With Season 2025 now behind us and preparations underway for the next phase beginning in March 2026, our usual strategic break has offered us an opportunity to examine, and document what the past year represented for Librarian Spotlight Africa (LSA).
Season 2025 was not simply a continuation of ‘Season 2024’. It became a year of consolidation, and the programme moved from an emerging idea into a recognised professional space for documenting impact, sharing practice, and affirming the relevance of librarianship across different African contexts. For the eleven editions held between February and December 2025, LSA highlighted individuals whose work reflects the evolving responsibilities of information professionals. We showcased librarians who strengthened library leadership, institutional development, and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of positive professional attitudes, inclusive practices, effective communication, and strong digital competencies as essential skills for contemporary librarianship.
A major theme of the season was digital transformation and scholarly communication, with honourees illustrating how librarians are advancing research visibility, open knowledge dissemination, research integrity, and evolving digital ecosystems
Honourees Who Defined Season 2025
LSA has celebrated 11 honorees whose stories, achievements, and insights have reshaped the narrative of librarianship in Africa. Let us now reflect on the journey so far:
FEBRUARY 2025: Melba Sitwala – Namibia, (Strengthening Library Leadership)
Celebrated for her inspiring leadership and commitment to institutional growth and mentorship within the LIS community, Melba’s edition highlighted the importance of a strong foundation for library systems and professional development, encouraging librarians to continually strengthen their practices in service of teaching and research. She emphasized the importance of a positive attitude, inclusive behaviour, professional branding, clear communication, and strong digital competencies as essential skills for modern librarians. Click to watch the complete video
MARCH 2025: Dr. Ayodele J. Alonge – Nigeria, (Advancing Digital Transformation and Scholarly Communication)
Dr. Alonge’s journey, from community library beginnings to global influence in digital transformation and records management, emphasised how librarianship intersects with innovation, tech adoption, and lifelong service. His session challenged traditional perceptions, urging librarians to embrace modern skills and digital storytelling to make African library innovations globally visible. Dr. Alonge’s emphasized research integrity, open knowledge dissemination, and the need for librarians to support evolving scholarly and Digital ecosystems. Click to watch the complete video
APRIL 2025: David K. Koech – Kenya, (Promoting Information Access and Community Services)
David highlighted the community-centred dimensions of librarianship — that libraries are not merely book repositories but vital spaces for connection, learning, and digital inclusion. His insights underscored the need for passion-driven service, community engagement, and collaborative networks that strengthen access to information across diverse populations. His work in library services and community-focused information delivery demonstrated how libraries support learning beyond institutional walls. Click to watch the complete video
MAY 2025: Mrs. Martina O. Egwuibe – Nigeria, (Empowering Users through Information Literacy)
Martina a public librarian, champions readership campaigns, digital literacy programs, and impactful community engagement initiatives. In her edition, she demonstrated how user education and information literacy initiatives help bridge gaps between learners and resources in communities. Her career reflects a deep commitment to literacy advancement, institutional growth, and community empowerment through libraries. Click to watch the complete video
JUNE 2025: Dr. Nancy Kwangwa – Zimbabwe (Driving Digital Transformation and Inclusion)
Dr Kwangwa began her career at the Women’s Research Centre and Network, where she supported students and policymakers on issues related to gender and development. Her leadership in AI, digital equity initiatives and technology-driven library services showcased the role of libraries in inclusive knowledge access. Her edition inspired viewers to think beyond traditional functions and toward sustainable technological inclusion in LIS practice. Click to watch the complete video
JULY 2025: Damilare Oyedele – Nigeria, (Advocating Library Development and Access to Information)
Damilare’s work with Library and You and Library Aid Africa brought a fresh perspective on citizen engagement and digital innovation in library development. His focus on community partnerships and information mobilization guided conversations about how libraries can remain vital in the lives of everyday learners and community members. His session emphasized functional libraries as foundations for access to information, capacity building, and collaborative growth across African library systems. Click to watch the complete video
AUGUST 2025: Maggie Kambai – Zambia, (Expanding Health Information Access and Evidence Use)
