The Quest for Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) By Academic Librarians in Nigeria: A Survey of Tertiary Institutions in Ekiti State.

This study takes a cursory look at why academic librarians in tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, namely: the three Universities (comprising: one federal, one state and one private), a Polytechnic and a College of Education, have the desire and quest for the acquisition of a doctorate degree as perceived by the researcher, who has worked in some of these institutions in the last three decades. All the five institutions, namely: Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and College of Education Ikere-Ekiti were visited with a prepared structured questionnaire on the subject matter and administered on the basis of the staff strength (academic librarians only) of each institution. A total of fifty (50) copies of questionnaire were administered, with a response rate of forty-four (44), duly completed and found useable for the study, representing 88%. The results show that the respondents had quest for PhD because of their desire for academics, career fulfillment, better remuneration, desire for the title ‘Dr’, improved skill/job output and the need for societal, political and religious recognition. 43 (97.7%) of the respondents, were of the opinion (agreed) that the acquisition of a PhD is never a waste for an academic librarian. Recommendations were made accordingly as appropriate