A civil society organisation, Global Policy Advocacy and Leadership Initiative (GPALI) has accused the Registrar and CEO of the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) of corruption, incompetence, and other ethical violations.
The allegations were detailed in a petition submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions dated October 8, 2024.
In the petition, titled “Petition Against the Registrar/CEO of the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN),” GPALI’s National Coordinator, Ambassador Yohannan Jonathan Azazi, expressed deep concerns about the current leadership of the Council, which is responsible for regulating and setting standards for librarianship in Nigeria.
“We, the Global Policy Advocacy and Leadership Initiative (GPALI), write to you to express our grave concern regarding the current leadership of the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) under the Registrar/CEO. The integrity of this professional body, tasked with regulating librarianship and setting standards across Nigeria, is at serious risk due to the following alarming issues,” the petition read.
GPALI claimed that the Registrar has demonstrated a lack of leadership skills, which they argued has compromised the council’s mandate. They also alleged neglect in maintaining international standards, which they believed has hindered the professional development of Nigerian Librarians.
The petition further accused the Registrar of financial misconduct, including diversifying funds for staff welfare and engaging in practices that compromise the council’s credibility, such as exam and promotion irregularities.
The accusations extended to alleged kickbacks from junior staff and contractors, contributing to an environment of unethical practices within the council. GPALI also highlighted reports of staff discontent and absenteeism attributed to the Registrar’s alleged high-handedness and the non-payment of salaries.
In their appeal to the National Assembly, GPALI urged swift action to restore the council’s integrity. “Given these serious concerns, we implore the National Assembly, as the House of the People, to intervene swiftly. A thorough investigation into the conduct of the LRCN Registrar is imperative to restore the Council’s integrity and ensure it fulfils its regulatory role effectively.”
The petition concluded with a call for immediate intervention to safeguard the future of the librarianship profession in Nigeria. “We trust that you will treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it warrants, for the sake of the profession and the welfare of all stakeholders involved,” the petition stated.
