By Muhammad Mustapha
Dr Abdurrahman Jibril, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Library and Information Science at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has been appointed Head of the Department, bringing to the position years of academic, administrative, and professional experience.
Dr Jibril joined the University in February 2013 and has since contributed to teaching, research, postgraduate supervision, academic administration, and community service. He obtained his PhD in Library and Information Science from ABU in 2021, having earlier earned his Master’s degree in 2016 and Bachelor’s degree in 2010 from the same institution.
His areas of specialization include digital librarianship, information literacy, information ethics, knowledge management, and emerging technologies. His professional interests focus on digital innovation in library and information services, the responsible use of artificial intelligence, and capacity development in higher education.
Over the years, Dr Jibril has served in several academic and administrative positions within the department, faculty and the university. These include Long Vocation Term (LVT) Coordinator, Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Coordinator, Assistant Postgraduate Coordinator, and Postgraduate Coordinator all at the department.
He also served as Secretary of the Faculty of Education’s Affiliation Committee, a member of the University Senate, and a member of various committees at departmental and faculty levels.
Beyond ABU, Dr Jibril has contributed to academic quality assurance through his service as an External Examiner to the Department of Library and Information Science at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, among other professional and academic engagements.
His appointment as Head of Department places him at the forefront of departmental leadership, with responsibilities spanning academic coordination, staff and student development, research advancement, and the continued development of Library and Information Science education at Ahmadu Bello University.