Maggie’s story of evolving from medical librarianship and evidence-based information services to serving as executive assistant reminded viewers of the critical role that LIS professionals play in supporting healthcare knowledge, research evaluation, and strategic decision-making — even beyond traditional library spaces. Maggie’s philosophy calls on librarians to evolve into innovators, educators, and advocates, ensuring libraries remain vital centers for transformation. Click to watch the complete video
SEPTEMBER 2025: Prof. Adeyinka Tella – Nigeria, (Advancing LIS Research and Academic Excellence)
An academic and prolific researcher, Prof. Tella’s session emphasised the value of scholarship, mentorship, and academic excellence within the LIS profession. His contributions encouraged librarians to prioritise research, evidence leadership, and scholarly impact in their work. Prof. Tella is rated a C2 researcher by South African National Research Foundation. Click to watch the complete video
OCTOBER 2025: Dr. Monica M. Danquah – Ghana, (Championing Open Science and Capacity Development)
Dr. Danquah a distinguished scholar and advocate for scholarly communication and digital literacy in Africa serves as Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Editor-in-Chief of the Ghana Library Journal, Chair of IFLA Sub-Saharan Africa, and Vice Chair of AfLIA’s Library Education & Training Section. Her edition explored digital libraries, research data management, and advocacy around open science and capacity building. Her leadership reflected the evolving role of librarians in facilitating digital knowledge ecosystems and fostering research-informed practice. Click to watch the complete video
NOVEMBER 2025: Nazir Muhammad – Nigeria, (Strengthening Library Innovation and Professional Collaboration)
Nazir’s work in academic library leadership and professional collaboration highlighted how strategic partnerships, innovation, and community engagement can strengthen institutional libraries and empower professional communities to work collectively toward shared goals. He is a dedicated library leader and advocate driving access to knowledge in northern Nigeria through digital tools, partnerships, and community outreach. Click to watch the complete video
DECEMBER 2025: Akogun Lanre Adesuyi – Nigeria, (Expanding Knowledge Infrastructure and Library Support)
The season concluded with a celebration of a visionary entrepreneur, publisher, and librarian whose contributions extend beyond librarianship into broader knowledge infrastructure and education. Akogun Lanre Adesuyi’s edition enlightened viewers about his work in publishing, library solutions, and expanding book access, which demonstrated the power of cross-sector support for libraries and reading cultures nationwide. Click to watch the complete video
Our Reflections and Prospects
Several patterns became clearer during this Season 2025. Professional recognition itself has value. The programme revealed how documenting individual contributions fosters reflection within the profession and provides reference points for emerging practitioners.
The research study our team presented at the 2025 NLA Conference, which explored the programme’s influence on professional advocacy and public perception of librarianship, further affirmed the value of intentional storytelling as part of broader LIS advocacy efforts. These insights will help shape Season 2026 and beyond.
Also, sustaining a volunteer-driven continental initiative presents structural challenges. Production demands, resource limitations, and audience reach remain ongoing considerations. Yet the continuity of the programme also revealed a strong underlying commitment among contributors and viewers. Engagement metrics from YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn show promising interest, but the true impact is best measured in the testimonials, professional inspiration, and networks formed through these conversations. Many viewers have noted how sessions encouraged new approaches to library work, research support, and community outreach.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Librarianship!
As LSA moves forward, plans include expanding representation and partnerships with regional and international LIS organisations, and strengthening impact assessment strategies. Season 2026 will adopt a quarterly format to allow for deeper engagement, enhanced storytelling, and stronger audience reach.
Your feedback is very important in helping us grow and achieve our mission of redefining librarianship across Africa. Please take a moment to complete our Feedback / Impact Survey.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our honorees, viewers, and team members for making Season Two (2025) a success. Your support helped us bring this vision to life. As we prepare for Season Three (2026), which commences in March, do you know an outstanding librarian or changemaker who embodies innovation, leadership, and dedication to advancing libraries in Africa? Nominate them here for the upcoming season! Share our videos, and support our initiatives. If you’d like to volunteer and contribute your skills to this growing initiative, we’d love to have you on board. Volunteer here!
Librarian Spotlight Africa remains committed to shaping a future where the impact of African librarians are recognised, amplified, and empowered to further lead transformations in knowledge access and societal development.
Explore More: Access the full playlist of Seasons 2024 and 2025 episodes
(By Sylvester Ebhonu, Ramatu Haliru, Folasade Adepoju, Victoria Chukwuedozie and Mulugeta Woldetsadik)
