What You Gain By Not Attending Professional Association Conferences

 What You Gain By Not Attending Professional Association Conferences

By

Azeez ADEOYE, Ph.D, CLN, MNLA, MLSA.

The Wizard Librarian

Sometimes, I genuinely wonder why some professionals are so passionate about attending conferences. Year after year, they spend their hard-earned money to travel across the country, even when their institutions do not sponsor them. I often ask myself, don't they value the peace that comes with staying comfortably in their offices, workplaces, universities, or communities? Isn't there a certain satisfaction in remaining where life is familiar and predictable?

Think about it. Some travel by air, while many endure long hours on Nigeria's highways, navigating bad roads, traffic congestion, unpredictable weather, and the ever-present safety concerns. They leave behind the comfort of their homes and sleep in hotel rooms that can never quite replace their own beds. Upon arrival, the adventure is only beginning. There are registration queues, accommodation challenges, transportation logistics, crowded halls, competition for good seats, and the occasional scramble for refreshments. And just when you think they have had enough, many of these same people are already planning to attend another conference before the year ends.

For someone looking from the outside, it can all seem unnecessary. Personally, I have often thought that my peace of mind was worth more than all that stress. With the realities of today's economy, every naira counts. Why spend a significant portion of one's income travelling hundreds of kilometres simply to attend a professional gathering? That was the question: until experience provided a different answer.

My participation in the 64th Nigerian Library Association National Conference and Annual General Meeting in Minna, Niger State, completely reinforced my long-held conviction that professional conferences are investments rather than expenses. Although I received no institutional sponsorship, I never allowed that to discourage me. Looking back now, I can confidently say that Minna 2026 was one of the finest conferences I have attended.

Beyond the excellent academic sessions, what stood out was the remarkable organisation, the warmth of the people, the proactive planning, the hospitality, and the genuine sense of community that defined the entire event. Every day presented a new experience and a new story. One of the greatest lessons conferences teach is that travelling is, indeed, another form of education. In Minna, I experienced the rich Gbagyi culture firsthand, listened to authentic stories about life in Northern Nigeria, and developed a deeper appreciation for traditions different from my own. No documentary or textbook could have offered such an immersive experience.

Yet the greatest rewards were not cultural alone. Conferences have a remarkable way of reconnecting people. Imagine unexpectedly meeting a primary school classmate after more than three decades. Imagine reconnecting with university classmates who are now respected colleagues spread across different institutions. Imagine finally meeting people you have worked with online for years but had never seen in person. Those virtual friendships suddenly became real, complete with handshakes, hugs, laughter, and conversations that no video call could ever replace. One memorable example was my heart-to-heart conversation with Dr. Bolaji Oladokun of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi. Although we had interacted professionally before, meeting in person created a different level of connection. Our discussion was sincere, enriching, and refreshing.

Professional conferences also possess a unique ability to heal relationships. Away from the pressures of daily work, supervisors and subordinates find opportunities to resolve misunderstandings. Colleagues settle differences. Old friends reconnect. New friendships begin. In those relaxed moments over meals or during evening events, conversations become more open, honest, and productive. Conferences also offer the rare privilege of meeting, in person, distinguished professionals you have long admired from afar. For me, it was a delight to interact with accomplished colleagues such as Dr. Modupe Aboyade of Ekiti State, Dr. Oyinade Tomori of Abeokuta, Dr. Abayomi Adeleke of Osun State, Prof. F. N. Onifade of Ogun State, Prof. A. A. Abioye, UI, Prof. P. O. Olaojo of Saki, Dr Adetoun Oyelude of Ekiti state, among many others. What had once been distant professional admiration was transformed into warm conversations, shared experiences, and the beginning of lasting professional relationships. These encounters remind us that behind every respected name is a person willing to inspire, mentor, and connect.

For postgraduate students and early-career researchers, the value is even greater. Many supervisors, mentors, and senior academics who appear perpetually busy within their institutions suddenly become remarkably accessible. A brief conversation over lunch or after a paper presentation can provide clarity that months of emails and appointments failed to achieve. Sometimes, a ten-minute discussion can save years of uncertainty in a research journey.

Then there is the networking that no online platform can truly replicate. Social media has transformed academic collaboration, allowing researchers to write papers together across continents. However, meeting those collaborators physically creates a different level of trust and partnership. At Minna, many librarians, researchers, and academics who had only known one another through WhatsApp groups, Zoom meetings, Facebook, LinkedIn, or email finally met face-to-face. Those encounters strengthened existing collaborations and sparked many new ones.

For members of the Nigerian Library Association, the conference also provided an invaluable opportunity for sectional executives and committee members, who normally work virtually throughout the year, to meet physically. Ideas flowed more naturally, relationships became stronger, and the shared commitment to advancing the profession became even more evident. This was certainly my experience as a member of the Executive Committee of the NLA Information Technology Section. Meeting our Chairperson, Dr. Esther Gani of Kaduna State; the Secretary, Dr. Charis Onuoha of Imo State; the Vice Chairman, Dr. Justice; Mr. Aliyu of Kano State; and our Treasurer, Dr. Aisha, in person was truly priceless. Also meeting in person the entire national executive of our prestigious NLA ablely led by Dr Lawal Umar. The camaraderie, meaningful discussions, and shared vision we experienced reaffirmed that while technology enables collaboration, nothing quite matches the value of meeting colleagues face-to-face. 

