The State of The National Library of Nigeria: Why The Nigeria Government Must Act Fast.

Abstract

Nigeria, like many other developing countries, is passing through a critical period of educational, economic, political and social development. This established a truism that such development cannot be achieved in isolation. It is therefore felt by many that if Nigeria is to achieve its full potential in these core areas of human growth, development of her national library is imperative. This article help to state the problems of the National Library of Nigeria and the possible Solutions and Recommendations.

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University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
9-2019
The State of The National Library of Nigeria: Why The Nigeria The State of The National Library of Nigeria: Why The Nigeria
Government Must Act Fast. Government Must Act Fast.
Victor Tochukwu Ejechi
African Heritage Institution
, ejechivictor@gmail.com
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Ejechi, Victor Tochukwu, "The State of The National Library of Nigeria: Why The Nigeria Government Must
Act Fast." (2019).
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)
. 3571.
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The State of The National Library of Nigeria: Why The Nigeria Government Must Act Fast.
Abstarct
Nigeria, like many other developing countries, is passing through a critical period of educational, economic, political
and social development. This established a truism that such development cannot be achieved in isolation. It is
therefore felt by many that if Nigeria is to achieve its full potential in these core areas of human growth, development
of her national library is imperative. This article help to state the problems of the National Library of Nigeria and the
possible Solutions and Recommendations.
Introduction
Library is a tool for intellectual freedom and economic development; a gateway to political,
economic, social happiness and survival. Freedom in its various dimensions means the absence
of ignorance of situations. The acquisition of knowledge needed to dispel ignorance is derived
from studying. Edward Newton realized this when he opined that one may become wise from
contemplation, but knowledge comes only from study.
According to the estimates released on the Tuesday, August 13, 2019 by the United Nations,
current population of Nigeria stood at 201,489,337 and it is equivalent to 2.6% of the total
world population. This data revealed Nigeria as the most populous nation in Africa; she prides
herself as the giant of Africa. However, the question remains that is Nigeria really the Giant of
Africa? If there are affirmative responses, what are the likely indicators that may ensure such
conclusion?
Nigeria, like many others developing countries, is passing through critical period of
educational, economic, political and social development. This established a truism that such
development cannot be achieved in isolation. It is therefore felt by many that if Nigeria is to
achieve its full potential in these core areas of human growth, development of her national
library is imperative.
The National Library of Nigeria
The National Library of Nigeria was established in the mid 1960 with the enactment of the
National Library Act of 1964. In 1970, a new legal precedent was set with the creation of the
National Library decree, the decree was partly enacted on the advice of the National Library
Board which wanted to expand the library to other state capitals in order to create a network of
repositories of knowledge. The collections of National Library of Nigeria are limitless ranging
from textbooks, journals, reference collections and government documents, among others. A
lot of my colleagues have been advocating for better libraries in Nigeria and the completion of
the Nigeria National Library, Abuja. This noble cause cannot be over emphasized because of
the importance of a functional National library of Nigeria in almost all the facets of human
existence and development. This is why the federal government must, as a matter of urgency,
needs to declare a state of emergency on the National Library of Nigeria.
At the national level, the federal government funds the National Library of Nigeria through the
Federal Ministry of Education. The National Library of Nigeria is categorised as a public
library because it serves all categories of users regardless of their gender, religion, or cultural
affinity. The governance structure of the National library is the responsibility of the federal

Ministry of Education, and the allocation of funds is derived directly from the federal
government’s budget. The selection and acquisition of material, service delivery, and all other
administrative responsibilities are discharged by senior librarians and the executives of the
National Library of Nigeria.
In February this year, the Federal government proposed 50 billion for the completion of the
Apex library, exactly 13 years the project was first conceived. Surprisingly, nothing has been
done; it looks as everything has been swept under the carpet. Blessing Akporhonor, a librarian
at the Delta State University noted that, every library is supported by three legs – physical
building, collections, and the staff. However, the tendon supporting these legs, and what
ultimately binds them together, is money. Specifically, funding is central to any enterprise, and
for library to meet her objectives, provision of funding is a necessity. This is because when
funds are not provided, quality service delivery will affected adversely.
The industrialization age is now obvious. To this end, industrial developments can hardly be
achieved without relevant information. Therefore, there is need for a functional and well
equipped national library in order to ensure an economically viable Nigeria that bases her
policies on informed decision making. This is because libraries as reservoir of reliable
information that are consulted for reference and other services centres for nation building.
Regrettably, all the potentials of national library in Nigeria are being hindered presently due
poor reading culture, inadequate funding and high level of illiteracy. Despite these challenges,
national library can provide information on improving productivity, hygiene, business
activities and promote democracy and social-economic issues. On this note, it is good for the
governments in Nigeria to fully become aware that great nations of the world prosper using the
possibilities in reliable information. It is good to also state that public library is central to
information management by qualified library professionals.
Conclusion and Recommendation
In essence, libraries in Nigeria are confronted with similar challenges. Librarians’ Registration
Council of Nigeria made it known that there are 316 public libraries in both the rural and urban
Nigeria. Although the headquarters of National Library of Nigeria is located in Abuja; she has
25 branches nationwide. In addition, all the 36 states in Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory
have Library Boards. Presently, there are 253 branches of the state’s library Boards spread
across the rural communities in the country (Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria, 2015).
It is therefore perceived that if these libraries are given due attention through proper funding,
they have the capacity to contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Materials Consulted

1. The Nations Newspaper
https://thenationonlineng.net/libraries-in-poor-state-turned-to-social-events-centres/
2. Ajuri Ngelale and Ronke Sanya 2017, Channels Television
https://www.channelstv.com/2017/11/06/nigerias-national-library-intellectual-sanctuary-in-
ruins
3. Challenges Confronting Postgraduate Library and Information Science Student in the Use
of Electronic Resources in Southern Nigeria by Blessings Amina Akporhonor Dr
(mrs)Follow and Lucky Oji Akpojotor Mr 2016