Open Access in Nigeria: Drivers, Barriers, and Policy Recommendations

Open access (OA), represents a transformative movement in scholarly communication aimed at providing free, immediate, and unrestricted access to academic research outputs. In Nigeria, OA has gained increasing attention as a mechanism for democratizing knowledge, enhancing research visibility, and addressing inequalities in access to scholarly resources. This paper provides a critical policy-oriented analysis of OA realities in Nigeria, drawing on secondary data, institutional reports, and selected case studies based on insights from Nigerian universities. While notable progress has been made, such as the establishment of institutional repositories and growing awareness among librarians and researchers, significant challenges persist, including limited digital infrastructures, inconsistent institutional policies, inadequate funding, and cultural barriers within academia. Additionally, concerns regarding predatory publishing and Article Processing Charges (APCs), complicate adoption. The study contributes to the literature by synthesizing existing evidence with contextual policy evaluation and illustrative institutional case observations, offering actionable recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s OA ecosystem. By aligning national policy, improving digital infrastructure, and incentivizing researchers, Nigeria can harness OA as a strategic tool for academic advancement and socio-economic development.