Olori Bukola Ladoja Advocates for Literacy and Reading Culture in Nigeria

In an interview, Olori Bukola Ladoja, the President of the Reading Awareness Society for Development in Africa (RASDA), shared her commitment to enhancing literacy and the reading culture in Nigeria. She believes that every child should not only read but also understand and apply what they learn.

Ladoja’s passion for literacy stems from her observations of African children. Many do not attend school, while others struggle with reading just to pass exams. She emphasizes that children deserve more than this limited approach to education. Her goal is to build a generation of confident and informed leaders through strong reading skills.

Through RASDA, she has initiated programs like Read to Lead and the Book Clinic. These programs aim to address issues such as children spending too much time on screens instead of reading, and the lack of access to quality reading materials. She believes that practical solutions are needed to bring reading opportunities to children, especially in underserved communities.

One of her key initiatives, “One Child, One Book, One Week,” aims to ensure that every child in Ibadanland can read and understand a book each week. She hopes to create a culture where reading is a daily activity, not just something done before exams. This initiative is particularly crucial for children in remote areas who may not have books at home.

Ladoja also highlights the importance of mother-tongue education, stating that children learn better when taught in their native language. She argues that understanding concepts in a familiar language lays a strong foundation for learning. She believes that fluency in English does not equate to intelligence; rather, comprehension and critical thinking are what matter most.

Looking ahead, Ladoja envisions the RASDA Literacy Development Project for Ibadanland, which will focus on mobilizing communities and providing literacy support to children in need. She stresses the importance of collaboration among parents, schools, traditional leaders, and the government to make these efforts sustainable.

Ultimately, Ladoja hopes to leave a legacy of fostering a reading culture that empowers children to become true leaders. She dreams of a society where children read not just for exams, but for the joy of learning and understanding the world around them.