermine intellectual development, creativity and moral values among future generations.
Author of the book, Kunle Sodipo, said "My Take" was inspired by his experiences outside Nigeria, which provided him with a broader perspective on the country's challenges and the need for citizens to contribute to national development.
"I saw Nigeria as a very sick patient. We cannot continue pretending that everything is fine. Beyond criticising government or society, we must also propose practical solutions," he said.
Sodipo explained that the 17-chapter book, divided into four sections, was written to stimulate national reflection and encourage constructive conversations about Nigeria's future.
"The central question the book seeks to answer is whether Nigeria is truly well. Whatever your position, you should be able to justify it with facts and possible solutions," he said.
The author also announced that half of the proceeds from the sale of the book would be dedicated to supporting disadvantaged members of society, describing philanthropy as a personal commitment.
According to him, the remaining proceeds would be used to fund further production of the book.
Sodipo said he had previously supported prison inmates and out-of-school children, stressing that genuine service to humanity should be demonstrated through meaningful actions rather than words alone.
He encouraged Nigerians to engage with the book thoughtfully while embracing dialogue, civic responsibility and a stronger culture of giving as essential ingredients for national development.
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