The Nigerian Library Association (NLA) started as a Division of the West African Library Association (WALA). WALA itself was established in 1954 as an offshoot of a UNESCO seminar on the development of Public Libraries in Africa held at Ibadan in 1953. With the political independence from colonial rule of Anglophone West African countries in the late 1950s and early 1960s, WALA national Divisions transformed in National Library Association (NLA) in 1962.

See The Functions Of The Nigerian Library Association Below:

The unite persons interested in Libraries, Librarianship and Information services;
The safeguard and promote the professional interests pf librarians;
The promote the establishment and development of libraries and to assist in the promotion of such legislation as The be considered necessary for the establishment, regulation and management of libraries in Nigeria;
The watch legislation affecting and to assist in the promotion of such legislation as may be considered necessary for the establishment, regulation and management of libraries in Nigeria;
The promote and encourage bibliographical study, research and library cooperation;
The do all lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.