National Library of Nigeria

18/06/2025

UNESCO Fancies Map of Nigerian Languages, Provides Recipes for sustainable development

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO has identified indigenous languages as a key ingredient for sustainable development.
This is contained in a document released by the Cultural organization in June, titled 10 recipes for sustainable development, one common ingredient: Indigenous Languages; inspiring projects to build your appetite for action on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032.
Listing a total of 10 recipes for sustainable development, drawn from the projects by 10 different countries aimed at the preservation of indigenous languages, UNESCO says like any good recipe, it can be adapted to suit different situations.

Listed on number seven of the publication is the Map of Nigerian Languages. According to the publication, the Map of Nigerian Languages, created by the National Library of Nigeria, addresses the critical endangerment of Indigenous languages. As part of the Library’s local content initiatives, the Map serves as a national reference and cultural preservation tool, showcasing Nigeria’s rich linguistic diversity.

The UNESCO Publication is aimed at highlighting good practices and innovative projects by National Commissions for UNESCO to implement the Global Action Plan of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages

The recipes contained in the publication have been drafted and provided by the National Commissions for UNESCO of Nigeria, Canada, Australia, Colombia,Guatemala, Latvia, Malaysia, Peruvia, Philippines, and Tunisia.

It will be recalled that the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi officially presented the Map of Nigerian Languages to the Honorable Minister of Education in August 2024.

08/06/2025

In January 2025 alone, 5,594 new users joined our network—showing the National Library of Nigeria’s dynamic role in connecting citizens to knowledge!

07/06/2025

The National Library of Nigeria is developing an initiative to document the family histories of Nigerians. We value your opinion! Your responses will help us assess public interest, readiness, and preferred approaches for this initiative.
This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete, please help us fill this survey. Thank you.

Introduction The National Library of Nigeria is developing an initiative to document the family histories of Nigerians. This project aims to preserve our cultural heritage, strengthen identity, and create a reliable national genealogical database. As globalization and modernization reshape our socie...

06/06/2025

01/06/2025

Over 11,000 library materials were accessed nationwide across our 33 state branches in January 2025. This is a proof of the National Library of Nigeria’s growing relevance in knowledge access!

22/05/2025

National Library Collaborates with NOA to Deliver Mandate

The National Library of Nigeria is to partner with the National Orientation Agency NOA for the achievement of the organizational mandate. The National Librarian/CEO emphasized this when she was hosted by the Director General of NOA, Malam Lenre Issa-Onilu. She emphasized that the two agencies had a meeting point as far as their mandates are concerned and it will be good to team up and map out templates towards achieving the common mandates.

Prof. Anunobi noted that libraries all over the world are primarily known for preservation of national heritage. It is expected that every publication in the country - tangible and intangible should be deposited with the National Library. The National library also ensures that the masses are sensitized in the areas of reading thereby promoting life-long learning. Authors and publishers are sensitized to ensure compliance to global standards in publishing.

She further informed her host about the 2025-2030 strategic plan of NLN which had the youth in focus, bearing in mind that the youth constitutes about 35% of the population. The essence according to her is to encourage reading especially among the youth. To further promote readership, the NLN has mapped out a citizen education programme termed: "Read Aloud" which is usually conducted across the NL state branches. It is intended that through the Read Aloud program, citizens will get to read and know the content of the Nigerian Constitution.

The National Librarian/CEO opined that since both agencies share similar vision and mandate, it will be of great interest to the masses when both agencies engages in collaboration.

Responding, the DG of NOA applauded the National Librarian and her team for the efforts in making Nigerians not only to read but to read aloud. This is in line with other numerous roles the NL plays. The library highlights how important a society is because it houses all the heritage of that society. He admitted that the NLN and NOA have similar mandate and the engagement will provide a framework of support for each other to achieve the mandate and objective better than what it is presently. The Director General stated that there is no intellectual engagement on the part of the youth, rather they are attracted to styles, movies and so on which prompted NOA to create a department in Youth Engagement and Inclusion to have a renewed focus on the youths.

Speaking further, he said the agency is the custodian of National symbols which includes the Nigerian Constitution, ensuring that the national symbols are valued and protected and not abused. He assured the National Librarian that the agency will support the organization and work in synergy to ensure that Nigerians get the best.

22/05/2025

National Librarian Charges Staff on Ethics and Excellence in Service

The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi has charged staff of the organization to be ethical in their conduct.

Prof. Anunobi stated this during an interactive session with newly recruited staff of the National Library of Nigeria on Monday 19th May at the Boardroom of the Library's Headquarters in Abuja.
The session, which was hybrid to enable staff in the state branches to also participate, coincided with Professor Anunobi’s birthday, served as both a warm welcome and a motivational address to the new employees.

