The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that a significant chapter in Nigeria’s international library diplomacy was written on 12 August 2026 as the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) and the Qatar National Library (QNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in knowledge exchange, research, technology, cultural heritage, professional development and public engagement.
The agreement was signed by Prof. Chinwe Veronica Anunobi, the National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, and Huism Tan, Executive Director of the Qatar National Library, in the presence of Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
The agreement is the outcome of a relationship that began with the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to the Qatar National Library in Doha. During her visit, the First Lady expressed admiration for QNL’s modern facilities and its approach to knowledge, research and cultural preservation, while highlighting the importance of properly documenting and preserving Nigeria’s rich heritage for future generations.
Following the First Lady’s visit, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, further consolidated discussions around the proposed cooperation and Memorandum of Understanding with the Qatar National Library. The Minister’s engagement with QNL reinforced the importance of technical collaboration in areas including digital services, preservation, staff development and innovative library technologies. Dr. Alausa subsequently facilitated the visit of the National Librarian, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, and her team to the Qatar National Library, providing an opportunity for the Nigerian delegation to engage directly with QNL and advance the discussions. The Minister had earlier identified the Qatar partnership as an avenue for strengthening Nigeria’s national library through technical collaboration, digital services, preservation, staff training and innovative technologies.
The visit of the National Librarian and her delegation provided a platform for professionals from both institutions to exchange knowledge on digital transformation, preservation and conservation, electronic resources, digital repositories, automation, smart library systems and public library services. The engagement enabled Nigeria to examine practical approaches to modern national library development while establishing a stronger foundation for sustained institutional cooperation.
The MOU signed in Busan now gives this relationship a formal framework. It provides for cooperation in scientific, technical and cultural areas and creates opportunities for cultural exchange, joint public engagement, exchange of educational and research materials, publications and professional knowledge, joint content development, collaborative programmes and mutual promotion of projects.
Of particular importance is the potential for cooperation in digital preservation and cultural heritage. Nigeria possesses an extensive collection of historical records, indigenous knowledge, publications, manuscripts, photographs and other materials that form part of the nation’s collective memory. Preserving these resources requires modern technologies, professional expertise and sustainable digital strategies. QNL’s experience provides a valuable platform for knowledge sharing as the National Library of Nigeria continues to strengthen its digital services and heritage preservation efforts.
The agreement also reflects a broader understanding of what a national library should represent in the modern age. Beyond collecting books, national libraries preserve the memory of nations, facilitate research, support education, expand access to knowledge and protect cultural identity. Through this partnership, the NLN and QNL can learn from each other while developing programmes suited to their respective national priorities.
The presence of Ambassador Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut adds an important diplomatic dimension to the occasion. Her participation underscores the growing role of libraries as instruments of cultural and knowledge diplomacy. Through professional exchange, heritage preservation and shared intellectual resources, libraries can create enduring connections between nations beyond conventional diplomatic engagements. Nigeria’s Federal Government officially listed Senator Prof. Nora Ladi Daduut as its ambassador to South Korea, and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently confirmed her presentation of credentials to the Korean President.
The journey from Doha to Busan is therefore more than a sequence of institutional events. The First Lady’s visit created inspiration, the Minister of Education’s intervention consolidated the discussions, the facilitated visit of the National Librarian and her team created deeper professional engagement, knowledge exchange created understanding and trust, and the MOU has now created a framework for action.
For the National Library of Nigeria, the partnership represents an opportunity to deepen international cooperation in digital transformation, cultural preservation, research and professional development. For the Qatar National Library, it opens a stronger channel for engagement with Nigeria and its rich intellectual and cultural heritage.
The signatures placed on the agreement may occupy only a small space on paper, but the vision behind them is much larger: a shared commitment to preserving knowledge, strengthening libraries and ensuring that the memory of nations remains accessible to generations yet unborn.
From Doha to Busan, what began with a visit has grown through ministerial support, professional engagement and institutional commitment into a formal partnership.
Signed:
Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, anipr
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Thursday 13th August 2026