Nigerian School Library Journal

Equity, privacy risks, and algorithmic bias in public school library platforms: Evidence from senior secondary schools in Enugu Municipality

Justina Ekwutosi Ogbonna, Habib Shehu — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Digital library platforms in Nigerian senior secondary schools promise improved learning opportunities but risk worsening educational inequalities by unaddressed challenges of access disparities, data privacy issues, and algorithmic bias. This study examined how socio-economic gaps, AI-driven features, teacher readiness, and ICT infrastructure influence students' access, trust, and learning outcomes in public senior secondary schools in Enugu Municipality. Using a descriptive survey, data were collected from 420 participants (360 students and 60 teachers) across 12 schools with a validated 38-item questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression at p ≤ 0.05. Results showed significant negative links between equity issues and platform access (r = -0.62), privacy risks and student trust (r = - 0.54), and algorithmic bias and learning outcomes (β = -0.48). Conversely, teacher preparedness and solid ICT infrastructure significantly reduced these issues (β = 0.57), while adopting inclusive design, ethical AI practices, and transparent data governance improved equity and engagement (β = 0.61). The study shows that digital libraries can reflect existing structural conditions in that without targeted investments in human capacity, infrastructure, and ethical governance, they can reproduce exclusion; but with a justice-focused approach, they can promote inclusion. The findings recommend policy reforms that incorporate data protection and algorithmic accountability in Nigeria's education system to ensure that digital transformation supports fair learning opportunities.

Assessment of the implementation of nomadic education programme in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, 2014-2024

Boluwatife A. Akintayo, Omolola B. Kayode-Olawoyin — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The introduction of nomadic education in Nigeria is one of the good intentions of government to promote inclusive education and equitable quality education for children of school age irrespective of their social and economic background. Some of the aims and objectives of Nomadic Education programme according to National Commission for Nomadic Education include reduction of illiteracy in nomadic communities, provision of access to basic education for nomadic children, and promotion of gender equality for girls in nomadic communities. This paper determines how effective the Nomadic Education programme has been implemented in the last decade bringing to fore the challenges of implementation. Although the Nomadic education programme in Orire LGA has moderately succeeded in generating interest and positive attitudes towards schooling among nomadic children, the overall implementation remains weakened by systemic structural, pedagogical and logistic gaps. These include inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent provision of learning materials, shortage of trained teachers, and the disruptive effects of migration patterns of nomadic children on school attendance and retention. The positive attitudes of nomadic learners and their parents towards education highlights the programme's partial effectiveness and the need for government to do more in terms of policy implementation. To improve the nomadic education implementation, government needs to effectively fund the programme, recruit and train specialised nomadic education teachers, improve infrastructure, and provide adequate and relevant learning materials.

Community engagement and digital storytelling: Voices of rural library patrons in Southeastern Nigeria

V. K. Izuakolam, I. E. Obim, C. O. Igbinosa — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research focused on digital storytelling and community engagement among rural library patrons in Southeastern Nigeria. It particularly looked at using participatory media practices to strengthen local knowledge systems. Informed by the Participatory Culture, Digital Divide, and Social Capital theories, the study analyzed the forms, motivations, barriers, and impacts of digital storytelling as well as variations by engagement at the state level. Using a cross-sectional survey methodology, 400 registered patrons from 10 rural libraries in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States were sampled. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. Results indicate that 65% of the storytellers engaged in audio storytelling, a reflection of the area’s strong oral tradition. In contrast, due to lack of infrastructure, video storytelling, blogging and social media storytelling were documented at 50% and 40% respectively. Most of the respondents noted preservation of cultural heritage (mean = 4.20 and improvement of digital literacy (mean = 4.00) as key motivators and civic engagement was noted as moderate (mean = 3.60) Most severe obstacles were reported to be poor internet access (mean = 4.50), lack of support from institutions (mean = 4.2), and socio-cultural issues (mean = 3.80). Storytelling strongly fostered cultural identity (mean = 4.30), and social inclusion (mean = 4.10) and civic engagement was low (mean = 3.50). The ANOVA results also showed significant differences in levels of engagement by states. The study observed that digital storytelling positively impacts cultural preservation and social inclusion, however, there are still significant infrastructural and institutional shortcomings. It also noted the need for refined, specific policies that promote rural broadband to include social storytelling components in rural libraries to promote social storytelling to politically and socially inclusive knowledge societies in Nigeria.