In her opening remarks, the National Librarian expressed gratitude for the goodwill messages she received, before emphasizing the significance of personal responsibility and integrity in public service. “You must understand that how you make your bed is how you will lay” she said, urging the new staff to demonstrate commitment, professionalism, and continuous self-improvement. Prof. Anunobi also reminded them to be morally guided in their conduct, to dress appropriately, and to let their skills set them apart in the workplace.

Prof. Anunobi further challenged them to “Be contented with what you have, challenge yourselves to grow, and avoid conflict at all costs. Also know that fighting and quarrelling are against the ethics of the National Library of Nigeria, and in deed the public service at large.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, a Deputy Director in the Human Resource and Administration Department welcomed the new staff and highlighted the purpose of the session as a heart-to-heart interaction to help them understand their roles and responsibilities within the organization. “We hope that after this session, you will understand why you were employed and what is expected of you,” he said.

Speaking during the session, Mr. J.K. Ojo, Director of the Public Services Department, emphasized the importance of attitude and discipline. He described their recruitment as a privilege and urged them to embrace the organizations code of conduct, stressing the need to be ICT compliant and to maintain loyalty to the management and the organization.

The Acting Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. A.A. Yue, educated the staff on basic financial terms such as budget, advance, and DTA (Duty Tour Allowance). He encouraged them to justify their salaries through diligence, particularly commending the inclusion of 15 accountants among the new hires. “Hard work doesn’t kill; it rewards exceedingly,” Also speaking, Mr. E.O. Adeoti, Assistant Director of Workforce Planning and Development, advised the staff to adhere strictly to Public Service Regulations (PSR). He clarified the distinction between civil and public servants, reminding them that the Public Service Rules should serve as their guide. He further urged them to begin planning for retirement by saving early and taking their roles seriously.

The interactive session featured a question-and-answer segment, during which directors addressed various concerns raised by the new employees.
Mr. Anya Festus Ogbonna gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the newly recruited staff. He expressed appreciation to the National Librarian and management for the opportunity and pledged the commitment of the new staff to the organization’s goals.

22/05/2025

Transforming Bibliographic Control in Nigeria: The National Library's Automation of ISBN Application and Verification

By Atilola V. Oluwakemi Nigeria’s bibliographic future is digital, and the journey has just begun. In the digital age, where efficiency, a...

17/05/2025

National Librarian Pays Working Visit to Katsina State Branch

Our Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi was gladly received on arrival by the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), Katsina State Chapter on Thursday 15th May, when she paid a one-day working visit to the Katsina State Branch of the National Library. The Chapter Chairperson, Dr. Hindatu Abubakar Salisu in her welcome speech informed the National Librarian/CEO that the Chapter partners with the National Library in the State to promote librarianship as well as improving readership amongst the people of the state.

Prof. Anunobi also paid homage to the Father of the land, HRH Alhaji Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman CFR, LLD who assured his guest of the Emirate willingness to extend a hand of fellowship to foster educational development of the good people of the state. He stated that a country cannot develop without education which is exclusively achievable through reading.

Earlier, the National Librarian/CEO had informed her host that the American Embassy has opened a "Window on America in Katsina", domiciled at the National Library of Nigeria. It is intended that the Facility will bring about inclusivity, opening up the American culture to the people of the State as well as giving the people the opportunity to unveil their own culture. It is a unique opportunity for the academic institutions around Katsina to explore the intellectual facilities available at the Window, having provided Computers and Internet Services with a very serene and friendly environment for learning.

She further informed that the NLN is not only meant for people to come in and read but also serves as a Museum for the people to showcase their cultural heritage: monuments, historical materials - tangible and intangible about the people should be displayed. She therefore solicited the Emirate Council to support the Head of Branch to gather all that she needed for the Library.

The National Librarian was also received by the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, a prominent supporter of the Library, who also has a "Dedicated Corner" at the State Branch, having donated different volumes and titles to the library.
She also visited the Hon. Commissioner of Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu. The duo respectively received her while expressing the State government efforts and determination to promote education across the state.

The HOB, Hajia Amina Maje Sayyadi, a resilient team leader took the Chief Executive on a facility tour of the State branch, having briefed her on their achievements and challenges. Remarkable among them is the Literacy Centre established at the Yandurumma Community of the State where young adult women are tutored.

The Chief Executive Officer was accompanied on this visit by the Ag. Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Augustine Yue and the Special Assistant in Professional Matters, Mr. Baba Mohammed.

12/05/2025

“The Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Prof. Veronica Chinwe Anunobi, is also a sturdy supporter of the use of mother tongue in teaching pupils in schools”

The Nation Newspaper Stakeholders make case for mother tongue education

11/05/2025

Illuminating Minds, Empowering Citizens: The Transformative Reach of Public Services at the National Library of Nigeria

By Luwa Suwaiba In the architecture of any democratic society, the institutions that nurture knowledge are as vital as those that uphold l...