The Nigerian Library Association convenes a landmark capacity-building webinar, charging its communication teams to redefine how libraries are seen, heard, and valued across Nigeria.
The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the visibility, relevance and professional image of librarianship in Nigeria through a successful two-day national webinar themed “The Unified Voice: Strategy, Branding and Effective Engagement.” The programme, which was coordinated by the Office of the National PRO, Sylvester Ebhonu, and moderated by Dr. Charis O. Onuoha of the NLA Digital Communication Crew, was held virtually on 23 and 24 May 2026, bringing together Public Relations Officers, Digital Communication Team members, chapter leaders, library professionals and communication volunteers from across the country for intensive learning, collaboration and strategic discussions.
The two-day programme drew over 150 participants from state chapters, sections, interest groups and various library institutions nationwide. Day 1 (https://youtu.be/BNV8AHGowR8) was a larger, publicly streamed session open to a broad audience, while Day 2 was a focused, intimate gathering designed exclusively for PROs and Digital Communication Team members, equipping them with the deeper tools, strategies and institutional frameworks required to serve the Association with excellence.
The initiative forms part of the Association’s broader efforts to enhance member engagement, strengthen professional advocacy, and build momentum ahead of the forthcoming NLA National Conference scheduled to be held in Minna, Niger State, from on the 12th of July 2026.
The NLA President, Dr. Lawal Umar, FNLA, opened proceedings with a characteristically direct and passionate charge to participants. He did not mince words: the library profession in Nigeria faces real and pressing challenges around professional identity, visibility, and public perception, and the only credible response to those challenges is strategic, deliberate, and consistent communication. He called on participants to embrace their roles as ambassadors of the profession within their respective communities and institutions, underscoring that effective communication remains central to the growth and sustainability of professional associations.
The webinar featured distinguished speakers and experienced practitioners who delivered presentations across a wide range of themes, including strategic communication, public relations, branding, digital engagement, content development, media relations, digital publishing, inclusive communication, and professional advocacy. Participants were exposed to practical frameworks for building stronger communication structures, improving public engagement, strengthening organisational visibility, and promoting library services in an increasingly digital environment.
Among the resource persons were Mrs. Florence Ngozi Nwabuonwu, JP, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Delta State Chapter; Dr. Ayodele John Alonge, Visiting Scholar at Karatina University, Kenya; Daniel Okem, brand and visual communication specialist; Dr. David Oguche of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; Shuaibu Adamu, communication and accessibility advocate; Dr. Omoh Atsenokhai, Administrative Secretary of the Nigerian Library Association; and Pastor Dr. Dominic Omokaro, Immediate Past President of the Association.
The Guest speaker, Mrs. Florence Ngozi Nwabuonwu, JP, drew on her extensive experience as a public relations practitioner to lay the foundations of strategic communication for the assembled teams. She stressed the importance of understanding audiences, setting clear communication objectives, developing consistent messages, and maintaining ethical standards, arguing that effective communication builds trust, strengthens institutional reputation, and serves as the essential bridge between an organisation and its stakeholders.
During the event, Daniel Okem presented a framework for repositioning libraries for the digital age, centred on stronger brand identity, user-centred services, and coordinated national messaging. His session challenged libraries to present themselves as trusted guides in an increasingly complex information environment, not merely repositories of books, but active hubs of knowledge and community value.
In addition, Dr. Ayodele Alonge led a session on transforming communication efforts from simple content creation to measurable impact. He encouraged PROs to embrace digital storytelling, media engagement, live streaming and data-driven strategies, and recommended early publicity planning, professional content development, structured media teams, and the use of modern tools to improve outreach and audience engagement.
A presentation on digital publishing, delivered on behalf of Dr. David Oguche, further emphasised the importance of a unified digital voice for the Association. Participants were encouraged to strengthen chapter websites, develop coordinated content calendars, publish annual reports, and leverage digital platforms to tell the story of libraries and librarians more effectively.
Across sessions, inclusivity emerged as a consistent thread. Participants discussed the need to strengthen accessibility measures, including the use of sign language interpretation and content that accommodates users with disabilities, and the contribution of volunteers supporting these initiatives was widely acknowledged. Speakers affirmed that innovation in professional communication must go hand in hand with ensuring that those communications reach and serve every member of the library community.
A unifying theme throughout the two days was the call for a more coordinated communication culture. Speakers encouraged participants to embrace strategic storytelling, responsible digital engagement, consistent content creation, and stronger collaboration with both traditional and digital media platforms, all in service of promoting the achievements, contributions, and wider impact of librarians and libraries across Nigeria.
The National PRO, Sylvester Ebhonu, described the webinar as a continuation of the NLA’s drive to strengthen communication capacity across its chapters and sections. He noted that the initiative reflects the Association’s determination to equip its communication teams with the skills and tools required to effectively represent the profession, engage members and promote NLA activities nationwide, and to build stronger relationships, foster innovation, and drive digital growth through coordinated effort.
Day 2 opened with Dr. Omoh Atsenokhai defining the NLA communication system as “the structured flow of information between the executive (EXCO), the council, down to the state chapters, to the sections, and then to the members.” She then delivered what became one of the most quoted lines of the session:
“You are not just PROs. You are the nervous system of NLA. When you are slow, the body is paralyzed. But when you are active, the association moves.”
Pastor Dr. Dominic Omokaro drew a critical distinction that many practitioners often blur. Publicity, he explained, is the act of gaining attention via posting event photos and sending announcements. Public Relations is something far more substantive: reputational management, stakeholder confidence, crisis communication, strategic planning, and relationship management. According to him, “You can have publicity without respect. But a good PRO builds both visibility and credibility.”
Discussions throughout both days reflected a shared commitment to building a more visible, connected, and professionally respected library community. At the close of the webinar, participants expressed renewed enthusiasm towards strengthening communication structures within their chapters and advancing the value and impact of librarianship across Nigeria.
Expected outcomes from the programme include improved communication practices across NLA chapters and sections, stronger digital visibility for library activities, enhanced member engagement, increased collaboration among communication teams, and greater public awareness of the contributions of libraries and librarians to national development.
The Nigerian Library Association remains committed to empowering its members, promoting professional excellence, and advancing initiatives that strengthen the voice, visibility, and impact of librarianship in Nigeria and beyond. The Association is actively and deliberately investing in the communication capacity of its people, because it understands that the future of the profession depends not only on the quality of the work done inside libraries, but on how powerfully and persuasively that work is communicated to the world outside.
About the Nigerian Library Association (NLA)
The Nigerian Library Association is the umbrella professional body for librarians, information professionals and library institutions in Nigeria. The Association is dedicated to promoting excellence in library and information services, advancing professional development, advocating for access to information and supporting national development through knowledge, learning and innovation.
Register for NLA Conference 2025 here