Media literacy skills and quality virtual reference service delivery among library and information science undergraduates in two Nigerian universities

Gloria Mfonobong Umoh, Ese Eunice Anenene — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examined the relationship between media literacy skills and the quality of virtual reference service delivery among Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduates in two universities in Ibadan, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was adopted for this study. The population consisted of 302 LIS undergraduates from the University of Ibadan and Lead City University, Ibadan. Total enumeration technique was used and data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were conducted using the Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS). Results showed that all the 302 LIS undergraduates surveyed generally perceived virtual reference services as effective, particularly in terms of providing accurate information, maintaining confidentiality and demonstrating empathy towards users. However, communication skills, particularly in publishing insights and sharing virtual reference resources, were relatively weaker. The study found a significant moderate positive relationship between media literacy skills and quality virtual reference service delivery (r = 0.541, p < 0.01), indicating that improved media literacy skills enhance service effectiveness, recommended that universities integrate media literacy education into their curricula to strengthen undergraduates’ ability to access, evaluate and communicate digital information effectively. In addition, university libraries should enhance their virtual reference platforms to improve user experience and accessibility.

Information literacy and twenty-first century skills: The strategic role of school libraries in Nigeria

Gideon Chimeremese Ogbona Nwaogu — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The information ecosystem of the twenty-first century is marked by abundant digital content, accelerating technological change, and increasing exposure to misinformation and manipulation. These conditions have intensified the demand for information literacy (IL) and associated twenty-first-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and digital citisenship. Within Nigeria’s school system, school libraries and professionally trained school librarians have the potential to function as strategic learning infrastructures for developing these competencies, yet they remain unevenly developed and under-utilised. This article reworks and extends a qualitative desk-based study into a narrative literature review that synthesises international frameworks, empirical research and policyoriented publications on IL, digital literacies and school library practice. The review identifies five interrelated themes: (1) IL as a transferable set of practices underpinning lifelong learning; (2) the convergence of IL with twenty-first-century skill frameworks; (3) the instructional and curricular roles of school libraries; (4) the growing centrality of credibility evaluation and ethical participation in digital environments; and (5) systemic constraints affecting school library provision in Nigeria, including funding, staffing, infrastructure and policy implementation gaps. Drawing on these themes, the article argues that strengthening school library programmes is a pragmatic pathway for embedding IL across the curriculum and for equipping learners to participate effectively in the knowledge economy and democratic life. The article concludes with actionable recommendations for policy, school leadership, library practice and professional development, and proposes a research agenda for evaluating IL interventions within Nigerian secondary schools.

A Phenomenological study of library patrons with disabilities: Lived experiences at Kaduna State University library

Mansur Nalado, Sophia V. Adeyeye — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores how library patrons with disabilities experience library services at Kaduna State University (KASU). Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the research captures the personal meanings, emotions, and challenges that shape users’ encounters with library resources, technology, accessibility practices, and staff support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patrons with visual, hearing, mobility, and learning disabilities. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings revealed four key themes of, navigating physical and digital access; dignity and emotional experiences; privacy and independence, and; bias, barriers, and moments of inclusion. The study highlights areas where the library supports inclusion, as well as persistent gaps that affect users’ academic participation. Recommendations include improved accessibility policies, staff training, adaptive technologies, and ongoing engagement with disabled patrons.