The memorable moments were countless. The colourful cultural night showcased Nigeria's diversity in spectacular fashion. The awards night celebrated excellence and recognised years of dedicated service to librarianship. One particularly inspiring moment was witnessing thirteen distinguished professionals receive the prestigious Fellow of the Nigerian Library Association (FNLA), the Association's highest honour. It was a reminder that commitment, consistency, and service never go unnoticed. Among the awardees, I was especially delighted to celebrate Dr. Sophia Adeyeye, whose conferment of the FNLA is both fitting and well deserved. Her remarkable contributions to the Nigerian Library Association, particularly within the Oyo State Chapter, as well as her unwavering commitment to advancing librarianship at the national and international levels, have left an enduring impact. Her recognition serves as an inspiration to younger professionals, demonstrating that sustained dedication, visionary leadership, and passionate service ultimately earn the highest honours of the profession.

Of course, conferences were originally conceived as platforms for presenting research findings, exchanging ideas, and discussing professional issues. Today, however, they have evolved into something far greater. They are spaces where careers are shaped, partnerships are forged, opportunities emerge, and lifelong memories are created. They are places where research collaborations begin, mentorship relationships are established, professional networks expand, and sometimes even life-changing decisions are made.

Over the four days of the conference, I had enriching discussions and meaningful conversations with several colleagues and friends, including Dr Mariam Aborisade of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Dr Shade Babatunde of Iree Polytechnic, Dr Oluchi of the School for Persons with Special Needs (SPED), Oyo, Akanna Solomon, Beulah Gabriel from Abuja, Abdullahi of the University of Abuja, and Aishatu, my "partner in crime" from Bauchi. Every interaction was intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.

Personally, Minna introduced me to remarkable professionals from Borno, Niger, Kwara, Lagos, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Abuja, Imo, and many other parts of Nigeria. Each conversation broadened my perspective, every handshake opened a new opportunity, and every interaction reinforced the reality that our profession extends far beyond the walls of our individual institutions. The list of exceptional personalities I had the privilege of meeting is extensive. Among them were Dr Peter-Smith Yemi of Kogi State, the ever-friendly NLA Kwara State delegation led by Dr Bello, Dr Mrs Fatimah Jibril AbdulDayan, of Niger State, Dr Amaka from Abuja, Dr Wada from Borno, Ibrahim Aliyu of the DD Crew, Miss Success from Rivers State, and several of my former postgraduate students from Lead City University, Ibadan. Reconnecting with them was both heart-warming and inspiring.

A particularly memorable reunion was with Hajiya Mabruka Abubakar Abba, college Librarian of Saadatu Rimi College of Education. Our last physical meeting was in 2017 during the Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) induction ceremony in Abuja, after which we unfortunately lost contact. It was a great pleasure to meet her again in Minna, and I was delighted to congratulate her on her conferment as a Fellow of the Nigerian Library Association (FNLA), a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contributions and accomplishments in the library and information profession.

Yes, attending conferences comes with inconveniences. There are financial sacrifices, long journeys, temporary discomfort, and moments of exhaustion. But those inconveniences are fleeting. The knowledge gained, the friendships formed, the professional exposure, the inspiration received, and the opportunities created often remain for years—sometimes for an entire career.

Looking back, I have come to realise that the greatest cost is not the conference registration fee, the hotel bill, or the transport fare. The greatest cost may well be choosing not to attend at all and, in the process, missing opportunities that may never come again. Of course, I recognise that not every professional who wished to attend the Minna 2026 Conference was able to do so. For many, circumstances beyond their control, including ill health, family responsibilities, financial constraints, or the inability to secure institutional approval, made attendance impossible. Such realities deserve understanding rather than judgement.

As I reflect on my own experience, I am deeply grateful to the management of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila-Orangun, for granting me permission to attend the conference. I am particularly indebted to my immediate boss, Mrs. Bukky Asubiojo, FNLA, the University Librarian, whose unwavering support and encouragement made my participation possible. She has consistently been a torchbearer, an inspiring mentor, and a guiding light whose leadership continues to motivate many of us in the profession. For that, I remain sincerely appreciative.

The next Nigerian Library Association National Conference will take place in Abia State in 2027, while Kwara State has been announced as the host for 2028. If circumstances permit, I sincerely hope to be there. More importantly, I hope to see many colleagues who are still wondering whether professional conferences are worth the sacrifice. As for me, the answer is no longer theoretical, it is deeply personal. Some experiences simply cannot be streamed online, downloaded as conference proceedings, or captured in photographs. They must be lived. And now, I would love to hear from you. What has been your most memorable experience at a professional conference?