Abia National Library Faces Lockout Over 10-Year Unpaid Rent

Abia National Library Faces Lockout Over 10-Year Unpaid Rent

The National Library of Nigeria, Umuahia branch, is on the brink of ejection as its host community, Ohokobe Mbaocha Ndume Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, has sealed off its temporary office over 10 years of unpaid rent.

Community leaders, invoking the traditional “Okonko” cultural practice, barred staff from accessing the facility using symbolic palm fronds, prompting urgent appeals to the Abia State Government for intervention.

Speaking with journalists, the Head of Branch and Deputy Director of the National Library, Mr. Enang Ikpi Efoli, revealed that the library has made several written appeals to the government with no response, despite the community’s growing impatience.

Mr. Efoli recalled that during the administration of Governor T.A. Orji, the state government secured the community hall as a temporary site for the library’s take-off. The agreement included the state’s responsibility to pay rent until a permanent structure was built by the National Library of Nigeria and to allocate land for such a facility.

While the initial rent of ₦6 million covered five years, and a parcel of land was shown to the agency, Mr. Efoli lamented that no official land documents were handed over, and the site can no longer be traced.

“The government has since defaulted on the agreement, and the rent has now accumulated for over 10 years. We are calling on the state to step in and resolve this issue so that Abians can continue to benefit from our services,” he said.

The National Library offers a range of critical services, including certification of documents for legal use, issuance of ISBNs and ISSNs, support for publishers and researchers, and other information-related services.

in a separate interview, the Chairman of Ohokobe Mbaocha Ndume Ibeku, Comrade Nduka Awomukwu, emphasized that the community’s action was not targeted at the National Library, but at compelling the state government to honour the lease agreement.

“We don’t have any issue with the National Library. Our hall was leased based on clear terms, and the government has failed to renew the rent as agreed. Once they meet the conditions, we will reopen the facility,” he assured.

With the impasse threatening the continued operation of the only National Library branch in Abia State, stakeholders are urging the state government to act swiftly and preserve access to the library’s vital resources.