The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Professor Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, held an interactive session with staff of the organization to commemorate her fourth anniversary in office.
The event which was held on 15th September, 2025 at the Corporate Headquarter was themed “Four Years of Holding on to the Mandate: Innovation, Engaging New Generation and Reaching the Unreached.” In her presentation, Prof. Anunobi said the theme underscores the constancy of the organisation’s mandate, while emphasizing that strategies must remain dynamic and driven by innovation, anchored on engaging the new generation, and determined to reach even the most hard to reach communities in Nigeria.”
Reflecting on her stewardship over the past years (September 2024 – September 2025), Prof. Anunobi highlighted notable achievements including, Sponsorship of 118 staff for capacity-building trainings covering professional and specialized competencies, Inclusion of 102 staff nationwide in the 2024 Readership Promotion Campaign (RPC), Recruitment of 94 new staff to replace exited personnel, enhancement of outsourced staff salaries and provision of welfare support to ailing staff, successful 60th anniversary celebration featuring a landmark road walk to the NLN headquarters under construction, development of the 2025–2030 new strategic plan, continuation of the International Digital Literacy Training, producing 141 certified graduates, securing NBTE Accreditation for the Centre for Advanced Library and Information Management and Matriculation of the third set of diploma students and remodelling of the Centre with standard hostel accommodation.
“These milestones are anchored on our 8-point agenda and aligned with the five strategic objectives of the 2025–2030 new strategic plan,” she stated. “This strategy represents the NLN’s journey in fostering literacy, education, research, cultural preservation, and access to knowledge.”
The National Librarian further unveiled key initiatives for the coming year, including, digitizing Nigeria’s cultural and historical heritage and delivering cutting-edge educational tools, expanding digital access through a robust virtual platform, promoting storytelling, creativity, and literacy through national and regional programs,
Prof. Anunobi expressed optimism for the early completion of the permanent headquarters, improvement in budgetary allocations, the delivery of an operational bus, expansion of directorates to enhance productivity and the forthcoming launch of the National Library of Nigeria Fund.
The National Librarian’s presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session during which she responded to all questions that were asked by staff.
Present at the event were, Mrs. Ngozi Odogwu, Director, PRSD, Mr. Hambagda Abubakar, Director, CD&TS, Mr. Bashir Salawu, Director, VLSD, Mr. Kehinde Ojo, Director, PSD, Mr. Emmanuel Okoro, Ag. Director, HR&A, Ms. Indogeist Akpabio, Deputy Director, Legal Deposit, and Mrs. Phylis Jaekine Head, IS&PD alongside staff of the corporate headquarters while those from the branches joined virtually.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Hambagda Abubakar, Director of CD&TS, lauded Professor Anunobi’s “leadership, patience, and commitment to knowledge,” and wished her continued wisdom, strength, and success.