The President of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Lawal Umar, FNLA, today, Tuesday, 5th May 2026, joined university librarians and key stakeholders in the library and information profession at the opening ceremony of the 114th Biannual General Meeting of the Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU), held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja.
The meeting, which attracted participants from university libraries across the country, is themed: “Managing University Libraries in the Era of Open Access Publishing: The Role of Librarians.” Commending the choice of the theme, Dr. Umar affirmed that 'the theme is timely and thought provoking as it speaks directly to the evolving responsibilities of librarians in ensuring equitable access to knowledge, enhancing institutional visibility and navigating the complexities of open access ecosystems.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of AULNU, Prof. Angela Okpala, warmly received participants and emphasized the relevance of the theme. She noted that “open access publishing is an initiative that is aimed at providing universal, unrestricted and free access to scholarly materials via the internet,” and encouraged attendees to engage actively with the sessions to ensure a productive and impactful meeting.
Delivering the keynote address, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, highlighted critical issues shaping the future of university libraries. She stressed that “relevant and reliable infrastructure is not contestable” and described “preserving community knowledge for future generations” as a core responsibility of university libraries. According to her, “open access is a global trend that librarians must embrace.”
She further identified challenges such as unreliable publications, inadequate ICT infrastructure, and low levels of literacy, which continue to affect the effective adoption of open access in Nigerian universities. She advised that “librarians must take a central stage like their counterparts worldwide in order to promote open access, knowing fully that space awaits them to fill.”
The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Abdullahi Yusuf Ribadu, who served as Special Guest of Honour, reiterated the importance of libraries within the university system. He stated that “the quality of any university is judged by the development and strength of its library.”He acknowledged ongoing efforts to strengthen university libraries through interventions such as TETFund, but noted that funding gaps still persist, particularly in the provision of digital infrastructure and the effective utilization of available resources. He encouraged university librarians to reflect on the realities within their institutions and share practical solutions that can address these challenges and improve service delivery.
In his remarks, the NLA President, Dr. Lawal Umar, FNLA, commended AULNU for sustaining its long-standing tradition of professional engagement through its 114th meeting. He observed that AULNU continues to enjoy strong recognition within the academic community, and used the opportunity to reaffirm the position of the NLA as the umbrella body for all librarians in Nigeria.
The President also drew attention to the current state of the Association, noting that despite its 64-year history, the NLA still faces foundational challenges, including the absence of a permanent Secretariat. He called on members to take collective responsibility for repositioning the Association for sustainable growth.
He further urged senior professionals, particularly university librarians, to mentor and encourage younger colleagues to actively support the Association. In his words, “It is high time we give up the period where we only remember NLA at times of crises or when we need our membership certificate.” He emphasized that “without members, there will be no association,” adding that “the strength of any association is measured by the commitment of its members.”
The meeting was attended by university librarians from across Nigeria, key stakeholders in the library and information profession, Representative of the President of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria, EBSCOhost, NGRem, as well as friends and partners of the library community within and beyond the country.
