Evaluating the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

The present study assesses the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services at the public university libraries in Nigeria. With the world being swept into the vortex of this digital revolution, the expected transformation in libraries includes embedding digital technologies to meet users’ needs. While huge investments are being made in such digital initiatives, there is, however, skepticism regarding accessibility, especially in a developing environment like Nigeria. The paper synthesizes the existing literature in order to establish the state of affairs relating to digital resources at these libraries, discusses the challenges faced including infrastructure, funding deficits, and user awareness, and assesses the effect these have on accessibility. The results portray a mixed picture, whereby some libraries are keen to improve their services in relation to digitization, while various obstacles limit full usage in most of them. The findings point out that strategic intervention on improving the availability and accessibility of digital resources, policy reform, increased funding, and training programs for users are necessary.

Keywords

digital resources accessibility public university libraries Nigeria information services

Introduction

From the era of mere physical collection to an array of digital resources and services, university libraries have transformed significantly in the digital era. This is even more so within the context of public universities in Nigeria, where evolving adoption and integration of digital technologies have occurred in the operations of the library. This has created an urgent need for assessing the status quo of digital resources and services provided by public university libraries in Nigeria against the increasing demands of ready and accessible information. Digital resource and service availability and accessibility in public university libraries of Nigeria have been one of the crucial issues in recent times. This, different researchers have pointed out, is a failure of such institutions to move at the same pace with which the digital environment is rapidly changing. This, according to such scholars as Nnadozie and Nnadozie (2020), Ogbuiyi and Okpe (2021); Ugwu and Onyancha (2022), has to do with funding, infrastructure, and the need for constant training and development of personnel who can manage and utilize the digital resources.

This is partly because in most public university libraries across Nigeria, collections of digital resources, such as e-books, e-journals, and online databases, are not yet widely available. Adebayo et al. (2023) further established that most of these institutions have not been in a position to acquire adequate digital resources, since most times they face strict budgetary allocations, coupled with highly expensive subscription rates for digital resources. In addition, limited access to digital resources may result in students and faculty who are underprepared for carrying out research tasks, acquiring information in a timely manner, and staying up-to-date with the latest events in respective areas. In addition, accessibility-related issues of digital resources and services offered by university library systems have been recognized as a recurring concern within public institutions. As confirmed by Adetoro et al. (2022), most libraries have not considered users’ friendly interface, easy navigation, and adequate digital literacy training for the patrons, making it impossible for individuals to use available digital resources effectively. This is of great concern to the students and faculty that are leading divergent lives of digital proficiencies who may find problems accessing and using the available digital resources offered by the library.

Addressing these challenges is important; making digital resources and services available and accessible at public university libraries in Nigeria will no doubt have an increasing effect on the quality of education, research, and innovation within such institutions. Ezeani et al. (2021) underlined that fully fledged digital library strategies secure that acquisition, organization, and dissemination of digital resources are clearly outlined, supported by user-friendly interfaces, and combined with selective digital literacy programs. However, over the last couple of years, some meaningful steps have been taken to better the status of digital public university libraries in Nigeria. This is, for example, Okoro and Nwolisa (2023) referred to the adoption of cloud-based library management systems, which allows both efficiency and access to services offered in digital forms. The other areas are the tendency on the part of some institutions to make institutional research output more visible and accessible through increasing usage of free open-source digital repository platforms such as DSpace and Eprints. Notwithstanding these efforts, the general state of the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in Nigerian public university libraries still remains below par according to preliminary investigation. This calls for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, resource-sharing agreements through collaborations, and designing programs for developing digital literacy among library personnel and patrons in order to surmount these persistent challenges.

