The National Library of Nigeria has mapped out a five-year plan focused on digital transformation, wider access to library services, preservation of cultural resources and improved institutional capacity.

The institution disclosed this in its five-year performance review covering 2022 to 2025 under the tenure of the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi.

The planned digital expansion will be accompanied by efforts to improve staff competence in modern library practices and make its branches more accessible and relevant to learners and other users.

“The five-year agenda is expected to build on the institution’s recent expansion in digital services, collections, infrastructure and user engagement while positioning the National Library to play a stronger role in Nigeria’s knowledge and information ecosystem,” Anunobi added.

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Presenting her scorecard during a news conference yesterday, the National Librarian said the library registered 272,172 users and recorded 446,119 visits to its branches during the period.

Adding that 610,462 library resources were consulted, she revealed that the next phase of the organisation’s development would prioritise the strengthening of digital systems, expansion of the digitisation of rare materials and transformation of branch libraries into vibrant learning and knowledge centres.

The National Librarian also identified cultural preservation, literacy and lifelong learning, sustainable funding and staff capacity development as key priorities for the new cycle.

She said the National Library made significant progress in expanding its collections and digital services during the period.

According to her, the NLN issued 74,134 International Standard Book Numbers(ISBN) from 2022 to 2025 and received 28,002 titles through legal deposits.

Anunobi said: “The library also catalogued and classified 132,694 volumes, harvested 5,512 electronic resources and recruited 198 members of staff.

“Its holdings increased by 22,800 titles and 133,729 volumes during the period.

“The library had 5,242,791 titles and 13,973,369 volumes in stock at the end of 2022. Following additions between 2023 and 2025, its holdings rose to approximately 5,265,591 titles and 14,107,098 volumes.

“The Northcentral zone recorded the highest number of registered users, with 66,736 registrations, representing 27.9 per cent of the total.

“It was followed by the South-West with 49,125 registrations and the North-West with 36,453. The South-East, South-South and North-East recorded 29,003, 27,951 and 27,175 registrations respectively.

“At branch level, the Federal Capital Territory recorded the highest number of registrations with 46,872, followed by Lagos with 29,683, Enugu with 26,543 and Kaduna with 26,143.

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“The four branches accounted for more than 54 per cent of total registrations during the period.”

She added that the National Library recorded growth in its ISBN services, with annual issuance rising from 14,401 in 2022 to 24,948 in 2025.

Anunobi said that 33,000 ISBN backlogs were uploaded in 2025, while other services, including Cataloguing-in-Publication, barcode issuance and publisher registration, also recorded significant growth.

“Under its legal deposit services, the library received 28,002 titles and 158,980 volumes from publishers, authors and government between 2022 and 2025.

“The institution expanded its digital footprint through platforms such as the National Virtual Library of Nigeria, National Repository of Nigeria, redesigned website, upgraded KOHA online catalogue, ISBN Verification Portal, ISSN Portal, Newspaper Locator and Legal Deposit Application,” she said.

She said 167,505 pages of rare and weak resources were digitised, while 2,454 items were archived in the National Repository of Nigeria.

“The library also harvested 5,512 electronic resources and listed 1,152 new arrivals,” she added.

On infrastructure, Anunobi said two prototype library buildings in Osogbo, Osun State, and Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, had reached practical completion.

“Construction is ongoing in Calabar, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ilorin and Jalingo, with the projects at different stages of completion as of August 2026.

“Four branches were also renovated during the period, alongside interventions involving perimeter fencing, alternative power supply and student accommodation and toilet facilities,” she said.

“The library further reported 453 promotions between 2022 and 2025, with 648 members of staff in service as of 2026,” she said. (The Nation)