Artificial intelligence as a leadership-guiding tool for training young entrepreneurs in Oyo Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria: A narrative review

Samuel Shina Akintonde — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines how artificial intelligence can serve as a leadership-guiding tool for the training of young entrepreneurs in Oyo Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria. Framed by the leadership and entrepreneurship challenges facing youth enterprise in Southwest Nigeria, the study was developed as a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature on entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial leadership, artificial-intelligence-supported learning, human-AI collaboration, and AI governance. Scholarly sources published between 2000 and 2025 were searched, screened, and synthesised thematically. The review shows that AI can contribute most effectively through adaptive feedback, personalised coaching prompts, scenario analysis, reflective journaling, decision support, and learning analytics. However, leadership development remains socially embedded since young entrepreneurs benefit most when AI tools are combined with human mentors, peer learning, and locally relevant venture challenges. The reviewed literature further suggests that AI-supported programmes can strengthen opportunity recognition, strategic thinking, communication, datainformed judgment, innovation, and ethical decision-making, but their value depends on access, AI literacy, transparency, privacy protection, and human oversight. The article concludes that Oyo Metropolis should pursue a hybrid AI-human training model rather than a fully automated one and recommends mobile-first, challenge-based, and ethically governed leadership incubators for young entrepreneurs.

Youth digital entrepreneurship: Information practices and constraints in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Mansur Nalado, Tunmibi Sunday — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Digital entrepreneurship has become a critical pathway for economic inclusion and youth empowerment in Nigeria. Although many young people possess the desire to leverage digital tools for business, rural areas such as Kubau Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State face unique infrastructural, socio-economic, and informational barriers that shape their entrepreneurial experiences. This qualitative study investigates the information practices, digital engagement patterns, and constraints affecting youth digital entrepreneurs in Kubau LGA. Using semi-structured interviews with 7 (Seven) participants aged 18 – 35, the study explores how young entrepreneurs search for, access, evaluate, and apply digital information for business purposes. The findings reveal issues such as digital skill gaps, inconsistent connectivity, limited access to devices, high data costs, low institutional support, and socio-cultural restrictions. Despite these obstacles, youth demonstrate creativity, resilience, and a willingness to exploit digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and mobile money applications. The study recommends tailored digital skills programmes, improved broadband access, community-based ICT hubs, and policies that strengthen rural digital entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Influence of information and communication technology on collaborative library services among federal academic libraries in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Shamsuddeen Abubakar, Wavi P. Mamsa — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study investigated the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on collaborative library services among federal academic libraries in Adamawa state, Nigeria. The study was guided by five objectives, while five research questions and two hypotheses were answered and tested respectively. The study adopted descriptive research design, while a sample sise of eighty librarians were drawn from the (how many) federal academic in Adamawa State using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection, while descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions and t-test was equally used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that collaborative services such as, interlibrary loan practices, Internet services-based resources, resource sharing, coordinated acquisition, and interlibrary exchange were carried out in the surveyed libraries in Adamawa State with their mean scores ranging between 3.90 to 3.52 which is greater than the criterion mean of 2.50 set as the standard norm. The cluster mean of 2.53 ±.73 indicates that collaborative services have been in practice in the federal academic libraries studied at ‘high level’. Also, the cluster mean of 2.69 ±.76 indicates that the level of ICT skills possessed by the library staff in the federal academic libraries studied was high. The cluster mean of 3.30 ±.73 indicates that the use of ICT for collaborative services was highly effective’ in the libraries studied; The cluster mean of 2.61 ±.70 indicates that the problems listed were associated with the use of ICT for collaborative services in the federal academic libraries surveyed. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.76 between the level of adoption of information and communication technology and collaborative library services in the federal academic libraries was obtained. This suggests that a ‘high positive’ correlation exists between the level of adoption of information and communication technology and collaborative library services in the federal academic libraries surveyed in Adamawa State. Furthermore, a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.81 was achieved between the level of ICT skills possessed by library staff and collaborative library services in the federal academic libraries surveyed. This suggests that a ‘high positive’ correlation exists between the level of ICT skills possessed by library staff and collaborative library services in federal academic libraries in Adamawa State. The study recommended that efforts should be made by the management of federal academic libraries in Adamawa State toward ensuring adequate provision of ICT facilities needed for total deployment of collaborative library services.

