The Federal Government has announced plan to provide free internet access for library users in the country.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the “7th Edition of the Weekend Ministerial Press Briefing” said the National Library of Nigeria (NLN) had been fulfilling its mandate by expanding its branches across the country as well as rehabilitating the existing ones.

According to him, contracts for the renovation of the Lagos, Benue, Nasarawa, Imo, Adamawa and Plateau branches have been awarded, while others would come on stream in 2020.

” It must be noted that we are in a digital world. We are therefore in the process of providing free internet access for our library users, beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Enugu branches.

” New branches are to be established in Delta, Anambra, Ekiti, Kebbi, Kogi and Jigawa states. We have completed permanent branch buildings in Gombe and Katsina states.”

Adamu added that renovation of libraries would go beyond painting walls and replacing leaking roofs, but provide reading spaces for children to promote a sound reading culture among school pupils.