The present study is a comprehensive assessment of the status regarding availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in Nigerian public university libraries. This study, therefore, tries to contribute to the understanding of the digital landscape within these institutions and aids in the development of effective strategies that could be used in enhancing the digitization ecosystem within Nigerian public university libraries through an investigation into the current status of their digital offerings, identification of the key challenges, and exploration of possible solutions. The need for the reinvention of university libraries in the digital age is of some urgency in the Nigerian context, and more so in the public university system. The availability and accessibility of these digital resources and services have equally become an important benchmark for the assurance of quality in education, research, and innovation. In the wake of recent efforts to curtail the challenges, the situation surrounding the digital landscape of public university libraries in Nigeria remains far from optimal (Nwosu and Eze, 2021).

It is in this direction that this study will look at the current state of affairs in digital resources and services in the public university libraries in Nigeria, pinpoint the challenges, and try to suggest ways out for improving the situation regarding the availability and accessibility of such highly needed digital offerings. The study will, therefore, attempt to contribute to the efforts already being made towards strengthening the digital ecosystem in Nigerian public university libraries by undertaking a comprehensive state-of-the-situation assessment and providing evidence-based recommendations to further support students’, faculties’, and the larger academic community’s educational and research ambitions.

Statement of problem

The proliferation of digital technologies has transformed the landscape of modern librarianship, particularly within the context of public university libraries in Nigeria. Digital resources and services must be available and accessible to equip students, faculty members, and researchers with what they need for academic and research pursuits. However, the level at which these digital resources are provided and accessible within the public university library system in Nigeria remains an issue of high concern that calls for an in-depth investigation. Recent studies have actually indicated challenges faced by public university libraries in Nigeria in terms of the provision and accessibility of digital resources. For instance, Adeyemi and Akintayo (2022); Oyelude and Bamigbola (2023), have shown that most of the public universities across the country lack the needed infrastructure, finance, and competent personnel to integrate and sustain digital resources, hence their unavailability and inaccessibility to users. In a related manner, Oyelude and Bamigbola (2023) noted that the digital divide introduced into the higher education system of Nigeria occasioned unequal access to digital resources amongst some HEIs and within the geographical space of the country.

More importantly, Nwosu and Eze, in conducting the related research in 2021, confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated existing challenges, since the libraries of public universities had to promptly join remote and online service delivery, which they were not ready for, thus illustrating the urgent need to assess the readiness and capacity of these institutions for seamless access to digital resources and services. It is against this background that the present study will fill this gap in the literature with a comprehensive assessment of the availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria. This research will explore the status of current digital infrastructure, funding, and human resources at the concerned libraries, along with the perceptions and experiences of users in regard to access and use of such available digital offerings. In so doing, useful facts will be derived that might be used to inform policy into action by the policymakers, university administrators, and library professionals, who then formulate specific strategies and interventions that could be made to improve digital capacity in public university libraries across Nigeria.

Objectives of the study

1. To assess the current state of digital resources available and accessible in public University libraries in Nigeria.

2. To evaluate the user-friendliness and ease of navigation of the digital resources and services provided by public University libraries in Nigeria.

3. To explore the strategies and policies implemented by public University libraries to promote the adoption and usage of digital resources and services.

4. To explore the role of librarians and information professionals in facilitating the accessibility and effective use of digital resources in public University libraries.

5. To identify the challenges and barriers that hinder the effective utilization of digital resources and services in public University libraries.

6. To provide recommendations for improving the availability, accessibility, and utilization of digital resources and services in public University libraries in Nigeria.

Research methodology

This research aims to assess the level of availability and accessibility of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria, using the methodology of a literature review. The paper draws on available academic papers, government reports, and institutional publications that outline the present landscape of digital resources in these libraries. The review process follows established guidelines for literature synthesis, focusing on the identification of themes related to resource availability, accessibility issues, user engagement, and technological infrastructure. Materials are sourced from key databases such as Google Scholar, JSTOR, and university repositories for the last decade. The selected literature will be analyzed to compare various case studies and identify best practices. Limitations of this methodology include biases in available literature and the inability to gather primary data from users. However, it lays a foundation for understanding the current state of digital resource accessibility within the context of Nigeria and identifies gaps that future research could address.

