Quality library and information science education in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper espouses the rationale for public–private sector collaboration for quality library and information science education in Nigeria. In all the phases librarianship has passed through in Nigeria, it has been public sector sponsored. The paper identifies ways in which the private sector could participate towards ensuring quality library and information science education in Nigeria. It identifies the token presence of the private sector in librarianship as one of the factors that lead to infrastructural decay, inadequate or near absence of teaching and learning aids, low social perception of the profession and poor remuneration of librarians in the country. Ways that can could be used to attract private sector support are outlined. Private sector participation in librarianship will provide funds to acquire new facilities, maintain existing ones, develop infrastructure and equip libraries and resource centres which will ultimately lead to the production of technically sound and knowledgeable professionals.