By Adeola Badru

A seasoned library professional, Ayansewa Adedeji, has called on stakeholders within Nigeria’s library ecosystem to prioritise artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, stressing its relevance in today’s knowledge-driven economy.

Adedeji made the appeal during an interview with journalists following his recent appointment as Co-Chair of the Information Literacy Committee under the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

“I urge the Nigerian government at all levels to intensify efforts in supporting libraries across the country,” he said. “The knowledge economy revolves around libraries, and AI is fast becoming a core part of that space.”

He emphasised the need to integrate AI literacy into information literacy instruction in Nigerian libraries and educational institutions.

“I encourage the Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), and professional librarians to either domesticate the recent ACRL AI literacy framework or develop a homegrown version for Nigerian libraries. This will enable the promotion of AI literacy in schools, colleges, and universities nationwide,” Adedeji added.

He noted that this move is vital to ensure Nigerian students and professionals are not left behind as generative AI continues to shape how people access and process information.

Adedeji’s two-year term as Co-Chair will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. His appointment has been widely recognised as a significant milestone that reflects the rising influence of African scholars and library professionals on the global stage.

With over seven years of experience across Nigerian institutions, Adedeji has served in roles including Head of Libraries at Government College Ibadan (GCI) and Oduduwa University, Osun State. In 2024, he relocated to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Information Science at Florida State University (FSU).

Describing his new leadership position as “exciting and promising,” Adedeji outlined his responsibilities, which include curating and evaluating resources to advance information literacy in science and engineering disciplines.

“My role also involves developing assessment models, instructional methods, and effective teaching strategies to support student learning and professional growth,” he said.

“My overall goal as Co-Chair is to align with ACRL and ALA mandates in a way that has measurable impact on American libraries, students, faculty, and librarians,” he added.

His research explores the intersection of technology, people, and library services, with a particular focus on AI literacy and the future of libraries.

The American Library Association, headquartered in Chicago, is the world’s oldest and largest library association. Through bodies such as the ACRL Information Literacy Committee, it plays a pivotal role in policy development, educational standard-setting, and professional advancement within the global library community.