12-Year-Old Nigerian Author Akwashiki Challenges Children To Embrace Reading Culture

A 12-year-old Nigerian author, literacy advocate and founder of the Book Buddies by Ashezi initiative, Ashezi Akwashiki, has challenged children of all ages to embrace the culture of reading.

Akwashiki made the call at the Book Buddies Literacy and Future Festival 2026, tagged Books to Bytes, in Abuja, where she described reading as more than learning to pronounce words or understand the contents of a book.

She said reading should become a lifestyle, adding that books could challenge children to work harder and broaden their understanding.

Akwashiki also encouraged children not to become discouraged when they do not immediately understand everything they read, stressing that reading is a process that requires asking questions, rereading difficult passages and developing personal interpretations of stories.

She started her non-governmental organisation at the age of nine to promote reading among children. Through the initiative, she established the Book Buddies Club and distributed educational materials to displaced and out-of-school children, particularly those in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps around Abuja.

Speaking about the impact of reading on her life, Akwashiki said books had helped her become more confident and discover her passion for reading.

“Books help me become more confident and also made me discover things about myself and how much I love books and reading,” she said.

She added that reading had introduced her to characters who made her laugh, cry, think differently and reflect on her own life.

“There have been books I finished and immediately wanted to tell someone about. There have been books I couldn’t put down because I just had to know what happened,” she said.

Akwashiki urged children not to be discouraged by books they initially found difficult to understand, saying it was okay to ask questions, read passages again and discover different meanings in a story.

According to her, there is not always one right way to experience a story because the same book can evoke different emotions and interpretations among readers.

Also speaking at the event, executive director of The Global Awareness for Development Initiatives (GLADI), Amb. David Fiase, urged the children to embrace tree planting, noting that it was important in addressing the effects of climate change in the country.