Reading habits and academic performance among first year students in selected universities in Nigeria

The study investigated reading habits and academic performance among first year students in selected universities in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using questionnaire to collect data. The population of the study consists of 355 first year students which were randomly drawn from selected universities in Nigeria. A total of the 355questionnaires were distributed only 309 were retrieved. Descriptive statistics, (mean and percentage) were used for analysis. A mean score of 2.5 and above and a percentage score of 50% were considered for decision making. The study revealed that the effects of reading habits on academic performance of first year students in selected university in Nigeria in the following order: helps me to absorb information, understand complex concepts, express my ideas effectively, helps me to pass my examinations, and helps me to think positively. Also, the study revealed the challenges affecting reading habits and academic performance as lack of time, unable to find books of choice, lack of reading habit, expensive hobby and love for mobile phone. The study recommends that universities should organize orientation for fresher’s to enable them to see the importance of reading habits and current books should be acquired by the university librarians to stimulate reading culture.