The National Librarian Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi and her management staff on Tuesday 8th April 2025 welcomed members of African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AFLIA) for a three days Specialized Wikimedia Training Workshop held at the Headquarters Boardroom in Abuja.
This workshop is a Collaboration between National Library of Nigeria and African Library and Information Associations, it is aimed at enhancing the integration of Nigerian Library resources into the global open knowledge ecosystem. The Training is for National Library Staff, the initiative is supported by the Wikimedia Foundation’s Knowledge Equity Fund and Wikimedia Deutschland.
The National Librarian Professor Anunobi in her welcome remark said that this capacity-building workshop is a timely intervention that aligns with the National Library of Nigeria enduring commitment and other African National Libraries to promote the online visibility of our rich Intellectual heritage, particularly the works of our indigenous authors and locally published materials. She further highlighted that AFLIA commitment to revamping librarianship on the African continent is what fascinated our great partners-Wikimedia foundation’s knowledge Equity Fund and Wikimedia Deutschland to sponsor this great project which is targeted at bringing African Libraries resources to global scale accessibility and discoverability. She afterwards encouraged the lucky participants, the first cohort of its kind in Africa to approach this training with a curious mind and a bold spirit. She said let it be the beginning of a journey for them to become digital ambassadors of Nigeria national heritage and indeed Africa as a whole.
Dr. Nkem Osuigwe, Director of Human Capacity Development and Training at AFLIA, outlined the goals of the project. She emphasized the need for African librarians to enhance their global presence. She said they will teach participants how to link cataloguing details to global databases and create a unique identity for the National Library of Nigeria, Dr. Osuigwe also revealed plans to develop a training course based on this initiative that will serve as a model for other African libraries.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Dominic Omokaro, President of the Nigerian Association, commended Professor Anunobi’s leadership for prioritizing professional development. He praised the organizers for designing a practical and impactful training initiative. He said that this workshop is timely and forward-thinking, especially as libraries globally redefine their roles in the digital era. he encouraged participants to engage deeply and apply their knowledge creatively.
Dr. Angela Ebele Okpala, University Librarian, National Open University of Nigeria who was unavoidably absent but was represented by Dr. Adetola Akanbiemu in her good will message stressed the importance of integrating Nigerian library resources into the global open knowledge economy. She said this collaboration underscores the critical role libraries play in preserving cultural memory, ensuring free access to knowledge, and advancing sustainable development. National Open University of Nigeria strongly support the use of digital platforms like Wikimedia to enhance the visibility and preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual heritage.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by senior management of the National Library of Nigeria, including Mr. Yue (Director, Finance and Account), Mr. Bashiru Salawu (Director, VLSD), and Mr. Abubakar Husani Hambagda (Director, CDTS). They expressed appreciation to Professor Anunobi, AfLIA, and Wikimedia Deutschland for this meaningful collaboration and encouraged participants to make the most of the training. The AfLIA team leading the workshop includes Dr. Nkem Osuigwe, Stanley Boake Achampong (Research Coordinator/Communication Officer), Doreen Appiah (Program Officer), and Eunice Jones Arthur (Membership Officer).
The workshop represents a significant step in bridging the knowledge gap and positioning African libraries, particularly Nigeria’s, at the forefront of the global digital knowledge space