As unreliable internet connectivity continues to limit access to academic resources at universities across Nigeria, the American University of Nigeria (AUN) is advancing a practical, offline solution that puts knowledge directly in the hands of learners.
On January 21, 2026, AUN President Dr. DeWayne Frazier officially handed over a batch of newly branded flash drives to the Interim University Librarian, Mr. Benson Ali, during a brief ceremony in his office. The drives are part of the upgraded Library-On-A-Flash (LOAF) initiative, a portable digital library developed by AUN’s Department of Digital Services of the Library in collaboration with the Office of Technology.
Conceived in alignment with AUN’s mission as a Development University, LOAF provides offline access to high-quality academic resources for institutions with limited or unreliable internet connectivity. This major upgrade significantly expands the library’s scope and organization, enhancing usability.
The new LOAF contains about 1,000 free e-books, spanning 27 subject areas, including a dedicated collection for secondary school students. It also features curated links to open-access scholarly journals and educational platforms, as well as access to local and international news resources. While most materials are available offline, selected few open-access links require an internet connection.
Beyond higher education, the initiative supports basic education and community learning. The drives include educational workbooks and radio materials from AUN’s Technology-Enhanced Learning for All (TELA) initiative, alongside storybooks from the Students Empowered Through Language, Literacy, and Arithmetic (STELLAR) project, which promote literacy among primary school pupils.
Speaking during the handover, Dr. Frazier emphasized the university’s commitment to expanding access to knowledge and reducing the cost of learning through innovation. He noted that the initiative reflects AUN’s broader dedication to public service and educational equity. “Even though we are a private university, we are a non-profit institution; we serve the public. Supporting public universities with our Library on a Flash is one way of building partnerships and advancing access to education,” he said.
Accepting the flash drives, Mr. Ali expressed appreciation for the continued support of the university management. He described the upgraded LOAF as a vital tool for information dissemination, independent learning, and institutional collaboration. “The donation of these LOAF drives to public universities also serves as an awareness campaign, highlighting AUN’s leadership in promoting Open Educational Resources (OERs) and free access to knowledge in Nigeria,” he added.
Reported by John Abah