Media literacy and use of open educational resources by english language students in tertiary institutions at a sub-national level in Nigeria

Maureen C. Igwe, Kingsley N. Igwe — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The rapid development of Internet applications led to the emergence of open access movement and associated initiatives like open educational resources (OER) in 2002. The OER are web-based resources that are freely available on the Internet for adoption and use in teaching, learning, acquisition of knowledge, research and development activities. The few studies on the use of OER in Nigeria have not assessed students of various academic disciplines. In addition, the studies were unable to address factors like media literacy that could affect the use of OER. This study, therefore, examined the influence of media literacy on the use of OER by English Language students in tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State. Survey research design of the correlational type was adopted. A sample of 300 were selected from a population of 1,212 students. Questionnaire, which was validated by three experts, with an overall reliability index of r=0.78, was used for data collection. The findings revealed that the extent of use of OER was very poor and unsatisfactory among the students and there is poor level of media literacy among the students. It was also found that there are strong, significant and positive influences of media literacy on the use of OER among the students. The study concluded that media literacy influences the use of OER by English Language students in Ebonyi State. The study therefore, recommended that seminars and workshops should be conducted for the students on the importance, availability and use of OER; tertiary institutions should develop websites with links to OER for use by the students; media literacy education should be included in the curriculum of English Language in Nigerian tertiary institutions; and tertiary institutions in Nigeria should develop their respective indigenous repository of OER; and lecturers in the institutions should be encouraged and motivated to develop their course materials and make them available in OER repository of their institutions for easy access and use by students.

Access and use of digital library resources for academic purposes by law undergraduates at Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo

Ibitayo Adebayo, Samuel Shina Akintonde — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Digital libraries now constitute critical infrastructure for teaching, learning, and research in higher education, particularly in disciplines that depend heavily on current and authoritative information such as law. This study examined access to and use of digital library resources for academic purposes by law undergraduates at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo. Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, the study adopted a descriptive survey design and used a structured questionnaire to collect data from 280 randomly selected law undergraduates stratified by level. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse levels of awareness, types of resources accessed, purposes of use, and challenges encountered. The findings show that although most respondents were aware of the digital library, a sizeable minority lacked adequate awareness, and use was largely restricted to e-books, e-journals, and legal case databases for assignment completion, examination preparation, and general legal research. More specialised uses, such as moot court preparation and drafting legal documents, were less common. Key barriers included poor internet connectivity, limited access to functional devices, low digital literacy, and concerns about the relevance and currency of some digital content. The study recommends targeted awareness programmes, curriculum-embedded digital and legal research literacy, infrastructure upgrades, stronger collaboration between faculty and librarians, and continuous collection development to align digital resources with the law curriculum.

Perceived influence of Makerspaces on innovative library service by library personnel in the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN)

Mercy Akoun, Adebayo Adegboore — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Makerspaces represent a paradigm shift in modern librarianship, as it transforms libraries from passive repositories into active centers of creation and research support. This study investigated the perceived influence of makerspaces on innovative library service delivery among personnel at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN). Underpinned by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study adopted the total enumeration technique was used to sample 37 library personnel at FRIN, and data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, and mean) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed that while library personnel possess a high level of theoretical awareness regarding makerspace concepts, and that there is a significant gap in their practical technical skills to operate tools like 3D printers. The respondents perceived makerspaces as highly influential for modernising the library’s image and enhancing research capabilities, although they were less convinced about the immediate efficiency it adds to their personal tasks. Currently, innovative service delivery is found to be moderately high but uneven, driven largely by individual staff initiative rather than established systems. The study identified erratic power supply and insufficient funding as the most critical barriers to adoption. The study also found a strong positive significant relationship between the perceived influence of makerspaces and innovative service delivery. The study concluded that FRIN library personnel are mentally and psychologically ready to embrace makerspaces, but their efforts are constrained by environmental and infrastructural deficits. To bridge the gap between willingness and execution, it is recommended that the institute moves beyond theoretical sensitisation to provide hands-on technical training, invests in alternative power solutions and seeks external partnerships to fund the acquisition of necessary makerspace equipment.