Literature review

Current state of digital resources available and accessible in public university libraries in Nigeria

Until recently, the concept of academic libraries in Nigeria had been adapted to include growing interest in the use of digital resources to widen and improve the access to information provided to students and staff at the universities. The era of the digital revolution has rapidly changed the information environs, with public university libraries in Nigeria struggling to cope with both the challenges and opportunities provided by digitization of resources. This study, conducted by Adebayo and Oladokun (2021), researched the availability and usage of digital resources in some selected public university libraries in southwest Nigeria. The findings indicated that most of the responding libraries have acquired various digital resources, including e-journals, e-books, and online databases; however, user utilization still remained relatively low. It has been attributed to various reasons including limited user awareness, little computer and internet infrastructure, along with a lack of training and support for users to navigate and work through available digital resources.

A similar study was done by Eze and Uzoigwe (2022) to establish the availability and accessibility of digital resources in public university libraries in southeastern Nigeria. The results revealed that although the university libraries had acquired such digital resources as electronic databases and institutional repositories, the level at which access and utilization were made among the students and faculty members did not correspond with the level at which the resources were made available. They attributed this to some of the challenges that had to do with bandwidth problems, obsolete computer hardware, and limited users’ digital literacy. Ologbonsaiye and Akintunde (2023) examined the challenges and opportunities of adopting digital resources within public university libraries in north-central Nigeria. The findings pointed out that while these libraries acknowledged the advantages that would accrue, making their research lead to digital resources, the incorporation of such a change was a huge challenge resulting from lack of funding, technical support, and resistance by the faculty to effect a digital transition.

Adeyinka and Omotayo (2024), studied librarians in furthering the use of digital resources in Nigeria’s public university libraries. They established that for users to make full potential of available digital resources, librarians should be proactively inclined towards raising awareness, training users, and offering individual users such much-needed assistance. The study by Ogunmodede and Akintunde (2020) looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the provision and use of digital resources in public university libraries across Nigeria. Conclusion The results explained how this pandemic has accelerated the implementation of using digital resources since all services have to be taken online to ensure continuity. On the other hand, unstable internet connectivity, insufficient digital infrastructures, and more comprehensive user training and support were noted by the researchers as challenges.

The fact is that the literature in hand does suggest universities of public charter in Nigeria have made improvements, yet challenges remain to students and faculty about the effective utilization of the digital resources. Digital resource implementation, once successful, operates on different tiers, including infrastructure, funding, digital literacy, and user engagement (Nwosu and Eze, 2021). In short, the reviewed literature points out how public university libraries in Nigeria need to be even more aggressive in surmounting the identified challenges toward the effective integration and usage of digital resources. It may be done by investing more funds in digital infrastructure, offering influential training and support programs to users, and implementing strategies for enhancing digital literacy among the academic community. This will help public university libraries in Nigeria ensure the potentials of digital resources are realized and equally exploited by both students and staff in a well-built and updated collection of information toward meeting academic and research needs.

User-friendliness and ease of navigation of the digital resources and services provided by public university libraries in Nigeria

Indeed, the ever-changing face of this digital age has the settings for user experience and ease of access to resources for the patrons as the things that keep these libraries ticking. Usability of Digital Resources in Selected Public University Libraries in Nigeria (Adeyoyin and Adegun, 2021). The study discovered that while the libraries were making attempts towards digitizing their collections, the overall user experience was severely hampered by things like poor design of websites, difficult navigation through websites, and limitations on functionality that allowed for searching. This study, therefore, again reiterated the need to adopt more user-centered approaches in developing and managing library digital services. In this respect, Ogunaike et al. (2022) investigated the ease with which users navigate the digital resources provided in public university libraries of the south-west zone of Nigeria. It was found that most of the users had a hard time trying to find the information they needed due to clumsy menus, obsolete information on websites, and infrequent guiding paths for users. The authors suggested that intuitive design and responsive design principles have to be done in order for a better user experience to be achieved.

