More than 100 school librarians and teacher-librarians across Ogun State have benefited from a capacity-building training programme organised by the Budding Leaders Empowerment Initiative (BUDLEIN) in collaboration with the Nimbe Adedipe Library, in a renewed effort to strengthen literacy development and improve library systems in schools.
The training programme, which brought together participants from various public and private schools, focused on improving library management skills, promoting reading culture, and equipping educators with modern tools for effective learning support in line with global education standards and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).
Speaking at the event, the University Librarian, Abayomi Owolabi, emphasized the importance of functional school libraries in shaping learners’ academic performance and intellectual development.
He noted that school libraries remain central to building a strong reading culture among pupils, urging schools to integrate structured reading periods into their academic timetables and ensure proper maintenance of library facilities.
According to him, “functional libraries are not just storage spaces for books but critical learning environments that influence how children think, read, and grow academically.”
Also speaking, the Executive Director of BUDLEIN, Iyabode Kehinde, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to improving literacy levels across Nigeria through sustained investment in school library development and teacher capacity building.
She described libraries as “essential drivers of educational transformation,” stressing that no meaningful educational reform can succeed without a strong reading and information culture.
Facilitators at the training session provided participants with hands-on instruction in core library operations, including cataloguing, acquisition processes, classification systems, and strategies for sourcing relevant academic materials for students.
Participants were also trained on the use of electronic resources and digital library tools, a move aimed at modernising school library services and aligning them with contemporary teaching and learning practices.
Over 100 participants drawn from across Ogun State took part in the programme, with many describing it as highly practical and transformative for their professional development.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Yemisi Ojo, described the training as “eye-opening,” noting that it significantly improved her understanding of library systems and provided practical skills to promote reading culture among pupils.
Organisers said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to improving foundational education, strengthening school infrastructure, and ensuring that librarians are better equipped to support learning outcomes in Nigeria’s basic and secondary education system.
