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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Library of Nigeria (NLN) and the Qatar National Library (QNL) have signed a landmark partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation in knowledge exchange, research, digital transformation, cultural heritage preservation and professional development.
This was contained in a statement by Vershima Orvell-Dio, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, National Library of Nigeria.
According to the statement, the agreement was signed on August 12, on the sidelines of the 90th World Library and Information Congress (IFLA WLIC 2026) in Busan, South Korea.
It was signed by the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, and the Executive Director of the Qatar National Library, Huism Tan, in the presence of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut.
The statement said the partnership would provide a framework for cooperation in scientific, technical and cultural fields, including the exchange of knowledge, educational and research materials, publications and professional expertise.
It added that the agreement would promote joint content development, collaborative programmes, cultural exchanges, public engagement initiatives and mutual promotion of projects and activities of both national libraries.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Anunobi described the agreement as a significant milestone in expanding Nigeria’s knowledge and cultural diplomacy beyond Africa.
She said the partnership would create a bridge between West Africa and the Middle East, enabling both regions to share expertise, innovations and best practices in library and information services while strengthening their capacity to preserve and promote cultural heritage.
“With the signing of this agreement, both National Libraries are now set to exchange knowledge and expertise in digital transformation, preservation and conservation, electronic resources, digital repositories, automation, smart library systems and public library services,” she said.
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Anunobi explained that the agreement was the culmination of engagements that began following the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the Qatar National Library in October 2025.
She said a subsequent visit by the National Library of Nigeria to Qatar earlier in 2026, at the instance of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, further advanced discussions between the two institutions.
According to her, the engagements enabled both institutions to move from discussions to concrete areas of technical collaboration. “The visit provided us an opportunity to advance discussions with our Qatari counterpart towards strengthening Nigeria’s national library through technical collaboration, digital services, preservation, staff training and innovative technologies,” she said.
The partnership is expected to create opportunities for capacity building and professional development for library and information professionals, while facilitating the exchange of innovative technologies and practices to improve access to knowledge.
The agreement will also support efforts to preserve, digitise and promote documentary heritage, allowing valuable Nigerian cultural and intellectual resources to reach wider audiences.
The statement said the partnership underscored the National Library’s commitment to international collaboration as part of efforts to reposition it as a modern knowledge hub and global gateway to Nigeria’s documentary heritage.
“Since Anunobi assumed office in 2021, the National Library has intensified efforts to digitally preserve Nigeria’s cultural and documentary heritage and expand access to the resources.
“The institution has also developed strategic partnerships with libraries and related institutions abroad, including the National Library of Bulgaria.
“The Nigeria-Qatar partnership represents another step in efforts to connect Nigeria’s knowledge resources, professionals and cultural heritage with the wider world while leveraging global expertise to build a more innovative, accessible and future-ready national library service,” the statement said.
