Sustainable Development of Library and Information Science Education in Nigeria: An Update

Abstract

The paper explores remarkable development, obstacles and prospects in Library and Information Science Education (LISE) in Nigeria. Development of Library and Information Science Education in Nigeria began with the establishment of library school at University of Ibadan to commence postgraduate programme in 1960 and eight years later at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1968. Since then sustainable development has taken place in various aspects of LISE in Nigeria notably in the of areas of curriculum review, establishment of more library schools and LIS programmes , distance learning programme, student industrial work experience scheme(SIWES) programme beyond the four-walls of library and entrepreneurship/employment opportunities for prospective graduates, specialized fields, etc. Despite these sustainable development that have taken place, there are obstacles to LISE notably in :proliferation of library schools and LIS programmes; disparity in curriculum and nomenclature in diploma and degree awarded; de-listing of Bachelor degree (LIS) programme of some university -based library schools from Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) website; mentoring problem; staffing issues; inadequate physical/infrastructural facilities ;promotion prospects of library practitioners especially in university system and problem of degree nomenclature . Empirical study revealed between 2015 and 2019, 11 university and two polytechnic-based library schools have commenced undergraduate and National Diploma programmes while there exist variations/disparity in admission requirements and duration of undergraduate programme of the existing and new university-based library schools. Despite these shortcomings, there is hope that in the near future LIS Schools shall be upgraded to Faculty/School of Library and Information Science. The implication is that there are still gaps to be filled in library and information science education in Nigeria .The paper recommends among others that for the sustainable development of Library and Information Science Education in Nigeria, stakeholders in LIS sector should ensure strict compliance to Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LCRN) standards in terms of establishment of LIS schools and programmes and physical/ infrastructural facilities.