Nwosu and Ogbomo (2020) also researched the ease of use and its implication for the use of university libraries’ digital resources in Nigeria. According to them, users are normally interested in exploiting the digital resources provided the interface is simple and their search functions intuitive with the content being well-organized. From these studies, they deduced that the creation of easy-to-use digital platforms should be a focus of libraries in increasing the uptake and usage of the offerings. On their part, Olatokun and Adebayo (2021) investigated the factors that affect the ease with which navigation of digital resources in public university libraries in Nigeria is done. The other determining factors were the presence of search filters, clarity in information architecture, and responsiveness of the user interface across devices. The authors emphasized that this constantly means libraries should reassess and refine the navigation-related aspects of digital services in light of patrons’ ever-evolving needs and expectations.

More recently, Akande and Omolola (2023) investigated user-centered design for the development of digital services to support public university libraries in Nigeria. This current study reiterated the importance of engaging users in design and development as well as making sure users make regular feedback often for iterative improvements. This they believed would have meaningful implications for improving user experiences in navigation and, therefore, the usages of libraries’ digital offerings. Conclusively, the reviewed literature points out that at the core of existing scholarship is the primacy of use and navigational simplicity in the digital resources and services of public university libraries in Nigeria. These studies, therefore, have various implications on how such libraries should be user-driven, using responsive and intuitive design principles, continuous assessment, and improvement of their digital services to meet the dynamic needs and expectations of their patron communities. It is in regard to these key areas that the public university libraries in Nigeria can be assisted in improving access to and the use of their electronic resources to serve the present academic and research needs of their communities.

Strategies and policies implemented by public university libraries to promote the adoption and usage of digital resources and services

To this effect, public university libraries have devised a couple of policies and strategies aimed at fostering the use of these digital resources so that they are effectively absorbed into the academic population. Of the various well-known strategies adopted by public university libraries, comprehensive digital resource management policies perhaps have an edge over others. These would guide the selection, procurement, and management in such a way that the selected digital resources would align with the goals of education and research at the institution (Mulla et al., 2020). For instance, the University of California has drafted a Digital Collection Development Policy for its library system and determined how to develop and maintain its digital collections (University of California Libraries, 2021). These policies give the necessary framework and guidelines for making informed decisions on funding public university libraries in such kinds of digital resources, with the proper integration within the whole library context.

Apart from policy development, the public university libraries have also striven for increased discoverability and accessibility of their digital resources by incorporating robust discovery tools into their systems, such as all-inclusive search engines and instinctive user interfaces. The University of Michigan Library has just announced another digital library system that includes advanced searching, personalized recommendations, and seamless integrations with various campus systems. If public university libraries can make the resources more discoverable, then they will be able to create incentives for adoption and use by the campus community. Public university libraries have also realized the need to provide users with comprehensive training that enables them to fully exploit digital resources and services. This has, in turn, motivated different training programs such as workshops, tutorials, and guides that are done online, which may be employed in raising the requisite skills and knowledge needed by users to exploit these digital resources and services (Babu et al., 2021). A good example of that is the fact that the University of Maryland Libraries house one of the most complete Digital Literacy Programs, where faculty, students, and staff can facilitate a great number of workshops and resources in an effort to enhance digital literacy and optimize the full range of usage of its digital resources.

Besides the above-discussed ways, the academic libraries across the public universities have tried to instil a culture of digital engagement and innovation. This has been possible by creating places that facilitate investigations and playing into the digital technologies and their services. For instance, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has established the Scholarly Commons space of collaboration, providing advanced digital tools, data visualization software, and consultation services (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, 2024). In turn, the building of a spirit of experimentation and innovation in all matters regarding digital at public university libraries will prepare the campus community to participate in-even actively produce-their emerging digital offerings and services. Finally, several activities and policies have been instituted at public university libraries in bringing into being enabling environments that will facilitate the adoption and effective use of digital resources and services. It enables the creation of a comprehensive policy on digital resource management; increases the discoverability and accessibility of the digital resources; engages in wholesome training and support for all categories of users; and inculcates a culture of digital engagement and innovation. With a holistic and proactive approach toward digital transformation, a public university library can ensure that its digital offerings remain relevant, accessible, and consequential for the academic community it serves.

