The President of the Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Ummuna Opara has reacted to an online article published by the International Center for Investigative Reporting on July 5, 2018.
In a release issued on Saturday July 7, 2018, Dr. Opara passed across the following message:
Re – “Intellectual trafficking: How Librarians of top Nigerian universities exchange student theses for money”
The attention of the Nigerian Library Association has been drawn to a report by ‘Kunle Adebajo of International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) on “Intellectual Trafficking: How librarians of top Nigerian varsities exchange student theses for money”.
The Association affirms that Nigerian Librarians are ethical in the provision of library and information services having sworn on oath as certified librarians to maintain integrity in granting access to information.
As information professionals, we appreciate the need for functional and fully staffed libraries in our tertiary institutions for a well rounded education. NLA decries sensationalism and ‘click-bait’ headlines. Rather as a professional body in the knowledge chain, we advocate for balanced and accurate presentation of facts in the dissemination of information.
The foregoing notwithstanding, the Association will investigate the claims made in the report and mete out appropriate disciplinary measures where necessary.
Thank you.