Mission Report (4-16 November 2002) with the purpose of Launching the Feasibility Study for the Development of a Virtual Library for Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning in Nigeria

Within the framework of the Special Task Force for Nigeria, the Director-General of UNESCO and the President of the Republic of Nigeria in the first half of 2002 approved this Japan FIT extrabudgetary project. The purpose of the Feasibility study is to assess what elements are needed and what steps will have to be deployed in order to develop a Virtual Library for Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning in Nigeria through funds provided by the Government and other donors. It shall serve as an action-oriented policy and project development tool for the implementation of such a project in Nigeria. To date, several intersectoral (CI, ED, Field Office and Central Services) meetings have been held at HQ to lay the groundwork for the Study. Equally, several meetings have taken place between differing HQ staff and Nigerian officials relative to this project. At a meeting convened by DIR/BSP on 11 September 2002, it was decided that a UNESCO team would formally launch the FS. Dates for this mission were set for early November. Also, it was decided that a member from BSP, CI and ED would form the UNECO team and liase with UNESCO-Abuja and the Nigerian NatCom for UNESCO. Unfortunately, ED consultant was unavailable for the present mission. The mission included visits to Abuja, Zaria, Kaduna and Lagos. Objectives for the mission: to formally launch the Nigerian Virtual Library Feasibility Study. to hold information meetings with appropriate national authorities. to reach decisions as to the delivery schedule for the project and it's end-date (with a view to establishing phases of implementation of the Study’s recommendations). recruitment/selection of the NPO (c.f. draft TORs below) agreement on terms of reference for the various consultants necessary with possible initial identification of certain appropriate persons.