Role of librarians and information professionals in facilitating the accessibility and effective use of digital resources in public university libraries

The digitization of a growing number of academic resources and increased demand for remote access have placed heavy demands on librarians and information professionals in the public university libraries. Their role in facilitating accessibility and effective usage of the digital resources has been immense in supporting the learning, teaching, and research needs of the university community. For this, one of the important tasks of librarians and information professionals is to make the digital content discoverable and accessible. According to Mwale and Higgs (2020), there is a need to develop rich information discovery tools, which include federated search engines and subject-specific databases in facilitating the ability of users to locate and have access to efficiently the desired digital content. This doesn’t mean the application of these kinds of tools alone; equally important is the continuing curation and optimization of metadata to allow for better search and resource discovery.

Moreover, the librarians and information professionals guide the patrons in providing necessary guidance and training to use such digital resources effectively. Bock and Lengel (2021) found that users find it very complicated to navigate through the complexities in reaching and using different digital platforms, databases, and other e-resources. The librarians can empower the users to perform through comprehensive instructional sessions, online tutorials, and assistance in such a way that they become confident enough to go through the entire gamut of digital demands. Besides facilitating access and use, librarians and other information professionals serve to assure effective management and preservation of the resources in digital format. According to Gomes and Santos (2022), these should be made digitally available, available for the long term, and any such problems as the compatibility of file formats, data migration, and strategies of digital preservation overcome. It will have to be in close collaboration with information technology specialists and the introduction of efficient digital asset management systems.

Moreover, the emergence of open access initiatives and a greater emphasis on data-driven research have also enlarged the scope of their responsibilities. Kao and Chen point out that librarians and information specialists have been called upon to promote and support open access publishing, and guide on data management, sharing, and curation. Librarians have a role in making the university’s scholarly output visible and inclusive by educating researchers regarding open access policies, copyright considerations, and best practices for managing data. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the demand for remote access to digital resources and further raised demands on librarians and information professionals. In Gu and Li (2021), the authors investigated how libraries adapted access to digital resources without impediment or disruption and also provided reference services virtually. Some of the efforts undertaken included expanding e-resource collections, putting into place virtual learning platforms, and attempting outreach with innovative strategies for reaching out to users remotely.

With each passing day, the duties of librarians and information professionals in the digital landscape would continue to evolve. To that regard, Kang and Park foresee data analytics, user experience design, and integration of emerging technologies such as AI and virtual reality into enhancement in delivery and utilization of digital resources. This means continuous development of skills and knowledge on the part of librarians and information professionals to meet these ever-evolving needs of their clientele. Librarians or information professionals, therefore, facilitate great and effective use of digital resources in the public university libraries. Their work includes ensuring that the digital content is discoverable and usable for the users, guiding and training, managing and preserving the digitized collections, as an advocate of issues on open access, and always changing with the ever-changing nature of the digital environment. With increased demand for remote access and data-driven research, the librarian and information professional are assumed to remain indispensable in their contribution to support the academic community.

Challenges and barriers that hinder the effective utilization of digital resources and services in public university libraries

Indeed, the integration has faced several challenges and barriers. Recently, a number of studies have disclosed the complex challenges that face the fullest application of digital resources and services in university public libraries. According to Burhanna and Jensen (2021), students and faculty members at public universities are confused in understanding how to access and work their way through diverse digital resources. Poor digital literacy can lead only to frustration, underutilization of the resources, and a disconnect between what the library offers and what users actually need. With regard to this challenge, each public university should invest in strong digital literacy programs that are engaging and empowering for its patrons to take full advantage of the available digital resources.

