Library Education and Training in Nigeria 1962-2022: A Development of Framework for Skills Needs by LIS Graduate for Functionality and Relevance in the 4IR Era

Abstract

This study examined library education and training in Nigeria 1962-2022: with the purpose of developing a framework for skills needs by US graduate for functionality and relevance in the 4IR era. A qualitative approach was adopted using documents analysis of documents downloaded from Web of Science. Research Gate, and Francis and Taylor databases from which a total of 45 retrieved articles were used as data source for the study. Three keywords were used in the information search; namely, LIS education and training in Nigeria, fourth industrial revolution 4IR. library and information science skills and skills development. The findings demonstrate that the curriculum contents is adequate in part but the students poor reception makes it inadequate since they cannot applied the skills they acquired through the curriculum contents in their place of work. It was found that LIS have skills to catalogue, index, reference, develop collections, compile bibliographies; partially search and retrieve information, while rare skills include web-design, database management, trouble-shooting and coding, data analysis, among others. This indicates that LIS graduates in Nigeria mostly possess traditional skills from the contents of their curriculum and training. Functional and relevant skills required by LIS graduates reported in the study are critical thinking, complex problem-solving, coordinating with others, people management, judgment and decision-making, emotional intelligence, negotiation, cognitive flexibility, and service orientation. Upon these findings, the study developed a conceptual framework which will serves as basis for the future related studies in Library and Information Science research.