OAU Library Week 2026: Exhibition, Reading Culture, and Knowledge Exchange Take Centre Stage

Ifeoluwa Lambe

The Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library of Obafemi Awolowo University came alive between April 22 and 24, 2026, as it hosted its annual Library Week, a three-day intellectual and cultural engagement that brought together students, academics, industry players, and the wider community in a celebration of books, knowledge, and innovation.

Anchored around the global observance of World Book and Copyright Day, the week-long activities combined exhibitions, reading engagements, and a high-level public lecture, all aimed at reinforcing the role of libraries as dynamic centres of learning in the 21st century.

The week opened with the grand unveiling of an exhibition that ran throughout the duration of the programme, transforming the library space into a vibrant hub of ideas, innovation, and collaboration.

A diverse range of exhibitors participated, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge production. Academic units such as the Department of Aerospace Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering showcased technological innovations, while the Drug Research and Production Unit of the Faculty of Pharmacy highlighted research-driven solutions in health and medicine.

International and national organisations also featured prominently, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information Science and Technology, both of which demonstrated the practical applications of research in agriculture, geospatial science, and sustainable development.

The exhibition further attracted private sector participation, with brands like Nestlé Nigeria and Golden Penny Foods contributing to the industry presence, while book vendors such as Deens Book Limited, Jasper Books, EWorld Books, and Probooks Nigeria reinforced the centrality of publishing and access to knowledge.

Other participants included the Ile-Ife Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO), the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, and the university’s Health Centre, among others, each highlighting the intersection between knowledge, enterprise, and societal development.

A major highlight of the week was the Reading Time and Award event, which drew a wide academic audience and underscored the importance of reading as a foundation for intellectual growth.

The session featured readings by principal officers, deans, and faculty members, symbolically reinforcing the culture of scholarship across disciplines.

The event reached a defining moment with the appearance of media entrepreneur Chief Dele Momodu, who delivered a reflective talk titled “The H.O. Library, My Story.” In his address, he recounted his early experiences within the university library, revealing that he once worked there before becoming a student.

Drawing from his personal journey, Momodu emphasised the values of discipline, resilience, and contentment.

“But you see contentment, I learnt it from here. My parents had no money but they managed to send me to school,” he said.

He also challenged young people to move beyond surface-level engagement with information, urging them to cultivate deeper reading habits.

“To my Gen Z, they should read more, all the permutations we do on social media, it doesn’t work like that in politics. We should theorise, but know there is a limit to theory. We should get very practical.”

The session also featured a readout of an article he wrote following the death of Michael Jackson, a piece that reflected on fame, humanity, and the complexities of success.

Awards presented during the event recognised outstanding contributions to the promotion of reading and intellectual engagement. Momodu received the Distinguished Ambassador of the Library Excellence Award, while His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, Arounkeye 1, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, was honoured with the Royal Father of the Library Excellence Award.

The week culminated in the Second Annual Public Lecture, delivered by Idowu Lateef Olagunju, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO.

Speaking on the theme “From Policy to Performance: Leveraging Library and Information Excellence to Drive Academia-Industry Synergy,” Olagunju examined the persistent gap between knowledge creation and its practical application in Nigeria.

He argued that while policies and research outputs abound, the real challenge lies in ineffective information flow and utilisation.

“The real gap lies in how knowledge is generated, shared, interpreted, and applied,” he noted.

The lecture highlighted the transformation of libraries from traditional repositories into digital and AI-driven knowledge systems, while also identifying systemic challenges such as inadequate funding, weak infrastructure, and limited collaboration between academia and industry.

He called for stronger investment in digital infrastructure, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, positioning libraries as critical bridges between theory and practice.

Across the week, several awards were presented to individuals and institutions for their contributions to the growth of the library and reading culture.

Posthumous honours were given to past library figures, while leadership and support awards recognised individuals who have sustained the development of the library system over time.

Faculties were also acknowledged for their engagement with OAUSpace, the university’s institutional repository. The Faculty of Administration emerged as the most responsive, while the Faculty of Technology recorded the highest visibility through searches. The Faculty of Education was recognised for compliance with academic integrity standards.

At the individual level, Adefumike Dada was celebrated as the Best Library Book Borrower.

Beyond the formal sessions, the participation of secondary schools and external stakeholders added a broader educational dimension to the event.

For many attendees, the week served as both an intellectual engagement and a moment of reflection on the evolving role of libraries.

By the close of activities, one message stood clear: the modern library is no longer just a repository of books, but a living, evolving ecosystem, one that connects knowledge with practice, fosters innovation, and remains central to the future of education and national development.