The National Library of Nigeria was established for the fundamental goal of ensuring access to the entire fount of recorded knowledge for the progress and development of Nigeria. It is to serve as "the giant memory of the nation, its intellectual store-house, and the data bank for its learning and remembering processes".
The National Library of Nigeria was established by the National Library Act 1964 which was later repealed and substituted with the National Library Act No. 29 of 1970. The statute enjoins the institution to:
I. Assemble, maintain and extend a collection of books, periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, musical scores, films and recordings and such other matter as the Board considers appropriate for a library of the highest standing.
II. To collect legal deposit materials, in order to facilitate the distribution of published materials.
III. Establish and maintain a branch of the National Library in each state of the federation.
IV. Make the facilities of the National Library available to members of the public and others on proper terms.
V. Make such arrangements as the Board considers appropriate with respect to: A. The exchange of matters included in the collection aforesaid, B. The preparation and publication of catalogs, indexes and similar aids, C. The provision of assistance to other persons in the organization of libraries and with respect to the manner of using facilities under the control of libraries. D. Make recommendations and give advice on library development or organization to any department or agency of government of the Federation or a State or to any Local government authority.
VII. Responsible for the development of the National Bibliography of Nigeria and national bibliographical services, either in a national bibliographical centre or elsewhere.
VIII. To ensure adequate documentation and dissemination of Nigerian Indigenous literature.
In addition, the National Library renders the following services:
• Nigerian Name Authority File • Nigerian ISBN Publishers Directory • NIGERBIBLIOS • National Bibliography of Nigeria (NBN) • Nominal List of Practising Librarians in Nigeria • Directory of Libraries in Nigeria • Request for ISBN / ISSN • Information Request • Abstract and Index of Newspapers
The Library has a vast collection of educational and informative materials. They include:
The National Library maintains offices and libraries in the various States of the Federation. Below are the State Addresses and locations of the National Library:
1 CORPORATE HEAD QUARTERS National Library of Nigeria Plot 274, Sanusi Dantata House, Central Business District, P.M.B 1, Garki – Abuja.
2 ADAMAWA STATE National Library of Nigeria Federal Secretariat Road, Yola. Tel:075-625447, 08053471015 e-mail: nlnadyolabranch@yahoo.com
3 BAUCHI STATE National Library of Nigeria Bauchi state branch, PMB 0282 (Kobi street) Bauchi Tel: 077-540067, 08076746075 e-mail: patgonchi@yahoo.com
4 BENUE STATE National Library of Nigeria Iyorchia Ayu Road, Makurdi, Benue State Tel: 08069733149
5 CROSS RIVER STATE National Library of Nigeria Cross River State Branch 2, Otop-Abasi Street, P.M.B 1197, Calabar Tel 087-235361, 08026761515
6 EDO STATE National Library of Nigeria Edo State Branch, Ministry of Education Premises PMB 1551, Benin. Tel: 052-259200, 08039539030
7 ENUGU STATE National Library of Nigeria, Enugu State Branch Independence Layout, Auchi Road PMB 1242, Enugu Tel: 024-454363, 08033355579
8 FCT National Library of Nigeria Area 2, Garki - Abuja. Tel: 08065518936
9 GOMBE STATE National Library of Nigeria Opposite Prison Yard Emir Street, Gombe. Tel: 08033738482 e-mail: nlnjewlcity@yahoo.com
10 IMO STATE National Library of Nigeria Imo state branch Plot 5009,New Owerri PMB 1556, Owerri Tel: 08034063575
12 KADUNA STATE National Library of Nigeria Kaduna state branch, Bida Road, PMB 2184, Kaduna Tel: 062-239224, 217467, 08062423548, 08020628630 e-mail: omotolagboyego@yahoo.com
13 KANO STATE National Library of Nigeria Kofar Nassarawa Opp. Kano State Printing Press, Kano Tel: 064-645614, 08035875221 e-mail: rakiyash@yahoo.co.uk
14 KWARA STATE National Library of Nigeria Federal Road Kulende P.M.B. 1447, Ilorin Tel: 031-223501, 08023215914 e-mail: nat.libraryofnigeriailorin@yahoo.com
15 LAGOS STATE National Library of Nigeria 227, Herbert Macaulay Street P.M.B. 12626, Alagomeji, Yaba Lagos Tel: 08037184216 e-mail: nlnrusdlagos@yahoo.com
16 NIGER STATE National Library of Nigeria Muazu Mohammed Road P.M.B. 171 Minna Tel: 066-221773, 08035986675 e-mail: nlnigminbranch@yahoo.com
17 OGUN STATE National Library of Nigeria 85, Ijemo-Agbadu Road Off Centenary Hall P.M.B. 2007, Abeokuta Tel: 039-242672, 08034466787 e-mail: mojisola@yahoo.com
18 ONDO STATE National Library of Nigeria Oda Road, P.M.B. 807, Akure Tel: 034-230818, 08054969611 e-mail: natlibakure@yahoo.com
19 OSUN STATE National Library Nigeria Omo West Area, New Ikirun Road P.M.B. 4393, Osogbo. Tel: 08023014832
20 OYO STATE National Library of Nigeria Plot 774, Opposite Court of Appeal Iyanganku G.R.A. P.M.B. 5235, Ibadan Tel: 02-2006459, 08053938402 e-mail: nlnoysb@yahoo.com
21 PLATEAU STATE National Library of Nigeria Yakubu Gowon Way Bukuru Road, P.M.B. 2160, Jos Tel: 073-462976, 08028845055 e-mail: danesty4u@yahoo.com
22 RIVERS STATE National Library of Nigeria 17 Afam Street, D-Line Port Harcourt Tel: 08052817791. e-mail: aojielo@yahoo.com
23 SOKOTO STATE National Library of Nigeria 12, Sultan Abubakar Road P.M.B. 2251, Sokoto. Tel: 08052868275 e-mail: nlnsike@yahoo.com
24 TARABA STATE National Library of Nigeria Best Centre/VTC P.M.B. 1142, Jalingo Tel: 079-23366, 222657, 08072051286 e-mail: hussainiabubakar64@yahoo.com
The Library is a store house of knowledge and wealth. Visit the National Library near you and enjoy its services and benefits.
