- Dr. Dominic Omokaro expressed concerns about declining library usage in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a strong reading culture for national growth
- Omokaro and guest speaker Dr. Chinyere Ibeh highlighted challenges facing Nigerian libraries, urging investment in infrastructure and librarian training for improvement
Dr. Dominic Omokaro, president and Chairman of the Council for the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), has raised concerns about Nigerians’ declining use of libraries.
Speaking at the NLA’s 2024 Award Dinner in Abuja, themed “The Library as an Agent of Change in Contemporary Nigeria,” Omokaro highlighted libraries’ critical role in developing a knowledgeable and progressive society.
Omokaro stressed that a strong reading culture is foundational to national growth. “If we want Nigeria to lead as a nation, we must get people back to the library. A reading society is a leading society because readers are leaders,” he explained.
He refuted that artificial intelligence could replace libraries, emphasizing the enduring importance of human interaction and study spaces. “You still need the human factor; going to a library creates a focused environment for studying that isn’t as easily replicated at home or online,” he said.
Guest speaker Dr. Chinyere Ibeh echoed Omokaro’s sentiments, underscoring the library’s essential role in research and development across all fields.
However, she noted significant challenges facing Nigerian libraries, such as a lack of adequate physical and virtual libraries for the population, a digital divide, insufficient programs to promote reading, and inadequate funding.
She advocated for stronger investment in physical and digital infrastructure and librarian training. “To realize libraries’ full potential as transformative agents, we must address these limitations and empower libraries to serve our society better,” Ibeh concluded.
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