Rahman Taofeeq, IBADAN
The Literacy Promotion Association of Nigeria (LiPAN) has called for greater investment in early childhood literacy, urging parents, teachers and government to strengthen reading habits among children as a foundation for lifelong learning and national development.
The association also cautioned parents against exposing young children excessively to digital devices, stressing that early literacy development requires deliberate parental guidance, effective classroom teaching and access to books.
The President of LiPAN, Prof. Nkechi Christopher, made the call during the association’s 20th Biennial Conference, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, from October 13 to 15, 2026.
The conference, themed “Early Literacy Development in Nigeria: Strengthening Foundations for Learning and National Development,” was organised in conjunction with the University of Ibadan’s Department of Communication and Language Arts and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), with support from the British Council Nigeria.
Christopher said literacy had become central to virtually every aspect of modern life, extending beyond the ability to secure employment to include the capacity to function effectively in society.
She maintained that every child should be introduced to reading and literacy skills early in life to establish a strong foundation for learning and personal development.
According to her, the early years of childhood offer a critical opportunity to develop reading habits, making it necessary for parents and educators to pay greater attention to children’s literacy development.
“Whatever we do in life now requires literacy,” she said, stressing that children should begin developing reading skills from an early age.
The LiPAN president also expressed concern over the growing exposure of children to digital screens, arguing that parents must take responsibility for regulating their children’s use of mobile phones, tablets and other electronic devices.
She questioned the practice of giving young children electronic devices without considering the possible consequences for their reading habits and learning development.
Christopher urged parents to prioritise activities that encourage reading and learning rather than relying on digital devices to keep children occupied.
She also called for improvements in the education system, noting that the presence of children in classrooms did not necessarily mean effective learning was taking place.
According to her, teachers must ensure that pupils actively learn in the classroom, while government must strengthen the school system to improve educational outcomes.
She added that parents would be more willing to invest in their children’s education when schools delivered quality teaching and effective learning.
Christopher cited developments in other African countries, including Rwanda, as examples of why Nigeria should examine its education system and consider reforms capable of improving the quality of public education.
Also speaking, the President of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria, Prof. Oyinkan Tasie, called for a renewed commitment to promoting reading culture across homes, schools and communities.
Tasie said developing a sustainable reading culture required deliberate efforts to transform these three environments, particularly by encouraging parents to invest time and resources in their children’s intellectual development.
He stressed that providing food and other material necessities for children was not enough, arguing that parents must also take an active interest in their children’s education and personal growth.
According to him, reading helps children develop resilience, independent thinking and the capacity to engage meaningfully with information, skills he said could be weakened when young people rely excessively on digital devices for answers.
Tasie also expressed concern over Nigeria’s large population of out-of-school children, identifying insecurity and the disruption of schooling as major challenges affecting access to education.
He urged political leaders and aspiring officeholders at the local, state and federal levels to make education a priority, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle.
He said voters should examine the capacity, resources and policy proposals of political candidates to determine who could effectively address the country’s educational challenges.
Tasie warned that children who missed out on education because of insecurity and other systemic challenges faced an uncertain future, stressing the need for urgent and sustained intervention.
He called for coordinated action by government, families and communities to improve access to education and strengthen reading habits among Nigerian children.