Assessment of ICT Skills of Librarians in University Libraries in Nigeria.

What is it about?

University libraries today rely heavily on digital tools to support teaching, learning, and research. This study looks at how well librarians in Nigerian university libraries are prepared to use these tools and what factors help or limit their digital skills. The research involved 247 professional librarians from 15 universities across Nigeria and examined their access to technology, training opportunities, and everyday use of ICT (information and communication technologies). The study found that most librarians are comfortable with basic computer tasks such as word processing, internet searching, and email. However, their skills are weaker when it comes to more advanced activities like managing digital repositories, using data analysis software, or working with newer technologies such as artificial intelligence–based systems. This means that while libraries can handle routine digital services, they may struggle to fully support modern research and digital scholarship. Access to reliable technology and strong institutional support made a big difference. Librarians who worked in better-equipped libraries and received regular training showed much higher ICT skills. Federal universities generally performed better than state universities, mainly because they have more funding and training opportunities. Education level also mattered, with librarians holding higher degrees showing stronger digital skills. Gender, however, did not affect ICT competence. Overall, the study shows that improving librarians’ digital skills is not just about personal effort. It requires steady investment in technology, regular training, and clear national standards. Strengthening these areas will help Nigerian university libraries better serve their users and participate more fully in the global knowledge community.

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Why is it important?

What makes this study unique is that it goes beyond simply asking librarians how confident they feel about ICT. It systematically links actual skill levels to institutional conditions such as infrastructure, funding, and training frequency, showing that digital competence depends as much on organizational support as on individual motivation. The study is also timely because Nigerian universities are expanding online learning, digital repositories, and research visibility in the post-pandemic era, when libraries are expected to deliver more services digitally than ever before. By identifying where skills are strongest and where they are weakest, this work provides practical evidence for university managers, policymakers, and professional bodies. Its findings can guide targeted investment in training and infrastructure, helping libraries become more effective, reduce digital inequality, and better connect Nigerian scholarship to the global academic community.

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