Library and information science educators from across Nigeria have gathered at Kaduna State University (KASU) for a four day national conference. The event is organised by the National Association of Library and Information Science Educators (NALISE) together with KASU's Department of Library and Information Science.
The 2026 conference carries the theme "Preparing the Next Generation of Information Professionals for Inclusivity, Diversity, and Sustainable Development." It has drawn academics, researchers, educators, information professionals and other stakeholders in the field.
Day one: a workshop on AI in research
The opening day was a hands on training session on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research, led by Dr. Adebayo Murtala Adegbore.
His main message was that AI can make research easier, faster and more accessible, but it should never replace the researcher's own thinking. A final academic submission, he said, should show the researcher's understanding, analysis, evidence based choices and academic voice. Anyone using AI should review, edit and correct what it produces before it goes into their work.
Where AI can help
Dr. Adegbore pointed to several sensible uses for students and researchers:
Generating ideas for research topics
Evaluating and developing those ideas
Explaining difficult concepts in simpler language
Creating draft outlines that the researcher then reviews and revises
Where it can go wrong
He was equally direct about the risks. If AI generated information is not checked carefully, it can lead to inaccurate facts, poor conclusions or a project that drifts away from its real focus. AI tools can also be misleading, so he urged participants to use critical judgment every time.
His practical advice came down to a few habits. Read your course or institutional policy on AI before you use it. Understand what the assignment is asking for. Find out what kinds of AI help are actually allowed. In every case, stay actively involved in the work so that the technology supports your reasoning, creativity and academic integrity instead of standing in for them.
What the rest of the conference is for
The conference continues with discussions and activities aimed at strengthening the skills of information professionals. The goal is to prepare them to serve a society that is becoming more diverse, more inclusive and more driven by technology.
For students, the takeaway from day one applies well beyond library science. AI is now part of how research gets done, and the people training the next generation of information professionals are telling them to use it carefully, openly and with their own judgment switched on.
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