The Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing academic development through the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in library systems.
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This was disclosed by Sylvester Ebhonu, a resource person at the association’s 113th meeting in Abuja, organised by the Nigerian University Library Consortium (NULIB).
He said the workshop deliberated on the future of libraries in an AI-driven era.
Declaring the workshop opened, the Chairman of the occasion who is the Secretary-General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof. Andrew Haruna, emphasised the irreplaceable role of university libraries in achieving the vision and mission of higher education institutions.
Haruna said librarians were not just custodians of books but active drivers of innovation and knowledge creation.
He also encouraged the association’s executive council to ensure more inclusive activities, drawing participation from private universities as well.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of AULNU, Prof. Angela Okpala, introduced the workshop theme, ‘The Future of Libraries: Leveraging AI Innovations, Tools, and Applications,’ describing it as “not only appropriate but urgently relevant.”
On her part, the Chairperson of NULIB, Mrs Bukky Asubiojo, represented by Dr O.T. Emiri, emphasised the timeliness of the workshop, stressing that librarians must continually up-skill, self-develop, and position themselves within the rapidly revolving knowledge ecosystem.
Ebhonu, who showcased innovative AI-powered tools, including the AI Librarian Mentor (Bibliomentor) and the AI Reference Librarian, said both were designed to enhance library practice and user experience. Speaking on enabling Smart Libraries,” he said.
“Smart Libraries are not about sophisticated robots, but about libraries being user-focused, making intelligent decisions through data, innovating with technology and responsibly ensuring fairness, privacy, and inclusivity in service.”
Ebhonu advocated for the adoption of gamification in library websites to support user education, plagiarism awareness, and research skills. By using AI applications like Replit, Claude, and Grok, he demonstrated how gamified approaches could teach students effectively while keeping them engaged through rewards.
He called for urgent policy frameworks, data privacy, capacity building, infrastructure development, and ethical guidelines to ensure that AI was strengthened rather than undermining the role of libraries in academia.
The outcomes of the 113th AULNU meeting signal a strategic roadmap for Nigerian academic libraries: leveraging AI to expand access, improve services, and empower librarians as central actors in knowledge stewardship.
With stakeholders now equipped with tools, strategies, and a renewed advocacy agenda, the Association underscored its vision to ensure that university libraries remain at the forefront of academic development in Nigeria.
Recognised as the Digital Librarian for spearheading initiatives in digital transformation, AI literacy, and professional recognition across Africa, Ebhonu was recently honoured with the Dr Victoria Okojie Award for Advocacy and Promotion of Library and Information Services.
He was also elected as the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA).
The gathering brought together university librarians, systems analysts, and e-librarians to explore how emerging technologies could expand access to knowledge, improve service delivery, and safeguard academic integrity.
