Residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State, have expressed deep appreciation to the Ife Trust Fund for spearheading the long-overdue renovation of the town’s only public library, located behind the Tower area in Lagere. The commendation follows decades of neglect and abandonment that rendered the old library unusable, resulting in a significant educational gap in the ancient city. However, while the newly constructed structure stands tall, community members have urged the Trust Fund to expedite the furnishing and equipping of the facility to make it functional.
The Nigeria Education News team visited Ile-Ife recently to assess the state of educational infrastructure, especially as it relates to the role of libraries in public education. It was observed that although the new library building a storey structure constructed by the Ife Community Trust Foundation has been completed, it remains totally empty, lacking books, furniture, internet access, and other basic resources required for a functioning public library.
Before this intervention, the only public library in Ile-Ife had completely collapsed due to years of structural decay and lack of maintenance. Leaking roofs, cracked walls, broken shelves, and the absence of staff led to its abandonment. Community members lamented that students, researchers, and even undergraduates from the nearby Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who once depended on the library, were left stranded without a proper reading facility.
A concerned indigene had raised the alarm as far back as 2023, appealing to all well-meaning Ife sons and daughters to come to the rescue of the dilapidated library. “This library used to be the pride of our town,” the resident said. “During our school days, even OAU students studied here because of the serene environment. Now, it’s a total shame that our leaders allowed it to rot. If this library collapses, it is a slap on all elected representatives federal, state, and local. Ile-Ife Onibaje ooo (May evil not befall Ife).”
Responding to these appeals, the Ife Trust Fund, officially known as the Ife Community Trust Foundation, took swift action. On August 24, 2024, the Foundation formally announced the commencement of the library’s renovation, emphasizing the critical role that libraries play in intellectual development and nation-building. “Our aim is to create a vibrant center for education and personal growth,” the Foundation stated in a press release.
According to the trustees, the renovation was fully funded by donations and support from indigenes of Ife, showcasing community-driven development in action. The scope of work involved not just structural repairs, but a complete redesign and modernization of the library’s facilities to meet 21st-century educational needs. The construction has since led to the erection of a new and imposing storey building that now awaits interior furnishing.
When our team visited the site earlier this month, it was evident that significant progress had been made. The new building stands firm with fresh paint, large windows, and properly laid flooring. However, the lack of chairs, tables, shelves, books, digital materials, and staff was glaring. The space, while promising, is still a long way from being useful to the community it aims to serve.
In interviews conducted with residents and traders around the Lagere area, many applauded the efforts of the Foundation and acknowledged the importance of the project. “We are very happy and proud of what Ife Trust Fund has done,” said Mrs. Alade, a bookseller. “But we are also begging them to please finish it. The building is there, but without books or even chairs, it’s still not serving the people. We are urging them to complete it quickly.”
Students in the area also voiced their hopes. A final-year secondary school student, Folake, who resides in Enuwa, said she was excited about the idea of having a functioning library again. “We need a quiet place to study. If they can put books, computers, and maybe the internet, it will help people like me prepare for WAEC and JAMB,” she said enthusiastically.
The Ife Trust Fund has not yet issued a timeline for equipping the facility, but community leaders are optimistic. Many believe that the success of the physical construction should now be matched with equal urgency in furnishing and deploying staff and materials. “If the library opens without delay, it will change lives,” said Mr. Olatunji, a retired teacher. “Children will come in to read, parents will encourage their kids, and the whole town will feel the impact.”
Educational development advocates also weighed in, stating that the project could serve as a model for other traditional towns across Nigeria that suffer from infrastructural decay. “It’s a powerful example of what indigenous funding and community participation can achieve,” said Mrs. Funmilayo Oduyemi, a literacy campaigner. “But it should be fully completed before the momentum is lost.”
As the people of Ile-Ife await the next phase of development for the library, the ball now lies in the court of the Ife Trust Fund and its partners. The physical structure is a beacon of hope; however, the true transformation will only be complete when the building begins to serve its intended purpose, empowering the minds of Ife residents through access to books, digital resources, and a conducive learning environment.
