THE EFFECTS OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA AND THE ROLE OF SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA IN CURBING IT

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of insecurity in Nigeria, and the role of some selected university libraries in South-East, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and used questionnaires as its primary data collecting instrument. 194 professional and paraprofessional librarians from the libraries of University of Nigeria Nsukka Library, Micheal Okpara University library Umudike and Nnamdi Azikiwe University library Awka made up the study's population. Only 169 of the 194 questionnaires that were issued were actually collected. Using descriptive statistics, the mean and percentage of the data were calculated. A mean score of 2.5 or above and a percentage score of 50% were considered for decision making. The findings revealed that that the effects of insecurity in South-East, Nigeria is as follows: Wanton murder of innocent people, the collapse of the economy, the overspending of the limited financial resources on fighting insecurity at the expense of welfare programs for the populace, the relocation and outflow of foreign investments, and damaged reputation of the nation among other countries respectively. The study further shows that the role of the libraries in curbing insecurity in South-East Nigeria as follows: cooperation with pertinent stakeholders, encouragement of lifetime learning, encouraging moral literacy and encouraging moral education. The study recommends that the Nigeria Government should put up various modalities to tackle insecurity in the country by understanding the root causes of insecurity, enhancing security infrastructure, investing in community initiatives, strengthening the role of the police and security forces. and improving education and job opportunities and by actively supporting, directing, and promoting ideas and deeds that enhance the general security of the nation, libraries and librarians should take the lead in national security talks.