Application of Blockchain Technology in Law Library Operations in Selected Academic Law Libraries in North-Central Nigeria: Opportunities, Challenges and Adoption Readiness

This study investigated the application of blockchain technology in law library operations in selected academic law libraries in North-Central Nigeria with emphasis on opportunities, challenges, and adoption readiness. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design using a mixed-methods approach. The population of the study comprised 119 professional and paraprofessional library staff from selected academic law libraries, while 12 library administrators and ICT personnel participated in interview sessions. A total of 87 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed, representing a response rate of 73.1%.
Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance using SPSS version 27.
The findings revealed that blockchain technology can be applied in major areas of law library operations including cataloguing, circulation services, digital archiving, copyright management, and authentication of legal documents. The study further showed that blockchain technology enhances information security, digital preservation, transparency, and operational efficiency in library services. However, major challenges affecting adoption include inadequate ICT infrastructure, poor funding, lack of technical expertise, and erratic power supply. Regression analysis revealed that ICT infrastructure significantly influenced blockchain technology adoption readiness (β = .642, p < .001), while librarians’ technological competence (β = .587, p < .001) and institutional support (β = .611, p < .001) significantly predicted blockchain technology adoption in academic law libraries. The study concluded that blockchain technology possesses significant potential for improving security, transparency, digital preservation, and operational efficiency in academic law libraries. The study recommended improved ICT infrastructure, increased funding, institutional support, and continuous staff training to facilitate effective adoption and implementation of blockchain technology in law library operations.

Blockchain technology, law library operations, academic law libraries, adoption readiness, ICT infrastructure, digital preservation, Nigeria.

1. Abid, H. (2021). Uses of blockchain technologies in library services. Library Hi Tech News, 38(8), 9–11. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-08-2021-0056 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Fagbemi, S. A. (2016). The importance of information and communication technology as mechanism for legal education, practice and dispute resolution in Nigeria. Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Fasola, O. S., Oyadeyi, A. E., & Iyoro, A. O. (2024). Awareness, acceptance and readiness to use blockchain technology for library services in academic libraries in Nigeria. Communicate: Journal of Library and Information Science, 26(1), 270–288. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Haque, A. B., & Rahman, M. (2020). Blockchain technology: Methodology, application and security issues. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2012.13366 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Islam, I., Munim, K. M., Oishwee, S. J., Islam, A. K. M. N., & Islam, M. N. (2020). A critical review of concepts, benefits, and pitfalls of blockchain technology using concept map. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2004.08671 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Krubu, D. E., & Osawaru, K. E. (2011). The impact of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nigerian university libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice, 583, 1–8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Makinde, O., Olatunji, T., Igbinlola, A., & Gyang, S. (2024). Nexus between information technology and telecommunications: Academic libraries’ direction. Education and Technology in Information Science, 2(1), 1–15. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Onwubiko, E. C. (2025). Blockchain technology as a tool for effective library services in a digital era: Conceptual analysis. International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, 11(1), 18–27. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Sunday, K., Dada, K. S. J., & Mohammed, H. T. (2023). Connecting the dots through the adoption of blockchain technologies in library services. In Blockchain technologies and library transformation (pp. 1–18). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-6613-2.ch001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Tornatzky, L. G., & Fleischer, M. (1990). The processes of technological innovation. Lexington Books. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Yaga, D., Mell, P., Roby, N., & Scarfone, K. (2019). Blockchain technology overview (NIST Internal Report 8202). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Yaga, D., Mell, P., Roby, N., & Scarfone, K. (2019). Blockchain technology overview (NIST Internal Report 8202). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8202 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Designing a Blockchain-Based Model for Zakat Management in Malaysia
• Next-Generation Inventory Management: Blockchain Solutions for Industry 4.0 Supply Chains
• A Platform to Make Voting System Transparent Using Blockchain Technology