Overcoming the difficulties of accessing the ETF library intervention fund in Nigeria : The NINLAN Library experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the problems which the library management at the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) encounter in accessing and utilizing library intervention money from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses problems experienced by NINLAN Library, including: inadequate period specified for retirement of utilized funds, delay in securing approval for new projects, effort of some members of committees to influence award of contracts, and absence of librarians in most ETF project committees. Findings – The management of NINLAN Library, educational institutions in Nigeria and ETF, should be proactive in planning for development programmes, and articulating projects to be funded by the ETF. There should be clear guidelines for accessing, utilizing and retiring the funds approved for different projects. Originality/value – The paper offers suggestions to alleviate the problems. These include increasing in the allocation of library intervention funds, extending the period for utilization and retirement of project funds, and inclusion of librarians in various committees for library intervention projects.