FCTA CALLS ON RESIDENTS TO STRENGTHEN READING CULTURE
…As stakeholders applaud FCT-ERC at 31st Annual Book Fair
By: Mary Andeh and Elsie Okpeke
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has called on residents of the FCT to cultivate an active reading culture to improve their knowledge by exploring educational materials available at the FCTA Education Resource Center (ERC) Annual Book Fair.
The FCTA Head of Civil Service, Madam Nancy Sabanti Nathan, made the call at the opening ceremony of the 31st FCT Annual Book Fair held at the Education Resource Centre on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Her words: “I urge residents of the FCT, our neighbouring states, and the general public to take full advantage of the opportunities that this month-long event provides. I encourage parents, teachers, school administrators, students and other members of the public to visit the fair, explore the wide range of materials available, and cultivate the habit of reading”.
Representing the Head of Service, Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, urged the public to embrace reading and make greater use of books and other educational resources to improve learning outcomes.
She stressed that books remain indispensable to effective teaching, learning and intellectual development despite the rapid advancement of technology in the education sector.
She commended the organisers for their sustained commitment, which has enabled the annual event to thrive for over three decades.
“This continuity is a testament to the recognition of the important role that books, libraries, publishers, educators and other stakeholders play in strengthening our education system,” She reiterated.
In her welcome address, the Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre, Dr. Neemat Abdulrahim, expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwa Wike, for his contributions to the development of the education sector.
She disclosed that the Minister had approved the commencement of the review of books and other educational resources currently used in FCT schools.
According to her, “the Centre is consequently working towards producing an updated book list and teaching schemes that are aligned with the new curriculum”.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigeria Publishers Association, FCT Chapter, Dr. Innocent Agbanu, condemned the growing incidence of book piracy, stressing that publishers remain committed to making quality educational books available to the public at affordable prices.
Agbanu urged parents, guardians, teachers and learners to take advantage of the book fair to acquire recommended and appropriate books ahead of the new academic year.
Abuja Digest reports that other stakeholders who attended the event in large numbers described the annual book fair as a valuable platform for promoting access to quality educational materials and encouraging reading among learners, educators and the wider public.