Another crucial barrier exists, such as in terms of access and infrastructure. Several studies highlight discrepancies in technological infrastructure, along with connectivity, at large public university campuses (Shen et al., 2023). Eventually, this will lead to less accessibility of digital resources and services, which is particularly true for students and faculty hailing from geographically remote and underserved areas. Thus, this challenge requires a collaboration effort from the public university libraries, campus IT departments, and policymakers in ensuring equity of access in digital resources. Another challenge that faces public university libraries is that of user engagement and participation. Kenchakkanavar and Hiremath (2022), pointed out that despite the availability of these digital resources, a great number of users were either unaware or did not participate in the digital offerings of the library. This might be blamed for some faulty marketing and promotional methods, design, and interface of the digital platforms not being oriented towards the users. Overcoming this barrier, public university libraries need to place user engagement at the center by hence undertaking proactive feedback mechanisms for enhancements in user experience and increasing the adoption of digital resources.

In addition, another highly important challenge facing public university libraries is the issue of digital preservation and archiving. As increasingly more digital resources and services are being developed, the complexity regarding their preservation and long-term accessibility has also increased (Goh and Lim, 2022). Public university libraries should invest in strong digital preservation strategies to ensure the long-term availability and access of digital content, and collaborate with related national and international efforts. Finally, the challenge of funding and financial limitation cannot be ignored. Digital resources and services transition often requires an investment of considerable size in technology, infrastructure, and its continuous maintenance. The public university libraries have to strike a balance between competing demands for funding and ensure cooperation between university administration and external stakeholders in order to obtain adequate resources to support the effective use of digital resources (Odu and Akande, 2023).

In a nutshell, different kinds of barriers and challenges beset the effective use of digital resources and services offered by public university libraries. Ranging from digital literacy and infrastructure issues to user engagement and digital preservation, it is in solving these complex challenges that the digital offerings of public universities’ libraries will be available to make them relevant and timely in addressing patron needs. It is in these regards-strategic planning, collaboration, and innovation to meet these challenges-that the full potential of digital resources and services can be realized for public university libraries, improving both student and faculty academic experiences alike.

Recommendations for improving the availability, accessibility, and utilization of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria

The issue of utilization, accessibility, and availability of digital resources and services has been a recurring problem with which most public university libraries in Nigeria have been faced. Recent studies underscore the need for improvement in services so as to uplift the standard of academic and research support to students and faculty members. Digital Resource Availability: Ogunlana et al. (2021) established that most Nigerian public universities are faced with challenges in accessing digital databases, e-journals, and e-books because of poor funding and infrastructure. Adebayo et al. (2022) reiterated that there should be increased investment by the government and its partnership with private organizations for expansion in acquiring relevant digital resources that would suit the academic and research needs of the university community. Digital Resource Accessibility: There have also been numerous accessibility issues, where studies point to one factor of unreliable internet connectivity, outdated computer systems not updated, and lack of digital literacy on the part of library users. Nwosu and Ibe (2023) add that this can be achieved by using friendly digital platforms, increasing training of library personnel and users, and making digital resources mobile-friendly. Digital Resources Utilization: Despite the existence and access to digital resources, the usage has been very minimal and relatively low for both students and faculty in Nigerian public universities (Ajegbelen, 2020).

This might be due to various factors relating to a lack of awareness, poor promotion of the digital services, or general preference for print among users. Ezema et al. (2024) recommended that the library should be proactive enough in engaging the users and giving adequate training to its patrons, together with integrating digital resources into the curriculum. Improvement Recommendations: Based on the literature reviewed, the following recommendations have the potential for improving the availability, accessibility, and use of digital resources and services in public university libraries in Nigeria:

1. The funding and investment in digital infrastructure, such as high-speed internet connectivity, modern computer systems, and even cloud-based storage solutions, are something that needs to be improved (Adebayo et al., 2022)

2. There is a need to improve the acquisition of relevant digital resources, especially e-journals, e-books, and specialized databases through collaborations with private organizations and international consortia (Ogunlana et al., 2021).

