Scholars blame AI, social media for declining reading culture

Academics have expressed concern over the declining reading culture among Nigerian youths, warning that growing dependence on social media and artificial intelligence is weakening critical thinking, reducing attention span and eroding moral values.

The scholars spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the public presentation of “My Take,” a book authored by Kunle Sodipo, held at Iwe Iroyin.

The Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Dr Kola Adeshina, said social media and AI-driven tools were worsening an already fragile reading culture among young people.

He said, “The distraction we have from social media, and now AI, has made the matter even worse. People must go back to reading.

That is why we made it a point of duty to be here today, to encourage this young man and to remind everyone that it is only by reading that you improve yourself.”

Adeshina warned that society risked surrendering creativity and independent reasoning to machines if urgent steps were not taken to reverse the trend.

“We are gradually handing everything over to machines. When we were growing up, we used our brains. Today, apps do the work. If we are not careful, we will hand over the world completely to machines,” he said.

He also called for a review of the education curriculum to restore humanities and moral instruction, noting that education should produce thinkers, not shortcut-seekers.

“Humanities must return, one that teaches students to think, reflect and question the impact of technology on society,” he added.

Another lecturer at Crescent University, Dr Peter Adebimpe, also lamented what he described as the abandonment of libraries by many young people.

He said, “The world now belongs to Gen Z, but they do not want to read. They have neglected the library. Even when you give them references, they will not read.”

Adebimpe stressed that knowledge of history remained essential to understanding present realities and shaping the future.

Related News The future of workplace communication in an AI-driven world

Tinubu pledges to deploy AI, emerging tech to combat insecurity

JUST IN: Tinubu orders probe of Google, Meta, X over news content exploitation

“You cannot separate yesterday from today. Yesterday helps you interpret today and predict the future,” he said.

The academics urged parents, teachers and policymakers to deliberately revive reading culture and strengthen the place of the humanities in education, warning that unchecked technological dependence could undermine intellectual and moral development.

The author of the book, Kunle Sodipo, said the work was inspired by his experiences outside Nigeria, which gave him a clearer perspective on national challenges and the need for citizen-driven solutions.

“I saw Nigeria like a very sick patient. We cannot pretend that all is well. It is not enough to criticise government or people; we must also offer solutions,” he said.

Sodipo explained that the 17-chapter book, divided into four sections, was designed to provoke national reflection on Nigeria’s condition.

“The question I am trying to answer is simple: Is Nigeria well? If you think Nigeria is well, explain why. If you think Nigeria is not well, offer your reasons,” he said.

He also announced that 50 per cent of proceeds from the book would be donated to support the less privileged, describing philanthropy as a personal conviction.

“I have observed that moments like this… should be shared with the less privileged. Fifty per cent will go into production… while the remaining fifty per cent will be used to give back to society,” he said.

Sodipo said he had previously supported inmates and out-of-school children, adding that service to humanity should be demonstrated through action rather than words.

“I love putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged. It’s my own way of preaching the gospel… what you do to people will drive them to what you believe in,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to engage the book constructively and embrace dialogue, responsibility and a stronger culture of giving back as part of nation-building.