This Borders edition presents a revised version of Folasade Adepoju’s essay on the National Library of Nigeria, first published in Living Sustainably Here: African Perspectives on the SDGs, Volume 1 – Paths to Knowledge.

While the original anthology version focused on the Library’s enduring role in knowledge preservation, access, and literacy development, this updated edition extends that conversation. It reflects emerging questions around digital stewardship and the preservation of indigenous and national languages in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Borders serves as a complementary, evolving platform to the anthology—allowing contributors to revisit and expand their work as new insights and contexts emerge.

Across the world, national libraries stand as living treasures of collective memory, scholarship, and culture. They are not merely warehouses of books but living institutions where knowledge is safeguarded, shared, and expanded to shape present and future generations. In Africa, and specifically in Nigeria, the National Library represents more than a repository of print and digital resources; it is a symbol of hope for learners, researchers, policymakers, and citizens seeking empowerment through information. Its functions touch every corner of national life - preserving heritage, supporting education, fostering creativity, and enabling participation in global knowledge conversations. At a time when the digital age has disrupted old models of learning and access, the National Library faces challenges but also unprecedented opportunities. It has the responsibility to ensure that all citizens regardless of social class, age, gender, or geography, find equitable entry points to knowledge that enriches their lives. This essay explores the roles of the National Library, the communities it serves, the obstacles it encounters, the possibilities of innovation, and the path toward supporting inclusive and equitable quality education under SDG 4.

Functions of the National Library in the Country

The National Library is one of the most important cultural and educational institutions in any nation. Its role is broad and interconnected with the intellectual, social, and economic development of society. Using the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) as a reference, the functions can be described under the following key areas:

a) Legal Deposit and National Bibliography: The National Library is the official custodian of published materials. Through legal deposit laws, publishers and authors are required to submit copies of every work they produce. This practice enables the library to build a comprehensive collection of the nation’s intellectual output. Beyond storage, the library produces the National Bibliography of Nigeria (NBN), which serves as a reference tool for scholars and institutions to identify works produced within the country.

b) Preservation of Heritage: Every nation’s identity is shaped by its cultural and intellectual heritage. The National Library ensures that work books, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, government documents, audiovisuals, and digital resources are preserved for present and future generations. It operates as an archive of the collective voice of the people, capturing diversity, creativity, and historical milestones.

In the digital age, this preservation mandate extends to the safeguarding of indigenous languages, many of which remain under-documented and at risk of erosion. Emerging tools in artificial intelligence offer new possibilities for documenting, transcribing, translating, and revitalizing these languages at scale. When thoughtfully applied, such technologies can support the creation of digital corpora, oral archives, and accessible learning resources, ensuring that linguistic heritage is not only preserved but actively used and transmitted across generations.

The National Library, working in partnership with cultural institutions, universities, and local communities, can play a pivotal role in shaping ethical and inclusive approaches to this work. This includes supporting community-led documentation, ensuring proper consent and attribution, and safeguarding against extractive uses of cultural data. In this way, preservation becomes not only an act of memory, but also a forward-looking investment in cultural continuity, knowledge sovereignty, and linguistic diversity in an increasingly digital world.

c) Access to Knowledge and Information: The Library provides citizens with access to a wide range of resources. Whether a student preparing for examinations, a researcher conducting field studies, a policymaker drafting laws, or a citizen pursuing personal growth, the National Library makes learning materials available to foster education and self-improvement.

d) Reference and Research Services: Researchers, academics, and students depend heavily on the library’s specialized collections. The NLN offers reading rooms, reference desks, and access to databases to help users locate accurate and reliable information.

e) Standards and ISBN/ISSN Administration: Another key role of the National Library of Nigeria is the administration of ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). By assigning these numbers, the library ensures the global visibility and traceability of Nigerian publications.

f) Literacy Promotion and Public Education: The Library organizes literacy campaigns, reading competitions, and author engagements to inspire a reading culture. In a country where literacy gaps remain, such programs are essential to bridge divides.

g) International Linkages: The National Library connects with other national and international libraries, forming part of a global network. This connection facilitates cultural exchange, scholarly collaboration, and Nigeria’s participation in global knowledge sharing.

h)Technology Developers and Data Practitioners: Software developers, data scientists, and AI researchers increasingly engage with library resources as sources of structured data, linguistic corpora, and cultural materials for building locally relevant technologies.

i) Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Language Communities: Elders, storytellers, linguists, and community organizations play a vital role both as users and contributors, particularly in the documentation, preservation, and ethical use of indigenous languages and cultural knowledge.

