The Nigerian Library Association (NLA), led by its President, Dr. Lawal Umar, FNLA, yesterday, 15th May 2026, joined librarians, publishers, authors, educators, booksellers, printers, literary advocates, and other stakeholders at the Librarians’ Day celebration held as part of the ongoing 25th Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF 2026) in Lagos.
The event, organized in collaboration with the NLA Lagos State Chapter, focused on the theme: “Out-of-School Children: Libraries as a Gateway to Opportunities.” The gathering served as a platform for deep reflection on the growing challenge of out-of-school children in Nigeria and the critical role libraries can play in addressing educational and social exclusion.
Delivering his opening remarks as Chief Host of the event, the NLA President, Dr. Lawal Umar, congratulated the Nigeria International Book Fair Trust on reaching its silver jubilee anniversary, describing the 25-year milestone as “a testament to resilience, vision, commitment, and the enduring belief that books remain powerful instruments for national transformation.”
The President also acknowledged the contributions of key players within Nigeria’s book ecosystem, including publishers, authors, booksellers, printers, educators, and literary advocates, noting that librarians remain important partners in advancing literacy, access to knowledge, and national development.
He particularly commended the leadership and members of the NLA Lagos State Chapter, led by the Chairperson, Mrs. Aisha Askira, for their consistency and dedication in coordinating Librarians’ Day activities at the Nigeria International Book Fair over the years. According to him, the Chapter has continued to demonstrate “exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and passion in ensuring that librarians remain visible and actively represented within the Nigeria International Book Fair.”
The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. F. N. Onifade, who shared valuable insights on the role libraries can play in reconnecting vulnerable and underserved children to learning opportunities.
Speaking on the theme, the NLA President described the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria as one of the nation’s greatest social and educational concerns. He observed that millions of children remain excluded from formal education due to poverty, insecurity, displacement, child labour, and other systemic challenges.
“Every child outside the classroom represents not merely a statistic, but a dream deferred, a talent untapped, and a future endangered,” he stated.
Dr. Umar emphasized that libraries must not remain passive institutions in the face of such realities. According to him, libraries are “gateways to opportunities, centres of hope, and platforms for social inclusion,” capable of bridging literacy gaps and creating pathways for lifelong learning.
The event also provided an avenue for professional networking, advocacy, and renewed conversations around the place of libraries in national development. Participants at the gathering reaffirmed the importance of strengthening libraries as community-centred institutions capable of supporting education, literacy, culture, and social transformation.
As part of his remarks, Dr. Lawal Umar also invited stakeholders and members of the profession to participate in the forthcoming 64th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Library Association scheduled to hold in Minna, Niger State, from 12th – 17th July 2026.