Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri

Introduction

Dr. Ngozi Maria Nwaohiri, Ph.D., CLN, is the University Librarian of Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), Ideato, Imo State, Nigeria. She is an accomplished academic librarian, researcher, information technology specialist and administrator with over two decades of experience in library and information science, digital information management, research support and university administration.

Her professional interests include library automation, digital transformation, information literacy, knowledge management, electronic resources and the application of emerging technologies to academic library services.

Academic qualifications

She obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in French from Abia State University, Uturu, in 1997, a Master of Library Science (MLS) from Imo State University, Owerri, in 2007, and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Information Technology from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, in 2012.

In 2019, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Library and Information Science from Abia State University, Uturu.

She has also undertaken specialised professional training in Modern Library Practices at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai, India (2016); Professional Development for African Library and Information Professionals at the University of Pretoria, South Africa (2015); and Linux and Oracle Database Administration (2014).

Her additional professional training covers open educational resources, research information systems, digital publishing, knowledge management and emerging technologies in library services.

Research and contributions to knowledge

Dr. Nwaohiri's research focuses on information technology adoption, library digitisation, electronic information resources, knowledge management, information literacy, entrepreneurship education and the evolving role of academic libraries in higher education.

She has authored and co-authored numerous scholarly articles published in national and international journals, addressing issues such as library automation, digital inclusion, social networking in academic libraries, open educational resources, sustainable development and information service delivery.

Her publications include The Role of Digitization on Data Protection and Recovery in Libraries: An International Perspective (2017), Positive Perception and Academic Performance of Undergraduates on Entrepreneurial Courses in Library and Information Science Schools (2019), and Open Educational Resources (OER) in Nigerian Universities: Promotion and Awareness Opportunities for Academic Libraries (2021).

She has also contributed to scholarly books on knowledge management and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including editorial and research contributions to works published by Emerald Publishing, United Kingdom.

Her contributions extend to the development of institutional repositories, electronic resource management, information literacy programmes and the promotion of university research outputs through digital platforms.

International engagement

Dr. Nwaohiri has participated in international academic and professional development programmes in the United Kingdom, South Africa, India and Ghana.

In 2015, she undertook professional development training at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, focusing on the development of the next generation of African library and information professionals.

In 2016, she participated in an advanced programme on Modern Library Practices in Chennai, India, and delivered a presentation at the University of Madras on emerging technologies and user-friendly library services.

She has also participated in international conferences and professional programmes addressing digital librarianship, information technology, scholarly communication and women's participation in higher education.

Leadership and administration

Before joining KOMU, Dr. Nwaohiri served at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), where she held several academic and administrative positions between 2001 and 2021, including:

• Graduate Assistant, Serials, Acquisition and Processing Units: 2001–2008
• Assistant Librarian, Documents, Training, Research and Statistics Units: 2009–2010
• School Librarian, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology: 2012–2013
• Librarian II, ICT Unit: 2014–2016
• Reference Librarian: 2017–2018
• Acting Coordinator, User Services Unit: 2018
• Senior Librarian, Bibliographic Unit: 2019–2020
• Coordinator, Institutional Repository Unit: 2020–2021

During her service at FUTO, she contributed to library automation, digital repository development, research visibility, information literacy training and electronic resource management. She also taught the Use of Library component of GST 102 and participated in institutional accreditation and resource assessment activities.

She joined Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University in November 2021 as University Librarian.

At KOMU, she oversees the development and administration of the University Library, including the acquisition of scholarly resources, subscription to electronic research databases, provision of digital library services and the promotion of information literacy among students and staff.

She has championed the development of the University's e-library services, expanded access to electronic information resources and promoted faculty-focused research support initiatives, including the concept of embedded librarians and research clinics.

Professional affiliations

Dr. Nwaohiri is affiliated with several national and international professional associations, including:

• Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN)
• Nigerian Library Association (NLA)
• Association of University Librarians of Nigerian Universities (AULNU)
• American Library Association (ALA)
• Association of Women Librarians in Nigeria (AWLIN)

She has also contributed to professional committees involved in library development, academic staff publication assessment, institutional accreditation and the advancement of library and information science education.

Honours and recognition

In November 2016, Dr. Nwaohiri received the Best Paper Presentation Award at an international conference organised by KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, India, for her research on marketing information products and services in academic libraries in South-East Nigeria.

She also received recognition for her presentation on emerging technologies and user-friendly library services during the National Library Week programme at the University of Madras, Chennai, India, in 2016.

Her professional contributions reflect a sustained commitment to innovation, digital librarianship, research development and excellence in academic information services.

Community and culture

Beyond her academic and professional responsibilities, Dr. Nwaohiri is actively involved in community development, women's empowerment and religious service.

She has served as President of the Ibeafor Women Development Union, contributing to community mobilisation, women's participation and grassroots development.

She has also held leadership positions in Catholic women's organisations and other faith-based associations, demonstrating her commitment to community service, social responsibility and humanitarian values.