From time to time TWL will publish condensed versions of certain articles submitted to the Editor. In this way a greater number of discussions and investigations will be presented to readers of the journal than would otherwise be possible.

Benki S. H. Womboh

A Nigerian University Librarian (UL) occupies an exalted position, equivalent to a professorial chair. There is a very good salary, and such fringe benefits as a chauffeur–driven car, official quarters and domestic staff, and an entertainment allowance. Holders of such posts ought to exemplify the finest in Nigerian librarianship. They should be individuals who command the respect of their academic colleagues, and bring favorable attention to the library profession. Unfortunately this is not typically the case. There are several reasons why not.

The inhabitants of Nigeria’s 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) represent a wide diversity of cultures, ethnic groups, and religions. In consideration of this diversity, a civil service appointee is required — by the “Federal Character” clause of the Constitution — to come from the area in which the position is situated. University librarians of the country’s 32 universities are selected, like other civil servants, with this criterion foremost.

Other criteria for selection of University Librarians are academic. Nigerian ULs earn the same basic salary as professors and in most universities they are considered equivalent to teaching staff. They are therefore expected to be publishing scholars, and to have international recognition for their activities. A doctorate, although not required, is usually an advantage to candidates. Another point of assessment is the number of years of experience; usually a minimum of 15 years is expected, subsequent to the award of the master’s degree or other professional qualification.

A typical vacancy notice is quoted here:

University Librarian.

Duties: The Librarian shall be responsible to the Vice–Chancellor for the administration and coordination of all library services of the University and its campuses, colleges, departments, centres and research units.

Qualifications and Experience: Candidates for the post of University Librarians must be qualified and experienced librarians, with at least 15 years post–qualification experience in a University Library or a higher educational institution. Possession of postgraduate qualification would be an advantage.

After the closing date for such an advertisement, short–listed candidates are invited for interviews, which are conducted by members of the University Council and at least two external assessors from outstanding Nigerian university libraries. After the interviews, the Council makes the final selection.

While this procedure seems straightforward enough, there are two problems with it. First, the expectation that ULs will be publishing scholars is not matched by specific requirements for a certain number of refereed papers or the like; indeed the notice quoted above does not mention publications. When professors are appointed or promoted, their publishing record is examined by scholars outside the university. But the publications of candidates for UL posts are not carefully assessed. In fact the academic stature of UL candidates is simply appraised during the interview. As a result, individuals with mediocre scholarly credentials are often appointed to UL positions, and do not gain the respect of the teaching faculty. Second, the impetus toward appointments of lesser qualified persons is of course enforced by the Federal Character clause. since there are frequently no persons of high stature available in the area where the appointment is located. In some cases, universities have decided not to appoint a UL because there was no suitable qualified person from the area. But usually someone from the area is appointed, with or without substantial qualifications.

Various unfortunate incidents have further blotted the picture of UL appointments. At least three universities have appointed their ULs without advertising the vacancies and without interviews. There was a recent case of an interview panel without any librarians on it. No challenges to such procedures have come from the Nigerian Library Association — whence a protest might be expected — because the association has no legal recognition by the government.

The overall outcome is that Nigerian ULs as a group do not display the professional and academic qualifications of their counterparts in the United States and United Kingdom. There are ULs who have no publications in international journals. Only about twenty percent of the current ULs have doctoral degrees. Our struggle to enhance the image of the library profession must falter in the face of such outcomes.

What is to be done? The only solution this writer can offer is for the Nigerian government to empower the Nigerian Library Association (or any similar body) to accredit library qualifications and to regulate the practice of the library profession. In the interim, the National Universities Commission should spell out uniform qualifications and procedures regarding the appointment of ULs, and see that ViceChancellors enforce them. The high visibility and professional importance of the UL positions make it essential that only the best qualified persons should be appointed to them.

About the Author

Benki S. H. Womboh is Assistant Chief Cataloger at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. He has taught the Department of Library Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Dr. Womboh’s most recent article was in the second number of the new African Journal of Library, Archives & Information Science.

© 1992 Benki S. H. Womboh