A PRISMA-guided integrative review of digital preservation and ERMS adoption on e-records accessibility and information literacy in resource-intensive private secondary school libraries in Uganda

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This PRISMA-guided integrative review synthesises empirical and conceptual literature on digital preservation and Electronic Records Management Systems (ERMS) adoption to enhance e-records accessibility and information literacy in resource-intensive private secondary school libraries in Uganda. Despite growing digitisation, these institutions face critical challenges, including infrastructure deficits, policy gaps, and limited technical capacity, that undermine the long-term integrity and usability of digital records. A systematic search across Scopus, Web of Science, AJOL, and Google Scholar yielded 70 studies for thematic synthesis. Findings reveal that migration and metadata enrichment are the most feasible preservation strategies, while ERMS adoption is hindered by unreliable power, internet instability, financial constraints, and absent institutional policies. Although governance and preservation frameworks are well-theorised in the broader African literature, research specifically addressing Ugandan private secondary schools is virtually non-existent, creating a significant evidence gap. The review further demonstrates that poor e-records accessibility directly impedes information literacy development among students and teachers. To address these challenges, the study proposes a context-sensitive integration of the DIRKS model and InterPARES principles, alongside actionable recommendations for low-cost implementation, leadership engagement, librarian capacity building, and policy reform. This review contributes a foundational evidence base for researchers, educators, and policymakers seeking to strengthen digital resilience and pedagogical effectiveness in Uganda’s evolving educational landscape.

Influence of digital school libraries on information literacy and 21st-century skills development among sociology of education students in universities in Southwest Nigeria

Eniola Abioye Adeyemo — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the influence of digital school libraries on information literacy and 21st-century skills development among sociology of education students in universities in Southwest Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to obtain a comprehensive understanding of students’ engagement with digital library resources. A sample of 300 students was selected using a stratified purposive sampling technique, while 20 students participated in the in-depth interviews. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale and a semi-structured interview guide, and analysed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that students frequently accessed digital school libraries, which significantly enhanced their information literacy, particularly in identifying credible sources, evaluating information relevance, and conducting independent research. Digital library use also positively impacted the development of 21st-century skills, with critical thinking and digital literacy showing the highest improvement, while problemsolving, collaboration, and communication skills were moderately enhanced. Qualitative insights indicated that students valued the convenience, accessibility, and range of resources provided by digital libraries, though challenges such as limited internet access and insufficient training constrained optimal use. The study concluded that digital school libraries are essential for equipping sociology of education students with the competencies necessary for academic success and professional readiness, and recommended improved infrastructure, training, and integration of digital library resources into curricula.

Education for knowledge management in Nigerian tertiary institutions: Whose job?

Kingsley Nwadiuto Igwe, Mercy E. Echem, Ebisemen P. Lulu-Pokubo — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Knowledge is a strategic resource in the 21^st century, whether explicit or tacit. It is a fact that knowledge management (KM) practices lead to competitive advantage, greater productivity, and significant return on investments in organisations, businesses and corporations that implement KM programmes. Therefore, exploring the education for KM in the present dynamic society becomes necessary and inevitable. So, the question is who is responsible for facilitating education for KM in Nigerian tertiary institutions, which is lacking presently in the country. Because of the importance of KM in for-profit sectors, some disciplines like business studies, management sciences, information technology, and public health are laying claim to KM. The LIS education focuses on managing explicit knowledge, whereas the angle of tacit knowledge is where the gap exists. The paper notes that there are series of career opportunities in KM, as many corporate establishments are creating KM divisions while some consulting firms are already providing KM training programmes, but what remains is institutionalising education for KM programmes in Nigeria. The paper argues that LIS educators and other professionals in Nigeria should develop and run diploma and degree programmes in KM, as it is the case in other climes where LIS schools are championing KM education. It is believed that such KM programmes will contribute to the sustainability of information and knowledge management education in Nigeria.

