PROFESSOR BOMA BEATRICE OBI

Professor Boma Beatrice Obi is the Head of the Department of Library and Information Science at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt. She earned a BA (Hons.) degree in Literature in English from the University of Port Harcourt. Following her National Youth Service at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Eleme, where she served in the Human Resources Unit, she advanced her professional training by enrolling at the University of Ibadan, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Her strong academic drive led her to pursue a doctoral degree in the same field at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. Alongside her academic qualifications, she has obtained several professional certifications in key areas relevant to leadership and productivity, such as computer literacy, library automation and digitization, library security, and gender studies, among others. She is also a Chartered Librarian.

Professor Obi is a well-recognized figure within the library and information science profession and is affiliated with numerous academic and professional organizations. Her leadership experience is extensive, having served in various capacities, including council membership in the Nigerian Library Association, active participation in the Association of University Librarians in Nigerian Universities, the National Association of Library and Information Science Educators, and holding key executive roles in associations dedicated to women in librarianship and education. In recognition of her contributions, she has received several awards and honors over the years, although she is known to be modest about such accolades. Some of these include awards for academic excellence, student engagement, community service, and peace advocacy, conferred by institutions, student bodies, religious organizations, and international agencies.

Beyond the university environment, Professor Obi has extended her expertise as an external assessor and examiner to several institutions including the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University, Federal University Otuoke, Imo State University, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. She has made significant editorial contributions, serving as Editor-in-Chief of Information Managers, the journal of the Nigerian Library Association, Rivers State Chapter, and as editor for several other scholarly journals. Her public service includes notable roles such as membership in the Rivers State Transition Committee, where she chaired the Education Subcommittee, and her appointment as Senior Special Assistant to the former Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Sir Barrister Celestine Omehia, in 2007.

Professor Obi holds is the first Professor and the first Inaugural Lecturer in the Department of Library and Information Science at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. She is also the second individual to attain professorship in the discipline across Rivers and Bayelsa States. A prolific scholar, she has published widely in both national and international journals, as well as in textbooks, book chapters, conference proceedings, indexes, and bibliographies. Her scholarly works are accessible through academic platforms such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and Academia.edu.