Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)•Open Access
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Information Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North-West Nigeria:
An Assessment of Service Levels and Challenges
1 Digitization Unit ICTD Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Nigeria., Nigeria
2Department of Library and Information Science Faculty of Education Federal University, Wukari., Nigeria
3Department of Library and Information Science Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria
Published: November 6, 2026•Peer-Reviewed•2 Downloads
Abstract
This study examined information service delivery and the challenges affecting federal university libraries in North-West Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives: to determine the level of information service delivery and identify the challenges affecting information service delivery in federal university libraries in North-West Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 767 library staff from three first-generation federal universities in North-West Nigeria. A sample of 263 respondents was selected using proportionate stratified sampling technique, while 257 copies of the questionnaire were correctly completed and returned, representing a 97.7% response rate. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled TETFund Intervention, Technological Innovation and Information Service Delivery Questionnaire (TITIISDQ). The instrument was validated by experts in Library and Information Science and Measurement and Evaluation, and reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. The findings revealed that information service delivery in federal university libraries in North-West Nigeria was high (M = 3.26, SD = 0.69). However, the study identified major challenges affecting service delivery, including inadequate funding (M = 3.19, SD = 0.76), low digital literacy among users (M = 3.18, SD = 0.77), poor maintenance culture of library technologies (M = 3.16, SD = 0.81), and inadequate institutional policy support (M = 3.14, SD = 0.85). The study concludes that despite effective service delivery, financial, technological, and organizational constraints require attention. It recommends improved funding, ICT infrastructure development, continuous staff training, and stronger institutional policies to enhance sustainable information service delivery.
Keywords:
Information service deliveryUniversity librarieslibrary challengesfederal universitiesand North-West Nigeria.
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Declarations & Editorial Statements
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing financial or non-financial interests.
Funding Information
This research was supported through institutional academic funding.
Data Availability Statement
All analytical datasets and materials are available upon reasonable request.
Publishing License
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Authors retain copyright.