Influence of the utilisation of ICT-based knowledge sharing on global performance ranking among academic staff in federal universities in Nigeria

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This research focus was to investigate the influence of Information and Communication Technology-based knowledge sharing on the global performance ranking among Academic staff in Federal universities in Nigeria. This was based on the premise of previous global ranking agencies and organisations results which have shown minimal performance of Federal Government Universities in Nigeria. This pointed the researchers to the need and the fact that there is need to proffer solution to perceived low global visibility level of academics and our Institutions in Nigeria as evident to their contributions to the global knowledge space. The study examined whether the low-level use of ICT facilities in knowledge sharing by academic staff in Nigeria could be responsible for the poor global ranking of most federal universities in Nigeria among many other factors. This study was guided by one objective and one research question. The scope of the study covered all federal universities in Nigeria while the sample for the study covered only six federal universities from almost every Geo pollical sone. The recommendations produced by the study were: Consistent training of academic staff to fit into 2lst century teaching instruction skills and policies should be implemented to guide and improve the use of ICT for Teaching, Learning and Research in Federal Universities in Nigeria.

The WhatsApp economy on campus: A comparative narrative review of student digital entrepreneurship In Nigeria and Ghana, 2018-2025

Kolawole Akinjide Aramide, Florence Dedzoe-Dzokotoe Plockey — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The emergence of the "WhatsApp Economy", wherein university students deploy a ubiquitous messaging platform as a primary channel for product discovery, negotiation, and payment, represents a significant but underexamined shift in social commerce across West Africa. This article presents a comparative narrative review of student-led WhatsApp commerce in Nigeria and Ghana, drawing on literature published between 2018 and March 2025 from academic databases including Google Scholar, African Journals Online (AJOL), ResearchGate, and institutional repositories. Anchored on three complementary theoretical frameworks, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Social Commerce Theory, and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Theory, the review interrogates how national institutional contexts shape the logic, rhythm, and sustainability of student digital entrepreneurship on both campuses. The findings reveal that whilst WhatsApp functions as a convergent commercial infrastructure in both countries, collapsing storefront, customer relations, social proof, and payment instruction into a single conversational thread, the two national cases diverge meaningfully in character. Nigerian student commerce is predominantly necessity-driven, shaped by institutional instability, recurring academic disruptions, payment fragmentation, and the imperative of continuous trust performance; it is best described as a "hustle model." In contrast, Ghanaian student commerce tends towards greater routinisation, supported by a more mature mobile money ecosystem, interoperable payment systems, and a broader digital business culture, characterised here as "digital professionalism." The review further establishes that the WhatsApp Economy functions as a hidden curriculum, cultivating marketable competencies in digital marketing, negotiation, and customer management, whilst simultaneously imposing welfare costs including academic – commercial role conflict and psychological fatigue. Gender dynamics are also examined, with evidence suggesting that low-barrier entry into WhatsApp commerce can advance women's economic agency, though not without attendant burdens of reputational labour and perpetual availability. The article concludes with policy and institutional recommendations for universities, entrepreneurship centres, and student welfare systems in both countries, advocating for the formal recognition and structured support of campus-based digital entrepreneurship rather than its uncritical celebration.

