Top Libraries in Nigeria & Locations: Full List
Last updated on March 16th, 2024 at 06:57 am
In an era where information can be accessed via mobile phones connected to the internet, it is important to remember the primary source of knowledge – Libraries. In this article, we will explore the top libraries in Nigeria and their locations.
An image of a Nigerian Library
Libraries are a vast wealth of information, consisting of books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc. Just like museums in Nigeria, Libraries can be found in universities, and are seen as research institutions where reading about history, architecture, can spur one to learn about reality. In short, they are generally public places where anyone can access the world of knowledge.
There are over 400 public libraries in Nigeria which serves as an archive of knowledge, as it holds the key to literacy. With their wide range of resources, libraries cater to different interests and age groups, encouraging reading culture and lifelong learning.
Nigeria, with its rich and colorful history, understands the significance of libraries. The country is home to a number of national libraries that preserve its cultural, historical, and literary aspects for future generations. First of all, lets discuss about the different types of libraries in Nigeria.
TYPES OF LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA
The following are the various kinds of libraries in Nigeria:
ACADEMIC LIBRARY
Most academic libraries can be found in universities. These educational institutions consist of universities, polytechnics, education colleges, and other similar establishments. Academic libraries are vital because they support lecturers in addition to students. Each faculty member at the organisation has a library. The university itself also includes a location where instructors and students from various faculties can obtain whatever resources they may require for instruction and research. Academic libraries now offer the ability to download books and research materials online and print them, thanks to technological advancements.
SCHOOL LIBRARY
The majority of nursery, primary, and secondary schools have school libraries. Different learning resources, including books, are available in this kind of library for both teachers and students. These books are only meant for small children and are kept in a very orderly manner. These kids benefit from school libraries by learning how to use them and by forming a reading habit at a young age. The school library provides instructional materials for teachers. Additionally, students read in a quiet, comfortable setting. They employ high-quality furniture and well designed educational resources. Achieving the goals of the educational system is the school library’s only purpose. They also aid in enhancing the students’ growth. School libraries support students’ intellectual growth.
PRIVATE LIBRARY
Both private persons and private organisations own private libraries. The general public cannot enter private libraries. The majority of people construct and set up libraries in their homes. The majority of it is set up in a room. Then, various literature for leisure and thought are stacked in this unique space. When people have personal libraries in their houses, their children can use the resources as well. It benefits them to become accustomed to using the library early in life. Churches might also own private libraries.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Libraries designated for public use in towns and cities are known as public libraries. Typically, public monies from taxes are used to administer and operate these libraries. Public civil servants often make up the workforce. Visitors to public libraries are not charged a fee. A public library has a wide variety of resources and books from all fields of expertise. Youngsters can also locate educational resources and publications that suit their needs. Books on a variety of subjects, including history, education, and medicine, can be found in public libraries.
Public libraries are frequented by people seeking information on any topic. They might also get information about travel, business, health, and other areas of the nation, as well as government actions and policies. To find out where to find the information you need in the public library, you must visit the reference section. The preservation of a wide range of cultural and ethical items is another purpose of public libraries.
NATIONAL LIBRARY
Government-owned and financed libraries are known as national library. Intellectual resources and materials pertaining to the nation’s history are preserved in a national library. The national library is also responsible for publishing the country’s national bibliography. Additionally, it protects the nation’s legacy so that future generations can learn about its past. Stated differently, the national library’s exclusive goal is to safeguard, conserve, and maintain the nation’s history and cultural legacy. The fact that national libraries do not lend books or other items to the general public is their lone drawback. They exclusively lease their materials and books to specific organisations.
MOBILE LIBRARY
Libraries that are primarily set up in moveable vehicles are known as mobile libraries. These cars travel from one location to another. The general public is able to use them in the areas where the cars are parked. They are primarily observed in rural settings, including villages. These mobile libraries assist the villagers in locating books and resources that address their basic educational needs as well as intellectual ones. The mobile libraries go between the villages.
SPECIAL LIBRARY
Typically, some organisations create special libraries. The special library’s contents are typically associated with the specific institution that houses it. Information about the organisation is stored in the special library, where it is always available for collection and retrieval as needed. There are always special users for particular libraries. These users are always authorities in that certain domain. The most knowledgeable people in the specific topic are the librarians working in special libraries. Special libraries can be found in hospitals, large corporations, and churches. They are not meant for the wider audience. The books in the special library are exclusively intended for use by the organisation.
