Libraries, Digital Knowledge, and Ethical Stewardship: Preserving and Sharing Indigenous Knowledge in South-West Nigeria

This study investigates the role of public university libraries in South-West Nigeria in the ethical stewardship of indigenous knowledge (IK) within the digital landscape. Utilizing a descriptive survey design, data was collected from 140 librarians and staff across six public university libraries. Findings reveal that while libraries actively preserve physical IK and digitize oral histories, they face significant challenges, including inadequate funding, insufficient technical skills, and issues with intellectual property rights. A notable gap exists between general intellectual property awareness and specific ethical guidelines for IK, such as Free, Prior, and Informed Consent. Regression analysis indicates that adequate funding and staff training are significant predictors of effective ethical stewardship, collectively explaining 55% of the variance. The study concludes that strategic investment in these areas is crucial for enhancing ethical digital preservation, fostering community collaboration, and safeguarding indigenous knowledge for future generations.