Librarian Spotlight Africa : Dr. Ayodele Alonge Recognized as Librarian of the Month of March 2025

Recently, LSA recognized Dr. Alonge as the Librarian of the Month for March 2025, as reported by Optimistic Scholar on March 24, 2025. Here is a quick overview of Dr. A.J. Alonge’s profile and his contributions to the progress of librarianship globally.

As a teenager, Ayodele Alonge first volunteered to organize books at his church. Few people could have predicted his future influence. He has now become one of Africa’s most influential voices in library science. Yet, decades later, his innovative works in digital transformation, publishing, archival management, and records management have earned him global recognition. His impact extends far beyond titles. Among his many accolades, he has been named Librarian of the Month by Librarian Spotlight Africa. This honor only begins to capture the depth of his contributions.

From Church Shelves to Global Stages

“I never planned to be a librarian,” Dr. Alonge admitted during his acceptance interview. His journey into librarianship began with passion and a commitment to service. While still in secondary school, he volunteered as a youth librarian at ECWA church in Ibadan. “When good books were scarce, I volunteered to create and manage a youth library,” he recalled. “I set up a space on the church’s ground floor. I gathered books and video resources. I built a collection for young readers like me. That’s what librarians do—we fill gaps.”

His Path Has Been Anything But Conventional

The Corporate Librarian:

Dr. Alonge’s career began in the early 2000s as a library intern at ResearchersWorld, Lagos. He earned a master’s degree in publishing and copyright studies. Later, he secured a prestigious role at KPMG Nigeria. There, he worked as a librarian and social media coordinator. However, his passion for research led him to pursue a PhD at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He was under the prestigious CARTA Fellowship. There, he explored how young Africans engage in discussions about HIV/AIDS on social media.

The Innovative Educator:

Driven by a deep passion for teaching, Dr. Alonge is committed to transforming knowledge into practical, impactful learning experiences. His dynamic methods are diverse. They range from hands-on workshops and role-playing exercises to interactive learning sessions. These methods have profoundly influenced both his students and professional peers.

Dr. Alonge describes education as a measured and systematic process. It guides the human mind and soul to the best information. This enables effective performance of essential tasks. It fosters lifelong skills, experience, and satisfaction.

From church shelves to global innovation, Dr. Alonge’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of librarianship.

Libraries as Innovation Hubs

Dr. Alonge challenges traditional perceptions of librarianship. “Librarians aren’t just bookkeepers—we’re the original data scientists,” he asserts. His work exemplifies this vision through impactful initiatives:

Optimistic Concept Services:

Founded on April 27, 2005, in Lagos while still a university student, Dr. Alonge established Optimistic Concept Services to provide expert library consultancy and information services. For nearly two decades, he has been actively engaged in library and information services, hands-on training, and publishing consultancy.

Optimistic Scholar:

An extension of his commitment to knowledge dissemination, Optimistic Scholar is an academic and professional development platform. It provides scholarship opportunities, career insights, and educational resources, supporting individuals in their academic and professional journeys. The website covers areas such as academic careers, fellowship programs, and grant opportunities. It equips users with the tools they need to succeed. Visit: www.optimisticscholar.com. Dr. Alonge embodies a fusion of information dissemination and entrepreneurship, proving that libraries are more than repositories—they are engines of innovation.

Dancing Against Stigma:

What began as a PhD research project has blossomed into a viral dance phenomenon. It harnesses the power of rhythm and storytelling. This educates youth on HIV prevention. Dr. Alonge’s initiative exemplifies how libraries and knowledge hubs can adopt unconventional methods. These methods foster social change. They also contribute to public health through effective health communication.

Africa’s Digital Library Revolution

In an acceptance interview conducted by Sylvester Ebhonu on Saturday, March 25, 2025, Dr. Alonge highlighted the critical challenges confronting African libraries in the digital age. He stated, “Our Internet is too expensive and unreliable.” He shared his experience of spending 200,000 naira on data during a recent visit to Nigeria. He emphasized the high cost as a major obstacle. The instability of internet access also hinders digital transformation.

The Need for 21st-Century Skills in Library Schools

Dr. Alonge stressed, “We need to teach 21st-century skills. Librarians must master AI and data analytics and data science—now.” He warned that without modern tech proficiency, librarians risk being left behind in an increasingly digital world.

The Visibility Crisis

“Blog! Tweet! Facebooking! Make TikToks! If we don’t tell our stories, who will?” Dr. A.J. Alonge urges librarians to embrace digital storytelling and content creation, ensuring that African library innovations gain global recognition. With bold ideas and tireless advocacy, Dr. Alonge is at the forefront of creating a smarter, more connected future for African libraries.

Learn more:

1. Dr. Ayodele Alonge: Leading the Digital Transformation of Libraries – Optimistic Scholar
2. HOME – Optimistic Scholar
3. Redefining African Librarianship with Bibliotherapy and Cinema-Therapy – Optimistic Scholar