Abstract
Corruption remains a pervasive challenge across higher education and its knowledge hubs
university libraries. This study investigates contributory factors influencing corruption in
university libraries in Southern Nigeria, focusing on political leadership, library management
practices, and systemic structures. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire
administered to 360 librarians who attended the 2024 Nigerian Library Association conference
(University of Port Harcourt); respondents represented 40 academic libraries from federal, and
state universities across Southern Nigeria (South-South, South-East and South-West geopolitical
zones) anonymous for confidentiality. Reliability testing returned Cronbach's α = 0.82. Findings
show that governmental interference, weak institutional checks, conflicting appropriations, and
poor leadership significantly exacerbate corruption. Within library management, embezzlement,
weak financial controls, and fund mismanagement were identified as key enablers. Systemic
factors greed, poor living standards and weak enforcement further entrench corrupt behaviour.
Corruption was reported to negatively affect philanthropic donations, subscription and
acquisition of electronic resources, infrastructure development, acquisition quality, and
recruitment of qualified staff (grand mean = 3.2). The study concludes that unchecked corruption
undermines knowledge dissemination, academic integrity and university development.
Recommended responses include stricter financial auditing, internal controls, staff welfare
improvements, legislative frameworks addressing library crime, and adoption of technological
monitoring to mitigate corrupt practice and safeguard academic libraries.
Keywords: Corruption; University Libraries; Nigeria; Library Management
Publication Date: 2025-11-08