TOP LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA AND THEIR LOCATIONS
Here is a list of the various libraries in the country and where they are located.
| Library Name | Location | State | Year Established | Website | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdullahi Mohammed Public Library, A.B.U Samaru | Samaru – Zaria | Kaduna State | 1963 | Link | Public Library |
| Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Library | Bauchi | Bauchi State | 1981 | Link | Academic Library |
| African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Center | Adeyipo Village, Ibadan | Oyo State | 1988 | Link | Research Library |
| Akwa Ibom State Library | Uyo | Akwa Ibom State | 2007 | Link | Public Library |
| American University of Nigeria library | Yola | Adamawa State | 2003 | Link | Academic Library |
| Anambra State Library Board | Multiple Locations in Anambra | Anambra State | 1966 | Link | Public Library |
| Azaiki Public Library | Yenagoa | Bayelsa State | 1998 | Link | Public Library |
| Badagry Divisional Library | Badagry | Lagos State | – | Link | Public Library |
| Bauchi State Library Board | Bauchi | Bauchi State | 1976 | Link | Public Library |
| Bayelsa Public Library | Yenagoa | Bayelsa | Construction began 2002 (ongoing) | – | Public Library |
| Bayero University library | Kano | Kano State | 1964 | Link | Academic Library |
| Borno House Library | Jakande Estate, Amuwo Odofin | Lagos state | – | Link | Public Library |
| Cross River State Library | Calabar | Cross River State | 1989 | Link | Public Library |
| Delta State Polytechnic Library | Oghara | Delta State | Nov 2002 | Link | Academic Library |
| Donald E. U. Ekong Library, University of Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt | Rivers State | – | Link | Academic Library |
| Edo State Library Board | Benin City | Edo State | 1971 | Link | Public Library |
| Enugu State Central Library | Enugu | Enugu State | 1958 | Link | Public Library |
| Enugu State Library Board, Central Library | Enugu | Enugu State | 1955 | Link | Public Library |
| Federal University Birnin-Kebbi | Birnin Kebbi | Kebbi State | 2014 | Link | Academic Library |
| Federal University Dutsinma | Dutsin-Ma | Kastina State | 2011 | Link | Academic Library |
| Federal University Lafia | Lafia | Nasarawa | 2011 | Link | Academic Library |
| Federal University Lokoja | Lokoja | Kogi | 2011 | Link | Academic Library |
| Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta | Abeokuta | Ogun State | 1988 | Nimbe Adedipe Library, FUNAAB | Academic Library |
| Federal University of Technology Owerri Library | Owerri | Imo State | 1982 | Link | Academic Library |
| Goethe Institute library | Lagos | Lagos State | 1962 | Link | Public Library |
| Gombe State University Library | Gombe | Gombe State | 2004 | Link | Academic Library |
| Herbert Macaulay Library | Yaba, Lagos | Lagos State | 1966 | Link | Public Library |
| Ibom E-library | Uyo | Akwa Ibom State | 2007 | Link | Public Library |
| Ikeja Secretariat Library | Ikeja | Lagos State | 1980 | Link | Public Library |
| Ilupeju Public Library | Ilupeju | Lagos state | – | Link | Public Library |
| Imo State Library Board | Owerri | Imo State | 1976 | Link | Public Library |
| Ipaja Public Library | Shagari Estate | Lagos state | – | Link | Public Library |
| Isolo Public Library | Isolo | Lagos State | – | Link | Public Library |
| Jenta Reads Community Library | Jenta Mangoro, Jos | Plateau State | 2017 | – | Public Library |
| Jos Museum library | Jos | Plateau State | 1952 | Link | Public Library |
| Kaduna State Library Board | Kaduna | Kaduna State | 1952 | Link | Public Library |
| Kano State Library Board | Kano | Kano State | 1968 | Link | Public Library |
| Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria Kaduna | Zaria | Kaduna State | 1962 | Link | Academic Library |
| Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan | Ibadan | Oyo State | 1948 | Link | Academic Library |
| Kwara State Library | Ilorin | Kwara State | 1968 | Link | Public Library |
| Lagos City Libraries | Lagos | Lagos State | – | – | Public Library |
| Lagos Library | Lagos | Lagos State | 1932 | – | Subscription Library |
| Lagos State e-learning Centre | Lagos | Lagos State | 2012 | Link | Public Library |
| Lagos State Library Board | Ikeja | Lagos State | 1964 | Link | Public Library |
| Medical Research Institute library | Lagos | Lagos State | 1945 | Link | Medical Library |
| National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) Library | Ilorin | Kwara State | 2004 | – | Research Library |