Lecturers’ productivity in state polytechnics in South-West Nigeria: A systematic review

Odunola Adefunke Adebayo — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article systematically reviews the recent literature on lecturers’ productivity in Nigerian higher education with a focused lens on state polytechnics in South-West Nigeria. The review was motivated by the persistent policy concern that polytechnics are expected to supply the middle-level technical manpower required for innovation, industrialisation and applied problem-solving, yet the evidence on the productivity of the lecturers who drive that mandate remains fragmented. Using the supplied outline as the organising frame, the article synthesises twenty-two traceable studies published between 2018 and 2025, prioritising Nigerian scholarship and retaining only studies for which downloadable online versions and DOI information could be verified. The review defines lecturers’ productivity broadly to include teaching quality, research output, project supervision, innovation, professional service and community engagement. Across the body of evidence, three recurring findings stand out. First, productivity is rarely uniformly low or high; rather, teaching and student supervision tend to be moderate, while research output and community engagement are more uneven. Second, institutional conditions matter greatly. Studies repeatedly link productivity to funding, office facilities, digital access, research infrastructure, compensation systems, retention arrangements, training opportunities and managerial support. Third, motivational and psychosocial conditions mediate institutional effects. Job satisfaction, engagement, recognition, manageable workloads and professional autonomy help convert structural resources into actual performance. The review argues that the productivity problem in state polytechnics should not be reduced to individual lecturer weakness. Instead, it emerges from an interaction between structural constraints, weak incentive systems and inconsistent organisational climates. Drawing together Nigerian and comparative evidence, the article proposes an integrative framework that links structural, motivational and contextual factors to four output domains: teaching effectiveness, research and publication, innovation and industry linkage, and service to community and institution. The article closes by identifying conceptual, methodological and regional gaps in the literature and by recommending reforms in remuneration, digital infrastructure, research support, leadership practice and staff development. For a lay reader, the central implication is straightforward: when institutions supply the right tools, fair rewards, time, mentoring and credible leadership, lecturers are far more likely to produce the teaching, research and innovation outputs that the polytechnic sector was created to deliver.

Integration of emerging technologies by school librarians for effective service delivery in senior secondary school libraries of Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT

John Okwudili Akanya, Ayodele Mandela Asebiomo — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The paper examined the integration of emerging technologies by school librarians for effective service delivery in senior secondary school libraries of Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT. Four research questions were raised to guide the study adopting a descriptive survey research design. The total population consist of 9 school librarians, and all the school librarians were totally enumerated for the study. Only eight copies of the questionnaire were returned with useful responses. The instrument consists of sections A and B. Section A obtained information on the demographic data of the respondents while section B obtained data on the variables of the study. The instrument was validated by two librarians from the University of Abuja and a measurement and evaluation expert from Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) Sheda Abuja. Data collected was analysed using frequency counts, simple percentages and mean score method of data analysis. Findings from the study revealed non-availability and integration of emerging technology in rendering of effective services delivery by school librarians in senior secondary school libraries of Gwagwalada Area Council despite the perceived importance. Based on the findings, the study recommended provision of relevant infrastructure to facilitate the adoption of emerging technology, formulation of flexible policies among others.

Availability and use of innovative technologies for routine activities at Olakunle Ogunmola Library, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Nigeria

Chidaka O. Nyemezu, Azeez Nafiu Adejinre — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examined the availability and use of innovative technologies for routine activities at Olakunle Ogunmola Library, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Nigeria. The study was motivated by the growing expectation that academic libraries should move beyond largely manual workflows toward integrated, user-centred, and data-driven services. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and all 40 members of staff engaged in acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, reference, and serials operations were included through census sampling. Data were generated through a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and weighted mean scores. The findings showed that the Integrated Library System (ILS) was universally available and was the most intensively used technology, while digital library platforms were also substantially present and moderately well used. RFID facilities were available to a moderate extent but were not used optimally. More advanced technologies, particularly self-check kiosks and artificial intelligence applications, were either scarce or minimally used. The strongest barriers were lack of staff training, inadequate funding, and weak infrastructure, especially irregular power supply and unstable internet connectivity. The article concludes that the library has established a basic automation foundation but has not yet reached a level of technology integration capable of fully transforming routine operations. It recommends targeted staff capacity building, infrastructure upgrading, phased deployment of emerging technologies, and stronger policy and budget support.

