Chairman AULNU , Prof. Angela Okpala
The Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU) has called on universities to adopt institutional Open Access policies and restrict leadership of academic libraries to professionally-certified librarians.
The demand was contained in a communiqu茅 issued after AULNU鈥檚 114th Bi-Annual Conference and General Meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC)聽auditorium,聽Abuja, from May 4 to 7, 2026.
The University Librarian of the 水果派 of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Angela Okpala is the current national president of the association and delivered her speech at the conference.
The conference themed:聽鈥淢anaging University Libraries in the Era of Open Access Publishing: The Role of Librarians,鈥澛燿rew librarians, scholars, policymakers, and development partners.
Delegates said Open Access Publishing is now vital for democratising knowledge, improving research visibility, and accelerating innovation, according to the communique, issued on May 7, 2026.
They observed that university libraries are shifting from custodial roles to strategic centers for research dissemination, digital preservation, and digital literacy.
The meeting identified major barriers including poor ICT infrastructure, unstable power, inadequate funding, low digital literacy, and weak policies.
Delegates also expressed concern over predatory journals, misinformation, and the misuse of Artificial Intelligence in scholarly communication.
AULNU frowned at the appointment of non-qualified persons as University Librarians, stating聽that doing so聽undermines professionalism and standards.
It resolved that only librarians registered with the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) should be eligible for such appointments.
The association urged TETFund and government agencies to strengthen support for Open Access infrastructure, digital repositories, and broadband connectivity.
It recommended that Open Access publications and Institutional Repositories be recognized in accreditation and research assessments.
AULNU聽also commended NUC,TETFund,聽the National Library of Nigeria聽and the Nigerian Library Association for their continued support of academic librarianship.
The association聽 pledged to deepen collaboration among university libraries to establish sustainable Open Access consortia and shared digital infrastructure.