University Librarian

Prof. Zakari Mohammed

Prof Zakari Mohammed Profile
    Professor of Library and Information Science in the Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Currently, he is the University Librarian of the University. He is from Abaji City in the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital territory (F.C.T.).
            He joined the services of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as a Graduate Assistant in 1981 and rose to the rank of Professor of Library and Information Science in 1998. He was a primary school teacher in the Abuja (now Suleja) Local Education Authority (LEA) where he taught in Anguwan Gaya Primary School, Abuja (now Suleja) between 1974 and 1975. He served his National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C.) Scheme in Oyo State where he taught in Prospect High School, Abanla, and Ibadan between 1980 and 1981.
            He possesses the following academic certificates: Teacher Grade II (1974), Diploma in Library Science (1977), Bachelor of Library Science (1980), Graduate Certificate in Education (1980), Master of Library Science (1983), Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science (1991) and Master of Business Administration (1998). He have to his credit 126 academic publications made up of 37 referred journal articles, 13 conference proceedings, 13 contributions to books and 64 papers presented at national and international conferences, seminars and workshops at national and international levels. Besides, He have undertaken 13 independent researches and attended 76 national and international conferences, seminars and workshops.  After his attainment of the position of Professor of Library and Information Science, He have so far to his credit 68  academic papers made up of 15  referred journal articles, 6  conference proceedings, 10 contributions to books and 37 papers presented at national and international conferences, seminars and workshops.
           
Although he is the University Librarian, still teach in his Department 2 courses at the undergraduate level, 8 courses at the postgraduate levels (PGDIM, Masters and PhD) and supervise postgraduate students at all levels. He have successfully supervised and graduated 7 PhD candidates, 38 Masters Students and over 100 undergraduate students. In fact, one of his PhD graduate is already a Professor, 2 of them awaiting their external assessment for the post of Professor. Also 5 of his Postgraduate graduates are either holding or have held the post of University Librarian in Federal and State Universities.  Besides, He is an editor to 7 professional journals.
He is an external examiner/assessor to Bayero University, Kano, University of Maiduguri, University of Ibadan, Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Adamawa State University, Mubi. Federal University of Technology, Minna. Also, He was a member of the NCCE, NBTE and NUC Accreditation/Resource Verification Teams to several tertiary educational institutions in the country.
In the same vein, He is a Consultant to some World Bank; UNESCO; UNICEF; NGO; FMOE; UBE; ETF; EfL.Net; FMWR, Agency for Literacy and Mass Education; Northern Education Research Project (NERP); Nigeria Arabic Manuscript Project (NARP); CBN; Nigerian Army Education Corps, and NIPOST-sponsored projects especially on education and training, Library and Information Systems and services, ICT application to Library and Information Systems and Services, Database Management, Water Supply, HIV/AIDS and Self-help projects.
In the University, He has served in several Departmental, Faculty and University committees and also held some administrative positions such as Head of Department (1996-2000), Departmental Co-coordinator (2000-2002), Chairman, Information Science and Development, IDR, ABU (2002-2006), Deputy Dean, Postgraduate School (2004-2006), Head, Curriculum Unit, ABU Carnegie Corporations Project (2004-2007), Director, Academic Planning and Monitoring (2006-2007) and currently, the University Librarian (2007-to-date). Some of his specific administrative and academic initiatives and contributions to Ahmadu Bello University include: Initiation of Departmental Journal Publication (now on-line), Review of his Departments Curriculum to be ICT compliant in line with the 21st century international standards, establishment of academic linkages between the department and overseas Universities, introduction of areas of specialization in his department, editing and publishing of books on Curriculum under ABU Carnegie Corporation Project, restructuring of the Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, re-organization of the structure of the University Libraries, establishment of active Library web page and wireless hotspot(WiFi), training of 300 library staff on computer application packages, establishment of photocopying centre, training of 500 academic and postgraduate students on on-line database use, establishment of joint Seminar Committee for the Library Complex and the Department of Library and Information Science, publication of Library Handbook, development and publication of Library Policy, development and publication of Library Strategic Plan and development and installation of Institutional Digital Repository and also floated a journal for the Library Complex.
Similarly at the professional level, He have held such administrative posts such as: Head, NUC Accreditation Team to South West Universities (2008), President, Institute of Mass Communication and Information Management (IMIM), (2005-to-date), President, National Association of Library and Information Science Educators (NALISE), (1996-1999), Vice-President, Nigeria Library Association (NLA), (1998-2000), Vice-President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), (2003-2010), Zonal Chairman, NIM North West Zone (2003-2007), Chairman, NIM, Zaria Branch (2004-2005), Chairman, NLA Kaduna State Chapter, (1985/87 and 1996-2000), Chairman, NIM Council Committee on Information Management and Publication (2004-2010) etc. Besides, He is a Fellow of the NLA (FNLA), IMIM (FIMIM), NIM (FNIM), FCAI and FNANE. He is a recipient of many National and International prizes and awards such as by the NIM, NLA, IBC, ABI, GAMA 2008, MEDIA 2009 and UCC.He have travelled far and wide in some African countries and Europe as scholar, researcher, delegate and visitor.

 

 

E-mail: zakmoh2000@yahoo.com

Curriculum Vitae