Life has a remarkable way of redirecting purpose. For this accomplished librarian and information professional, the childhood dream was to wear a military uniform. Today, instead of commanding troops, he commands knowledge systems, transforming libraries into digital learning hubs that have impacted students, researchers and professionals across Nigeria, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1Growing up in a family where literature, learning and intellectual curiosity were daily traditions, reading was never a pastime; it was a way of life. Although his parents unknowingly laid the foundation for a distinguished career in librarianship, his ambition was firmly set on joining the military.
Following his secondary education, he trained in publishing and printing, acquiring practical skills that would prove invaluable later. When he applied to study Sociology or Geography at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, he narrowly missed the admission requirements. On the advice of academic counsellors, he switched to Library, Archival and Information Studies, a decision that became the turning point of his professional journey.
“I had no idea I was walking into my life’s calling,” he recalls. “Looking back today, I have absolutely no regrets.”
From the outset, he distinguished himself as more than an ordinary library science student. His practical experience in printing and publishing made him the first point of contact for classmates and lecturers seeking assistance with conference materials, booklets, academic publications and print production. Even before graduation, he had begun demonstrating the innovative mindset that would define his career.
Òkè’s professional journey began at the Dominican Institute, now Dominican University, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, where he immediately identified opportunities to modernise library operations. At a time when locating library resources relied entirely on manual systems, he designed an internal Library Management System using Microsoft Access, enabling users to search for available materials electronically—an innovation that significantly improved access to information.
His reputation for innovation soon earned him a new opportunity at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria, where he led the cataloguing and classification of the institution’s library resources. Beyond that assignment, he established the seminary’s e-learning centre, creating a digital platform that became the institution’s hub for information literacy and technology-driven learning.
His career continued to gain momentum when he joined the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where he was entrusted with establishing the organisation’s Library and Research Centre from the ground up. Working independently, he developed the facility into a modern knowledge centre equipped with both print and digital resources, supported by an integrated library management system.
Driven by a passion for research and academia, he later transitioned to the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria, where he served as Librarian and Manager of the e-learning centre. There, he led the renovation of the centre, supervised the acquisition of specialised research databases and electronic resources, and introduced structured training programmes that strengthened postgraduate research capacity through digital and information literacy.
His growing reputation on the international stage soon attracted global attention. Through LinkedIn, he received an invitation to join a Skyline University College, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, as Librarian for e-Learning, Instruction, Information Literacy, Research and Training. During his four-year tenure, he developed the institution’s library induction programme and designed a comprehensive Digital and Information Literacy course, serving as its lead instructor while helping students navigate an increasingly digital academic environment.
His international journey eventually took him to the United Kingdom, where he joined Liverpool John Moores University as an Academic Engagement Librarian supporting the School of Justice Studies and Law. There, he introduced the Lexis Certification Training Series to strengthen legal research competencies and co-developed the University’s User Experience System, further demonstrating his commitment to improving how students engage with information and learning resources.
His story illustrates how careers are often shaped by opportunities that initially appear accidental. What began as a detour from a military ambition has evolved into a career dedicated to building knowledge infrastructure, advancing digital learning and empowering learners across continents.
For him, however, the journey is far from over.
Committed to lifelong learning, research and professional development, he continues to pursue new opportunities to redefine the role of libraries in a rapidly changing world—proving that modern librarians are not merely custodians of books, but architects of knowledge, innovation and lifelong learning.
