Lagos State Government’s continued investment in restricted digital learning platforms aims to boost reading culture and shield students from distractions and inappropriate social media content online.
The state Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Adeniran Kasali, said this at the eighth edition of LagosReads Inter-School Quiz Competition for selected public secondary schools in Lagos State.
Eva Adelaja Girls Senior School, Bariga, lifted the trophy with 14 points, while Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, took the second position with 12 points.
Also, Government Senior College, Agege, emerged third at the competition.
“This competition encourages students to read extensively, broaden knowledge across subjects and become intellectually versatile because they prepare seriously without knowing where competition questions will emerge from,” Sule said.
He said that Lagos State Government had continued to invest in technology-driven education through restricted digital learning platforms.
“Teachers and parents must guide students toward productive technology use, ensuring educational devices and digital platforms improve reading culture, academic excellence, responsible behaviour and leadership development among students.”
Earlier, the Acting Director of Lagos State Library Board, Mrs Sofuye Oyenike, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening reading culture through the LagosReads advocacy programme initiated in 2018.
Oyenike described reading as a powerful tool for communication, confidence, critical thinking and academic excellence.
She said the annual competition encouraged students to read widely, improve confidence and expand knowledge across subjects.
“Every child in Lagos State deserves access to books, knowledge and ideas that broaden perspectives, strengthen confidence and prepare them for greater opportunities and lifelong academic success,” she said.
She noted that the competition brought together selected public secondary schools from the state’s six education districts to showcase students’ intellectual abilities and academic preparedness.
Oyenike urged students to embrace continuous reading, avoid social media distractions and justify government’s investments in education through discipline, intellectual growth and meaningful academic engagements.
She commended teachers for nurturing students and sustaining learning culture, saying that the competition was designed to make reading attractive, competitive and rewarding.
Mrs Aisha Askira, Chairperson, Nigerian Library Association, praised Lagos State Library Board for sustaining the competition, describing it as a vital investment in students’ intellectual development and future growth.
The chairperson urged students to see quiz competitions as opportunities to learn and improve knowledge.
In her goodwill message, an author, Foluke Falayi, urged students to read responsibly.
“Read today and lead tomorrow. Whatever vocation you choose, reading remains essential,” she said.
At the event, Dr Josephine Ogufere, the author of African Writers Tribe, promised to distribute 2,000,000 copies of a book entitled, ‘Renewed Hope and Lagos Revamp Story’, to students across Lagos State.
She said that much knowledge would be gained from reading.
