The Nimbe Adedipe Library at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has launched a major renovation project aimed at transforming the facility into a modern library that can rival other university libraries across Nigeria and Africa. The university has recently invested in new chairs and modern tables to enhance the library environment, addressing concerns that an outdated setting has deterred students from visiting the library to study.
According to the University Librarian, Professor Kehinde Owolabi, a comfortable and well-equipped reading environment can significantly boost students’ academic performance.
The library now boasts over 35 electronic resources, including J-Gate, providing students and staff with access to scholarly materials anytime, anywhere. The University Librarian emphasized that timely access to accurate information is a core function of any academic library, both in developed and developing countries.
During a recent interview, the University Librarian, who has traveled widely within and beyond Nigeria, shared his vision for creating a library that meets global standards, stating, “My goal is for our university library to serve as a model of excellence.”
Additionally, the university is expecting over 1,000 new books in preparation for upcoming accreditation reviews. The library’s Institutional Repository (IR) will further enhance research visibility by showcasing students’ theses, research projects, and faculty publications, thereby improving citations and strengthening the university’s reputation as a leading agricultural institution in Africa.
The University Librarian expressed gratitude to TETFund, the Library Management Committee, library staff, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Babatunde Kehinde, for their unwavering support in making this transformation possible.