| National Library of Nigeria | Abuja | Federal Capital Territory | 1962 | Link | National Library |
| National Library, Calabar | Calabar | Cross River State | 1964 | – | National Library |
| National Library, Kwara | Ilorin | Kwara State | 1980 | Link | National Library |
| National Museum library | Lagos | Lagos State | 1957 | Link | National Museum Library |
| Nile University of Nigeria Library | Abuja | Federal Capital Territory | 2009 | Link | Academic Library |
| Northern Regional Library | Kaduna | Kaduna State | 1967 | – | Public Library |
| Ogun State Library | Abeokuta | Ogun State | 1976 | – | Public Library |
| Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library | Abeokuta | Ogun state | 2017 | Link | Private Library |
| Ondo State Library Board | Akure | Ondo State | 1976 | – | Public Library |
| Orolu Local Government Library | Ifon Osun | Osun State | 1990 | – | Public Library |
| Oyo State Library | Ibadan | Oyo State | 1954 | – | Public Library |
| Plateau State Library Board | Jos | Plateau State | 1976 | – | Public Library |
| Rivers State Central Library | Port Harcourt | Rivers State | 1962 | – | Public Library |
| Tolu Public Library | Ajegunle | Lagos State | – | – | Public Library |
| Unesco mobile library | Enugu State | – | 1958 | – | Mobile Library |
| University of Jos Library, Jos | Jos | Plateau State | 1972 | Link | Academic Library |
| University of Nigeria, Nsukka libraries | Nsukka | Enugu State | 1960 | Link | Academic Library |
| Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries | Ikoyi | Lagos State | 2000 | Link | – |
CONCLUSION
Our exploration of Nigeria’s libraries has taken us across the nation, listing all top libraries from public, national, academic and even state owned libraries in the country.
In order to promote education, literacy, cultural preservation, and economic growth in Nigeria, it is important to support libraries and cultivate a reading culture. By giving citizens access to information and chances for development, libraries assist people, communities, and the country as a whole.
Whether you seek academic resources to fuel your mind, historical archives to unveil the past, or simply a quiet space to lose yourself in a story, Nigeria’s libraries offer something for everyone. They stand as testaments to the power of knowledge, the importance of literacy, and the enduring impact of stories.
So, the next time you find yourself seeking knowledge, inspiration, or simply a refuge from the everyday, remember the wealth of possibilities hidden within the walls of Nigeria’s libraries. Step through their doors, explore their treasures, and embark on your own literary adventure. The stories within are waiting to be discovered.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
- WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LIBRARY IN NIGERIA?
The biggest library in Nigeria is the National Library of Nigeria, located in Abuja. It serves as the legal depository for all materials published in Nigeria.
- ARE THERE DIGITAL LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA?
Yes, there are digital libraries in Nigeria. With advancements in technology, several institutions and organizations have established digital libraries to provide access to electronic resources such as e-books, academic journals, and research papers.
- WHAT ARE THE OPENING HOURS OF LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA?
The opening hours of libraries in Nigeria vary depending on the institution and its location. Generally, libraries in urban areas may have longer opening hours compared to those in rural areas. It’s advisable to check the specific library’s website or contact them directly for their operating hours.
- DO NIGERIAN LIBRARIES HAVE A CHILDREN’S SECTION?
Yes, many Nigerian libraries have dedicated children’s sections. These sections are designed to cater to the needs and interests of young readers, providing a variety of age-appropriate books, educational materials, and activities to encourage reading and learning among children.
- WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING LIBRARIES IN NIGERIA?
Some of the challenges facing libraries in Nigeria include inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure and technology, limited access to current and relevant materials, insufficient staffing, and issues related to preservation and conservation of materials. Additionally, factors such as socio-economic disparities and lack of awareness about the importance of libraries contribute to the challenges faced by these institutions.
