APPLICATION OF GAMIFICATION STRATEGIES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN ENHANCING INFORMATION LITERACY AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

University libraries in Nigeria have both opportunities and challenges in the current academic
climate. A revolutionary solution to these problems is provided by gamification, which is the
deliberate use of game-design components like points, badges, and leaderboards to non-gaming
environments. There is still a big gap in pupils' knowledge of information literacy, which is defined
as the capacity to recognise, locate, assess, and use information effectively. Due to enduring
information literacy gaps, a lack of understanding of the resources that are accessible, and
conventional, frequently passive library practices, student engagement with libraries is still low
despite the abundance of digital and print resources. This study looks at how gamification might
improve information literacy, increase student engagement, and develop research skills in
Nigerian university libraries. The paper illustrates how game mechanisms like points, badges,
leader boards, quests, and challenges can motivate library use, promote skill acquisition, and
support collaborative learning by drawing on empirical research from Nigeria, international best
practices, and pedagogical theory. A staged, context-sensitive approach for the implementation of
gamified library services is suggested by the analysis, which also tackles issues of infrastructure,
human capacity, and inclusivity specific to the Nigerian environment. The paper concluded that
gamification has the ability to promote lifelong learning, research productivity, and an academic
engagement culture throughout Nigerian universities by redefining the library as an interactive,
student-centred venue