Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has approved ₦700 million for the purchase of reference textbooks for primary and secondary schools in Katsina State. The move, according to him, is targeted at reviving the reading culture and strengthening research among students.
He expressed concern that the growing use of ICT, mobile phones, and even artificial intelligence tools is weakening traditional study habits, stressing the importance of restoring meaningful academic development in schools.
The Governor made this known while receiving Professor Chinwe Veronica, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, who is in Katsina for the institution’s 9th Annual Conference. Radda emphasized that education investment is necessary for sustainable growth and better opportunities for young people in the state.
Professor Veronica commended the state government for prioritizing literacy, urging stronger partnerships to promote access to quality books, adding that libraries remain vital for nation-building and academic progress.