The Users and Target Users of the National Library

The National Library serves an expansive and diverse audience. Its value lies in ensuring that all sectors of society find resources that match their needs. The target users can be broadly categorized as follows:

a) Students: From primary school children to postgraduate scholars, students are among the most frequent users. The library provides textbooks, journals, study spaces, and digital resources that aid formal learning.

b) Researchers and Academics: Universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and research institutes depend on the library for primary sources, rare collections, and national records. Scholars rely on these collections to advance knowledge and contribute to national development.

c) Authors and Publishers: For writers and publishers, the National Library is not only a source of reference but also a partner in validating and cataloguing their work through legal deposit, ISBN, and ISSN services.

d) Government and Policymakers: Legislators, civil servants, and government agencies use the library’s archives and data to inform policy formulation, legislation, and planning.

e) Professionals and Corporate Bodies: Doctors, lawyers, engineers, economists, and business leaders turn to the library for specialized literature, standards, and historical references relevant to their fields.

f) General Public: Ordinary citizens job seekers, artisans, parents, retirees also access the library for personal growth, leisure reading, and information on practical life skills.

g) Diaspora and International Scholars: Through interlibrary exchanges and digital platforms, the library also supports international researchers interested in Nigerian studies.

Challenges to Effective Operations of the National Library and Opportunities in the Digital Age

Key Challenges

1. Inadequate Funding – The Library often suffers from insufficient budget allocations, limiting acquisitions, staff training, and infrastructure maintenance.

2. Poor Infrastructure – Many facilities are outdated, with inadequate reading spaces, ICT tools, and preservation equipment.

3. Low Digital Readiness – Despite global shifts to digital resources, the library’s e-services remain underdeveloped. Services are undermined by limited infrastructure for digitization, fragile data storage systems, and the rapid obsolescence of formats. The preservation of indigenous languages also faces constraints, including insufficient linguistic data, limited technological tools adapted to African languages, and the risk of extractive or poorly governed use of cultural data in emerging AI systems. Together, these factors complicate efforts to safeguard both physical and digital heritage for future generations.

4. Limited Public Awareness – Many Nigerians are unaware of the library’s resources, leading to underutilization.

5. Staff Capacity Gaps – Professional training in digital librarianship, data curation, and emerging technologies is often insufficient.

6. Preservation Challenges – Materials degrade due to poor environmental controls and lack of advanced conservation technology.

Opportunities in the Digital Age

1. Digitization of Collections – Converting print to digital will expand access, especially to those in remote areas.

2. Online Access Platforms – Virtual libraries, e-lending, and online bibliographies can serve users beyond physical buildings.

3. Open Access and Collaboration – Partnerships with universities, research institutes, and global digital repositories create wider visibility for Nigerian works.

4. Mobile Technology – With Nigeria’s high mobile penetration, the library can reach millions through mobile-friendly platforms.

5. Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics – Emerging tools can improve cataloguing, recommendation systems, and user engagement. At the same time, it must be noted that these new tools have introduced new stakes around data governance, cultural representation, and technological dependence. For libraries, this raises critical questions about AI sovereignty, including who owns and controls data, how indigenous knowledge and languages are represented, and whether African institutions can build or shape systems that reflect their own contexts and priorities.

6. Community Engagement – The digital age allows the library to organize webinars, podcasts, and interactive forums that make learning attractive and inclusive.