3. Facile digital interfaces with mobile-friendly access to digital resources need to be introduced, along with extensive training programs for library personnel and users as well (Nwosu and Ibe, 2023).

4. Marketing strategies aimed at creating awareness related to available digital resources and services, along with user engagement to establish their needs and preferences, need to be planned and set into motion (Oyewo and Akintunde, 2022).

5. Integrate digital resources and services into the curriculum and collaborate with the faculty in encouraging the use of digital materials in teaching and research.

Addressing these recommendations would, therefore, see the PUNs in Nigeria working to enhance the availability, accessibility, and usability of digital resources and services toward improving the quality of academic and research support provided to the students and faculty across campuses.

Conclusion

This literature review has identified that even as Nigerian public university libraries increasingly turn towards digital resources and services, effective barriers to their use persist. Inconsistent internet connectivity, inadequate funding, and a lack of digital literacy among users are some of the major issues. It says that a number of libraries have made remarkable steps in the building up of their digital collections and services, though much of the efforts are undermined by infrastructural and systemic deficits. This inconsistency is what complicates the users’ ability to benefit fully from the resources available; therefore, it creates an urgent need for addressing such challenges in the best interest of optimizing digital resources. By improving infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring sustainable funding, public university libraries can better serve their communities and play a crucial role in advancing education and research in Nigeria.

Footnotes

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

ORCID iD

Ogagaoghene Uzezi Idhalama

Author biographies

Ogagaoghene Uzezi Idhalama, (Ambrose Alli University) Idhalama is a lecturer in the department of library and information science at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State of Nigeria. He holds a B Sc. and MLIS from Ambrose Alli University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University respectively. Idhalama is presently on his Ph.D at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. The author is a reviewer to many national and international journals which are indexed by world indexing bodies including Scopus and Web of Science. He is also a Chartered Librarian of Nigeria (CLN) registered by the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN). With a number of prizes to his credit, he has published over thirty-six (36) articles in both national and international journals. Areas of interest are information behavior, knowledge management, artificial intelligence, library management, digital literacy and emerging trends in LIS. He can be reached via (idhalamao@gmail.com)/(idha.lama@aauekpoma.edu.ng).

John Otieno Oredo, (University of Nairobi) Lectures in the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Nairobi and served as a Researcher at Kenya Education Network. He holds a PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Information Systems) and MSc. IT degrees. His research is at the interface of digital technologies and society focussing on digital transformation, AI ethics, data science and humanitarian supply chain. He has published in ranked information systems and supply chain journals. He currently serves as a Senior Editor for the Information Technology & People journal. He is an active member of Professional associations that include ISACA, INFORMS, PMI, and AIS (President, East African Chapter) and holds industry certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).

Elisha Ondieki Makori, (University of Nairobi) Elisha Ondieki Makori (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development programmes at the University of Nairobi (UoN), with over 25 years of experience 11 years at UoN. With PhD in Information Science from Moi University, research interest focuses in artificial intelligence, data and informatics, management information systems, ICT and digital innovations. Passionate about practical research applications to address human problems, foster multidisciplinary connections and support interactive learning environment. He is dedicated to critical thinking and practical innovations to enhance humanism. As a leader, he provides mentorship and guidance and actively participates in community sustainable transformation and development programmes, including climate adaptation, agriculture, health, education and the digital economy. As a strong advocate for entrepreneurship, governance and innovation, partners in financial and business ventures. He has participated in research projects and published numerous research publications and articles in international journals and international conferences. Additionally, he serves on the Reviewers Board for Human-Computer Interaction at the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and is an active member of the organization. Email address: elishaondieki@uonbi.ac.ke or elishaondieki@gmail.com.

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