Abstract
The rapid integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs)
into Nigerian university libraries has enhanced information access and service
delivery but has also intensified the generation of electronic waste (e-waste).
Despite the existence of national regulatory frameworks such as those provided
by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
(NESREA) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, e-waste
management in university libraries remains largely ineffective. This paper
examines the persistent gap between policy formulation and practical
implementation in e-waste management within Nigerian university libraries.
Adopting an opinion-based analytical approach, the study argues that the core
challenge is not policy absence but weak institutionalization and implementation
failure at the library level. The paper conceptualizes e-waste as both an
environmental concern and a governance issue, emphasizing the institutional
responsibilities of libraries in ICT life-cycle management. Findings reveal that
deficiencies such as the absence of internal e-waste policies, weak asset life-cycle
systems, limited accountability structures, inadequate infrastructure, and low
prioritization of sustainability significantly undermine effective e-waste
management. The study further highlights poor coordination between libraries
and environmental or recycling agencies as a major constraint. It concludes that
sustainable e-waste management requires a shift from policy existence to policy
enforcement through institutional reforms, strengthened operational systems,
and capacity development. The paper contributes to Library and Information Science (LIS) discourse by re-framing e-waste as an institutional governance
challenge and advocating for integrated sustainability practices within academic
libraries.
Keywords: e-waste, university libraries, ICT lifecycle, policy implementation,
sustainability, Nigeria
Publication Date: 2026-07-31