Makinde And The Decline Of Reading Culture In Oyo State || By David Oluokun
How the Alleged Conversion of Oyo State Library Board Land at Dugbe into Shopping Malls and a Private Car Park Has Killed Reading Culture in Oyo State
Oyo State was once celebrated as one of Nigeria’s foremost centres of intellectual advancement, academic excellence and literary development. Ibadan, in particular, occupies a prominent place in the country’s educational history as the home of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria’s premier university, and a city that nurtured generations of scholars, writers, researchers and public intellectuals.
However, concerns have emerged over the state of public library infrastructure and the government’s priorities regarding the preservation of educational facilities. At the centre of this controversy is the reported conversion of land and facilities belonging to the Oyo State Library Board at Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and a private car park.
If the property was indeed converted from its original educational purpose without adequate public consultation and a transparent explanation of the decision, the development raises fundamental questions about the value the present administration places on public education, literacy and access to knowledge.
This is not merely a question of land use. It is a question of priorities. It is about whether commercial interests should take precedence over public institutions established to promote intellectual development and improve the educational prospects of future generations.
A LIBRARY PROPERTY UNDER COMMERCIAL PRESSURE
Public libraries occupy a distinctive position in society. They are not simply buildings containing books; they are essential institutions that provide access to information, encourage independent learning and promote intellectual growth, particularly among children and young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
For many students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations and other academic assessments, public libraries provide an affordable alternative to expensive private study centres and personal libraries.
They also serve as accessible spaces for researchers, writers, job seekers and other members of the public who require reliable information and a conducive environment for learning.
Against this background, the reported commercial use of property associated with the Oyo State Library Board at Dugbe deserves serious public scrutiny.
What informed the decision to allocate or convert the property for commercial purposes? Was a comprehensive assessment conducted to determine the implications for public access to library services? Were relevant stakeholders, including educators, students, researchers and library professionals, consulted before the change in use?
These are legitimate questions that the state government should address openly.
The issue is not whether commercial development is inherently undesirable. Shopping malls and parking facilities may contribute to economic activity and urban development. The concern, rather, is whether such developments should take precedence over public educational infrastructure, particularly when the latter remains indispensable to students and low-income residents.
A society that sacrifices learning spaces without providing adequate alternatives risks undermining the very human capital required to sustain its economic and social progress.
THE DANGER OF NEGLECTING READING CULTURE
Reading culture does not flourish through public declarations alone. It requires deliberate investment in libraries, access to current learning materials, qualified personnel, electricity, furniture, digital resources and safe, comfortable spaces where students can study.
Where these conditions are absent, young people are likely to face additional barriers to effective learning. The consequences may include reduced access to educational resources, widening inequalities between affluent and disadvantaged students, and diminished opportunities for independent research.
Public libraries are particularly important in an era when the cost of textbooks, internet access and other educational materials places considerable pressure on household finances. For students whose families cannot afford private alternatives, the public library may represent one of the few available avenues for supplementary learning.
Consequently, any decision affecting the availability of such facilities should be guided by a clear public-interest assessment.
It would, however, be inaccurate to attribute declining reading habits or examination performance exclusively to the reported conversion of one library property without supporting evidence. Reading culture is influenced by several factors, including household income, school facilities, teachers’ capacity, curriculum demands, access to digital technology and government investment in education.
Nevertheless, the alleged conversion of library land raises a broader concern: whether the state is doing enough to protect and strengthen the public institutions that make learning accessible to all.
The government must explain how the development aligns with its educational policies and what concrete measures are being implemented to expand, rather than diminish, access to library services.
EDUCATION MUST NOT BE SUBORDINATED TO COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
A government committed to sustainable development must recognise that educational infrastructure is an investment in the future, not an expendable asset to be repurposed without adequate justification.
Modern libraries have evolved beyond traditional reading rooms. They now incorporate digital learning facilities, electronic databases, internet access, multimedia resources and spaces for collaborative research. Properly equipped, they can support students, entrepreneurs, professionals and lifelong learners alike.
Rather than allowing public library infrastructure to deteriorate, the Oyo State Government should consider a comprehensive programme to rehabilitate existing facilities, provide contemporary books and learning materials, improve electricity supply and establish functional e-libraries across the state.
Such interventions should extend beyond Ibadan to Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso, Ibarapa, Oyo and other underserved communities.
The government should also publish a clear account of the ownership, present use and administrative approvals relating to the Dugbe property. If the facilities have been repurposed, the public deserves to know the legal basis for the decision, the benefits expected from it and the alternative arrangements made for library users.
Transparency would help dispel suspicions and enable residents to assess the decision on the basis of verifiable facts rather than political speculation.
A BROADER TEST OF MAKINDE’S EDUCATIONAL LEGACY
Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration should be assessed not only by the roads constructed, commercial investments attracted or urban renewal projects undertaken, but also by the strength of the institutions that support the intellectual development of the people.
The condition of public schools, the welfare of teachers, the availability of learning materials and the accessibility of public libraries are all important indicators of educational commitment.
Where allegations of neglected facilities, inadequate resources or the diversion of public assets arise, the appropriate response is to investigate the claims, establish the facts and demand accountability from the relevant authorities.
The administration must therefore demonstrate that its development agenda accommodates both physical infrastructure and the less visible but equally essential institutions that cultivate knowledge.
After all, a shopping mall may generate commercial revenue, but a well-equipped public library can expand opportunities for generations of students, researchers and aspiring professionals.
The two are not necessarily incompatible. The real test is whether economic development is being pursued without compromising the public’s access to essential educational services.
OYO STATE DESERVES A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO LEARNING
Oyo State has the historical pedigree, intellectual resources and human capital to reclaim its position as a leading centre of education and literary development in Nigeria. Achieving this, however, requires more than nostalgia for the accomplishments of previous generations.
It demands deliberate policies, adequate funding, institutional accountability and sustained investment in the facilities that support learning.
The government should clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported commercial use of the Oyo State Library Board property at Dugbe and provide a credible plan for protecting and expanding public library services. Where any conversion has compromised access to essential facilities, appropriate corrective measures should be considered.
Students, parents, teachers, educationists and other stakeholders also have a responsibility to insist that public educational assets are managed transparently and in the broader interest of society.
As the state approaches another election cycle in 2027, education should remain a central issue in public debate. Political parties and aspirants should be challenged to present clear, measurable proposals for improving literacy, rehabilitating public libraries, strengthening schools and making learning resources accessible to disadvantaged communities.
The political opposition, including the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its gubernatorial candidate, Bimbo Adekanmbi, should equally articulate a credible and detailed educational agenda rather than rely solely on criticism of the incumbent administration. Voters deserve specific commitments that can be assessed against measurable outcomes.
Ultimately, the debate over the Dugbe property must go beyond partisan exchanges. It should compel the state to confront a fundamental question: what kind of future is Oyo State building for its children?
A state that values education must protect its institutions of learning, modernise its libraries and ensure that commercial development does not come at the expense of intellectual advancement.
The future of Oyo State cannot be secured by physical development alone. It must also be built on books, knowledge, critical thinking and a renewed commitment to reading.