Reading habits and library service utilisation among students of Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, Nigeria

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines reading habits, attitudes towards library services, patterns of library utilisation and the institutional factors shaping students’ engagement with academic information resources at Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was motivated by concern that many tertiary students, particularly in professionally demanding programmes, depend heavily on lecture notes and fragmented internet materials rather than sustained academic reading and purposeful library use. A descriptive survey design was adopted. From a population of 1,850 registered students in the 2024/2025 session, 329 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected with a researcher-developed questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.89 and analysed using frequency counts, percentages and item mean scores. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the study found that reading habits were weak to moderate since only 29.2% reported reading daily for academic work, whereas 41.3% disagreed that they did so. Attitudes to library use were mixed because only 30.7% agreed that library use was essential to academic success. Library utilisation was also inconsistent: 31.6% visited the library frequently, while 41.0% visited rarely or never. Influencing factors included uncertain resource adequacy, weak awareness of services, limited digital encouragement, questions about opening hours and mixed perceptions of staff support. The article concludes that students are operating below the level of reading depth and library engagement expected in health science education. Although the available dataset is descriptive and does not directly model grade outcomes, the pattern strongly suggests that academic performance is likely to be constrained where sustained reading, information literacy and purposeful library use remain underdeveloped. The article recommends stronger reading culture initiatives, expanded orientation and information-literacy support, improved digital infrastructure and closer integration of library use into teaching and assessment.

Personnel competence and library users satisfaction in Federal Unity Schools in South-West, Nigeria

Taoffik O. Bello, Vincent O. Unegbu — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated personnel competence as a determinant of library users’ satisfaction in Federal Unity Schools in South -West, Nigeria. The study specifically examined user satisfaction with library services, assessed the level of personnel competence, and ascertained the influence of personnel competence on users’ satisfaction. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of 38,166 students from eighteen Federal Unity Schools, while a sample of 396 respondents was selected using Taro Yamane’s formula and proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis) at 0.05 level of significance. Findings from the study revealed that library users were generally satisfied with library services, particularly in terms of library resources, service delivery, and library environment. The study also showed that library personnel possessed a high level of competence in knowledge of information resources, ICT skills, service delivery, research support, and information retrieval. Furthermore, regression analysis indicated that personnel competence had a significant positive influence on users’ satisfaction in Federal Unity School libraries in South-West, Nigeria, explaining a meaningful proportion of variation in satisfaction levels. The study concludes that personnel competence is a key determinant of library user satisfaction in school libraries. It recommends continuous staff training, improvement of ICT infrastructure, and strengthening of user-centred service delivery practices in Federal Unity School libraries.

Provision and use of library services by secondary school students in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Olubukola Oluyemisi Ajiboye, Sanni Fatimah Ohunene — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the provision and use of library services for secondary school students in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive survey design, data were gathered from 274 respondents through a structured questionnaire. The study examined the types of library services available, the frequency of use, students’ perceptions of usefulness, and challenges hindering optimal use. Findings revealed that traditional services such as lending, reading spaces, and reference assistance were available in most of the secondary schools. However, the overall frequency of library use was low. In terms of perception, students rated the usefulness of the library services moderately, but challenges severely hindered access and engagement. Key obstacles identified included lack of current books, limited access time, lack of interest in visiting the library, and the absence of helpful librarians. The study concluded that although libraries remain a vital academic support system, their impact is undermined by inadequate infrastructure, limited engagement strategies, and student disinterest. It recommended regular library orientation, resource upgrades, the inclusion of library periods in school timetables, and capacity-building for library staff.

Addendum - Correction of errors

D. F. Elaturoti — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This is a correction for the article: Media resources utilisation and polytechnic lecturers productivity in Southwest Nigeria, Volume 21 1 2022.

The original article can be found here: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/nslj/article/view/264173

Addendum - Correction of errors

D. F. Elaturoti — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This is a correction for the article: Self-efficacy and media resource utilisation by polytechnic lecturers in Nigeria, Volume 19 2 2020.

The original article can be found here: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/nslj/article/view/221272

Editorial

DF Elaturoti — Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

No abstract.