Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advocated the use of storytelling to promote moral education, character development and the preservation of cultural heritage among children and young people.
Obasanjo made the call at the 2026 edition of Storytelling with the Legends, organised by the Department of School Library and Media Technology, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
The programme, held at Trenchard Hall, had the theme, “Preserving Heritage, Inspiring Generations, Learning from Legends,” and attracted pupils, educators and members of the university community.
The former president said storytelling remained an effective means of teaching morals, building character and transmitting societal values from one generation to another.
“The purposes of storytelling are to teach morals, inculcate and build character in people as they grow up, and to help them learn the culture of society,” he said.
He added that storytelling could help children develop public speaking skills, overcome shyness and learn important lessons from the experiences of others.
Reflecting on his childhood, Obasanjo said he was born in a village without a road or school but learned the importance of hard work from his father.
“I was born in a village; no road to my village, no school in our village. But I learned hard work from my father. There is no substitute for hard work,” he said.
He noted that his father strongly disliked laziness, adding that the values instilled in him during childhood had influenced his outlook on life.
Obasanjo also recalled learning the importance of respecting teachers on his first day at school, urging pupils to embrace discipline and respect those responsible for their education.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, described storytelling as an important vehicle for learning and the transmission of values across generations.
Adebowale said the initiative, which followed an inaugural edition featuring the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, was designed to connect young people with the experiences and wisdom of distinguished Nigerians.
He stressed that storytelling went beyond entertainment, noting that oral traditions could promote literacy, preserve cultural identity and help young people develop good character.
The vice-chancellor urged pupils to learn from Obasanjo’s experiences, adding that the university remained committed to producing graduates who combined intellectual excellence with impeccable character.
The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Kehinde Kester, described the event as an opportunity to reconnect children with indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions at a time when digital media increasingly shaped their interests.
Kester encouraged pupils to listen attentively, ask questions and share the stories they learned with their families and friends to sustain cultural preservation.
He said storytelling had historically served as a means of teaching morals, courage, history and the values associated with being an Omoluabi, a Yoruba expression for a person of good character.
Earlier, the Head of the Department of School Library and Media Technology, Dr. Alice Bamigbola, said the programme was designed to inspire children to read, work hard, develop good character and aspire to leadership by learning from the lives of distinguished Nigerians.
Bamigbola called on governments, especially the Oyo State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board, to invest in functional, well-equipped school libraries and employ qualified teacher-librarians.
She lamented that many school libraries were dilapidated or non-functional, while those still operating often lacked adequate books, digital resources and trained professionals.
She also appealed to individuals, organisations and private-sector operators to support the department’s literacy programmes by providing books, computers, tablets, interactive smart boards and other learning resources.
According to her, stronger school libraries and literacy initiatives are essential to nurturing responsible citizens and future leaders.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Dr. Bukola Ladoja on behalf of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, as well as representatives of the Oyo State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.
