Nyaknno Osso will be remembered as a visionary librarian, information and knowledge management expert, researcher, documentalist, and advocate of reading culture who dedicated his career to preserving Nigeria’s intellectual heritage, promoting lifelong learning, and building institutions that inspire leadership, scholarship, and national development.
1. The Nation Builder
Nyaknno Osso will be remembered for transforming knowledge into a tool for national development through research, documentation, library and information management, and institution building.
2. The Reading Advocate
He will be remembered for championing a reading culture in Nigeria through the Read Nigeria Foundation, inspiring generations of readers, writers, and leaders.
3. The Custodian of History
He will be remembered for documenting the lives and contributions of distinguished Nigerians, ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations (Founder, BLERF’s Who’s Who in Nigeria).
4. The Institution Builder
He will be remembered for establishing sustainable platforms for knowledge creation, policy dialogue, leadership development, and intellectual engagement.
5. The Knowledge Reformer
He will be remembered for advancing documentation, digitization, electronic archiving, and information management as essential pillars of Nigeria’s future.
What Friends, Writers, and Journalists Have Written About Nyaknno Osso
“The search engine before Google.” This description reflects his extraordinary ability to locate information quickly and accurately long before the internet became widely available.
“The King of Archives.” Journalists have praised him as a librarian and documentation expert whose dedication to preserving records and knowledge is unmatched.
“One of the world’s greatest librarians.” Veteran journalist Taiwo Obe described him in these terms, recognising his professional excellence.
“One man I know who is married to his profession.” Former Newswatch Managing Editor Yakubu Mohammed used this expression to highlight Osso’s lifelong devotion to librarianship and research.
“The two-minute librarian.” Ray Ekpu recalled that Osso could find virtually any information within two minutes or immediately point people to the right source.
“The best of the best.” Dele Giwa reportedly described Osso this way in recognition of his professionalism and research skills.
“Nigeria’s most successful bibliophile.” Veteran journalist Dare Babarinsa wrote that Osso had influenced Nigeria more than any other librarian through his work in research, documentation, and biographical preservation.
“He was not just a keeper of books. He was the governor of our treasure house, the library.” This tribute by Dare Babarinsa captures the central role Osso played at Newswatch magazine.
“His professionalism was a big blessing.” Journalist Mercy Ette praised the Newswatch Research Library under Osso’s leadership as a “treasure trove” that strengthened the magazine’s journalism.
“He has left a mark on the minds of many people… as one of the best journalism librarians in this part of the world.” This tribute came from Seye Kehinde.
Living Mentor
Prof. Felicia Adetowun Ogunsheye
Nigeria’s first female professor.
Former Head of the Library School, University of Ibadan.
She mentored Nyaknno Osso from 1972, when he enrolled to study Library Science.
Osso has described her as his mentor for over 50 years.
Influential Figures and Professional Guides (Deceased)
Although he has not publicly referred to them as mentors, these individuals played important roles in shaping his career.
Dele Giwa (1947–1986)
Founder of Newswatch magazine. He recruited Osso into the founding management team in 1984 and greatly influenced his career in journalism, research, and documentation.
Ray Ekpu (Living)
Co-founder of Newswatch. He brought Osso into journalism librarianship, worked closely with him, and encouraged the development of the Newswatch Research Library.
Yakubu Mohammed (Late)
Former Managing Editor of Newswatch. He was a close professional colleague who praised Osso’s work and encouraged his professional development.
Olusegun Obasanjo (Living)
While not described by Osso as a mentor, he worked closely with him for 25 years, from 1988 to 2013, on library development, research, documentation, and the establishment of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
Assessing the Competence of Nyaknno Osso
Nyaknno Osso’s professional journey is unusual because it spans four closely related fields—librarianship, journalism, biography, and public service.
Rather than changing careers, he built on the skills acquired in one field to excel in the next.
As a librarian, he developed expertise in information organisation, research, bibliographic control, records management, and knowledge preservation.
His reputation as an exceptional information specialist earned him recognition among journalists and scholars, who relied on his ability to retrieve accurate information quickly.
His transition into journalism expanded those strengths. Working with Newswatch magazine exposed him to investigative research, fact-checking, editorial processes, and the documentation of contemporary events. His role demonstrated that rigorous journalism depends on sound research and reliable information management.
He also gained valuable experience from some of the best media institutions around the world.
Through decades of researching individuals, institutions, and historical events, Osso naturally evolved into a biographer and documentalist.
His biographies and archival work reflect careful attention to accuracy, context, and the preservation of historical memory.
He has helped ensure that the achievements of notable Nigerians are documented for future generations (blerf.org).
His work with President Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly in developing the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and related documentation initiatives, introduced him to public policy, institutional development, and national archival projects.
This experience broadened his contribution from documenting individual lives to preserving records of national significance.
Taken together, Nyaknno Osso’s competence lies in his ability to connect information, history, journalism, and national memory.
His career illustrates how librarianship can provide the foundation for excellence in journalism, biography, documentation, and institutional development.
His enduring contribution is not merely the collection of information but the preservation of Nigeria’s intellectual and historical heritage in forms that will benefit future generations.
He is also the Chief of Research for the newly established Dele Giwa Journalism Research Centre, Abuja (delegiwacentre.com).
Above all, he is a Kingdom investor and a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