Recommendations for Optimizing Services and Advancing SDG 4

a) Strengthen Funding and Policy Support: Government must prioritize the library in its educational and cultural budgets. Public-private partnerships can also provide additional resources for modernization.

b) Embrace Full Digitization: Systematic digitization of all materials, coupled with robust online platforms, should be pursued. E-resources must be made accessible on mobile devices to meet people where they are.

c) Upgrade Infrastructure and Technology: Modern reading halls, state-of-the-art preservation labs, and high-speed internet access, will attract users and improve their experiences.

d) Expand Literacy and Outreach Programs: The Library should take reading campaigns to rural and urban communities, aligning with SDG 4’s vision of inclusivity. Book clubs, mobile libraries, and digital reading apps, can complement physical services.

e) Train Staff in Emerging Competencies: Continuous professional development in digital librarianship, artificial intelligence, and knowledge management will improve service delivery.

f) Promote Public Awareness: Aggressive publicity through media, schools, and community networks will enhance visibility. The library should brand itself as a hub of opportunities, not just a reading space.

g) Foster International Partnerships: Collaborations with UNESCO, IFLA, and other global networks will bring expertise, funding, and technology transfer.

Conclusion

The National Library of Nigeria is more than a building filled with books; it is the heartbeat of the nation’s intellectual and cultural life. It plays an essential role in preserving heritage, supporting research, and guiding the country toward knowledge-driven development. While challenges remain, the digital age presents unmatched opportunities for the library to reinvent itself as a modern, inclusive, and accessible institution.

At its core, the work of the National Library is grounded in preservation—but today, preservation is both more complex and more urgent than ever. It is no longer only about safeguarding materials; it is about shaping a society in which knowledge is a shared resource and education unlocks every citizen’s potential.

By embracing innovation, expanding outreach, and aligning with SDG 4, the National Library can help ensure that education in Nigeria—and more broadly across Africa—becomes truly equitable, transformative, and empowering for all.

Bibliography

Aina, L. O. Library and Information Science Text for Africa. Ibadan: Third World Information Services, 2004.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). IFLA Global Vision Report Summary: Ideas Store for Actions. The Hague: IFLA, 2018. Available at: https://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/296

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) & UNESCO. IFLA–UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 2022. The Hague: IFLA, 2022. Available at: https://repository.ifla.org/handle/20.500.14598/2006

National Library of Nigeria (NLN). National Library of Nigeria Annual Report 2022. Abuja: NLN, 2023.

National Library of Nigeria. Functions and Services of the National Library of Nigeria. Abuja: NLN. Available at: https://nln.gov.ng

UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Nigeria: Literacy Rate and Education Data. Montreal: UIS. Available at: https://uis.unesco.org

World Bank. Literacy Rate, Adult Total (% of People Ages 15 and Above) – Nigeria. Washington, DC: World Bank. Available at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.LITR.ZS?locations=NG

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4

About the African Perspectives Series

The African Perspective Series was launched at the 2022 Nigeria International Book Fair with the first set of commissioned papers written and presented by authors of the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter. The objective of African Perspectives is to have African authors contribute to the global conversation around development challenges afflicting the African continent and to publish these important papers in the SDG Book Club blog hosted in the Stories section of the UN Namibia site. In this way, our authors' ideas about the way forward for African development, can reach the widest possible interested audience. The African Perspectives Series is an initiative and property of Borders Literature for all Nations.

Copyright Statement

© Folasade Adepoju. This essay was first published in Living Sustainably Here: African Perspectives on the SDGs, Volume 1 – Paths to Knowledge: Production, Access, Literacy & Sustainable Development (Selina Publications).

The present Borders edition is a revised and expanded version, incorporating additional reflections on the evolving preservation mandate of the National Library of Nigeria, including its role in language preservation in the age of artificial intelligence.

This Borders edition is published by Borders: Literature for All Nations. All rights in this edition are reserved by the publisher. The author retains copyright in the text.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form without prior permission from the publisher and appropriate attribution to the original publication.

How to Cite this Article

Adepoju, Folasade. “The National Library: A Custodian of Knowledge, a Partner in Education, and a Bridge to the Future.” Living Sustainably Here: African Perspectives on the SDGs. Vol. 1, Paths to Knowledge: Production, Access, Literacy & Sustainable Development, edited by Olatoun Gabi-Williams. Borders: Literature for All Nations, revised digital edition. Available at: www.bordersliteratureonline.net.