From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa has appreciated the efforts and commitment of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) in protecting the intellectual heritage of Nigeria over the past 60 years of its existence.
The minister, who was represented by the Minister of State, Suwaiba Ahmad, made the appreciation at the 60th anniversary of the NLN in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said: “For six decades, the NLN has stood as the guardian of our intellectual heritage, serving as a beacon of knowledge and learning. Its journey has been one of dedication, perseverance, and a relentless commitment to empowering Nigerians through access to information and resources.
“Today, we celebrate this legacy, and we look toward an even brighter future. It is impossible to overstate the critical role of libraries in the development of a nation. Libraries are more than just repositories of books and documents; they are the bedrock of any thriving knowledge economy.
“They are the engines of lifelong learning, pillars of research, and guardians of culture. In an era where information is power, the NLN holds the key to unlocking the potential of millions of Nigerians, from young learners to seasoned researchers.”
He, however, urged them to be mindful of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, particularly the fact that the world is changing rapidly. “Technology is transforming how we live, work, and learn. In this context, the role of libraries, and especially our NLN, must also evolve,” she said.
National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of NLN, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, in her remarks, said: “We are celebrating the resilience and dogged efforts of our founding fathers to ensure that Nigerian heritage is preserved for posterity, and for Nigeria to be counted among the comity of developed nations, priding herself on providing access to information for education, research, economic, and socio-political development as expected of a national library of the highest standing.”
She said that the NLN had achieved remarkable progress, reflecting its relevance as a national heritage, worthy of pride among Nigerians and deserving of support from those who care for the preservation of Nigeria’s national memory and intellectual legacy.
“Presently, we have preserved over 5 million titles and over 13 million volumes stored in various locations across the country, including 2.5 million titles and 7.5 million volumes of resources of Nigerian origin.
“As a bibliographic centre, a total of 1,000,574 and 27,755 International Standard Book and Serials numbers were issued to our publishers, respectively. We are proud to say that many Nigerians and non-Nigerians interested in scholarship, education, research, and lifelong learning have benefited from the National Library through its services at the 34 branches and the headquarters.
“Consequently, we have recorded over 7 million unique users and 32 million footprints. It is also cheering that the NLN has had personal engagements with over 1 million Nigerians in her effort to ensure that Nigerians across every age, gender, occupation, and class understand and embrace the culture of reading towards sustainable development.
“With the evolving global technology landscape prevalent in the manner of information packaging, processing, access, and retrieval, the NLN has transitioned to digital operations and services through her various platforms,” she said.
Keynote Speaker, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, in his presentation, recognised that the landscape of information and knowledge dissemination is rapidly evolving, stressing that the traditional model of libraries as physical spaces is giving way to a dynamic, technology-driven environment where information can be accessed anytime, anywhere. “This evolution presents both opportunities and challenges, especially for institutions like the National Library.”
He commended the NLN’s forward-looking initiatives, such as the digital transformation roadmap and the launch of virtual libraries, which aim to expand access to information across Nigeria. “The development of digital knowledge hubs that are accessible to Nigerians aligns perfectly with our national goals.
“By embracing technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital archiving, the NLN is taking critical steps to ensure that our citizens have the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century.
“The future of libraries is undoubtedly digital, and the NLN is leading by example. Through initiatives like the ‘Lit for Life Africa Festival’, an initiative powered by Kryterion, the NLN is engaging young Nigerians with a love for literature and creativity, empowering them to embrace storytelling, digital literacy, and lifelong learning.
“This is the library of the future, one that does not simply hold information but actively inspires the next generation to create, innovate, and lead,” he said.