Wanjohn D-Mecho

Ọ̀SUN STATE LIBRARY IN A STATE OF NEGLECT: A THREAT TO OUR EDUCATIONAL FUTURE A library should be a sanctuary of knowledge, a centre for research, and a place where young people nurture their dreams. Sadly, the deplorable state of the Ọ̀sun State Library raises serious concerns about the future of education, literacy, and intellectual development in our dear State. The condition of a public library goes beyond the appearance of its buildings. It affects the availability of learning resources, the comfort and safety of readers, and the ability of students, researchers, and other knowledge seekers to access quality information. When a library is poorly maintained, it risks becoming less useful to the very people it was established to serve. In the short term, a deteriorating library environment can discourage students from reading, limit access to research materials, reduce learning opportunities for pupils who cannot afford private resources, and make academic preparation more difficult. It also deprives job seekers, researchers, and lifelong learners of a conducive space to acquire knowledge and develop their skills. In the long term, continued neglect could contribute to declining reading habits, widen educational inequality, weaken research and innovation, and undermine the development of a knowledgeable, skilled, and competitive workforce. If urgent action is not taken, the state risks losing not just a public facility, but an important institution for preserving knowledge and building future generations. We hereby call on the @Osun_State_Gov, H.E. @AAdeleke_01, the relevant ministries and agencies responsible for education and library services, to urgently assess the condition of the Ọ̀sun State Library and take decisive steps towards its rehabilitation. Immediate measures should include proper sanitation, essential repairs, restoration of a conducive reading environment, and the provision of basic learning materials. In the long term, the government should prioritise comprehensive renovation, modern library facilities, digital learning resources, adequate staffing, and a sustainable maintenance plan with appropriate budgetary provisions. Education does not end in the classroom. A functional public library is an investment in literacy, opportunity, innovation, and the future of our children. The Ọ̀sun State Library deserves more than occasional attention; it deserves a clear plan, adequate funding, and consistent action. The question is: what future are we building if the institutions meant to nurture knowledge are allowed to deteriorate? Signed: Management Inside Òsogbo. 28th October, 2026 #InsideOsogbo