Friday, November 28, 2025 | The Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) concluded its 12th Mandatory Conference of Certified Librarians and 16th Batch Induction Ceremony on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Abuja, issuing a strong call for the enforcement of professional standards and the revitalization of public and school libraries nationwide.
The five-day event, held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), brought together key library professionals, stakeholders, policymakers, and a new batch of certified librarians from across the country to deliberate on the future of librarianship in the digital age.
Focus on ‘Renewed Hope’ and Digital Transition
The conference, which commenced on Monday, November 24th, with participant registration and a welcome address by LRCN Registrar, Amb. Ja’afaru A. Esee, was immediately anchored on the national “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
In the opening session, Dr. Umar Lawal, President of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), facilitated a discussion on the theme: “Libraries as Catalysts for Renewed Hope.” He stressed the urgent need to reposition libraries and enhance information services to support learning, research, and national development goals.
This was followed by Dr. Esther Gani’s presentation, which specifically addressed “Public Libraries and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” highlighting the pivotal role of these community hubs in strengthening local learning and supporting national objectives.
Induction of New Librarians
Tuesday, November 25th, was dedicated to the 16th Batch Induction Ceremony. The day began with a Pre-Induction Lecture facilitated by Mrs. Chioma Nwamu (CLN). Goodwill messages were delivered by the Honourable Minister of Education, Senator Muntari Dandutse, and Dr. Dominic Omokaro, among others.
The ceremony formally inducted the newly certified librarians, including a contingent of thirteen staff from the National Assembly Library. Mrs. Aminci Thomas-Osula, SA to the Executive Secretary on Library Services, was also present to felicitate with the newly inducted staff.
Ethical Information Handling in the Digital Age
The technical sessions on Wednesday, November 26th, centered on the challenges posed by the 21st-century digital revolution.
Dr. Helen Emmanuel facilitated a session on “Information Ethics and the Librarian’s Role in a Responsive Digital Future.” She emphasized that ethical information handling is crucial for librarians operating in a rapidly evolving digital environment marked by the proliferation of unverified content.
A subsequent paper, “Smart Libraries, Smart Citizens: Driving Civic Engagement Through Technology,” authored by Mrs. Folashade Adepoju and presented by Mr. John Ezra Sojah, further underscored how digital technologies can be leveraged to enhance library services and actively promote civic participation.
Key Takeaways and Call to Action
The conference consensus acknowledged the significant shift from traditional library operations to digital and technology-driven services. A core takeaway was the enduring relevance of ethics as a guiding pillar of librarianship, essential for maintaining professional standards and promoting responsible information consumption.
To address the challenges identified, the conference concluded with strong recommendations to the government:
- Enforcement of Standards: A circular should be issued by the Federal Ministry of Education mandating the LRCN to begin enforcing professional standards across all libraries to eliminate quackery and unprofessional practices.
- Revitalization of Public Libraries: Government intervention is urgently needed to upgrade and equip public libraries suffering from years of neglect to deliver quality information services.
- Reinvention of School Libraries: Efforts must be made to modernize school libraries nationwide to significantly improve information literacy and support student learning.
