By Jide Olusola and Martha Unuigbe
NyaknnoAbasi Osso is celebrated as a “wonder boy” because he rose from a remote village in Ikot Abasi, Akwaibom State, to become Nigeria’s preeminent archivist ,biographer, information and knowledge Management Expert, best Journalism Librarian and Documentalist.
Without the internet, he became a “human search engine”, pioneering media librarianship and spearheading the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the first of its kind in Africa.
The “How” and “Why” Behind His Success
• Extreme Perseverance:
Born an only child after his mother lost seven previous children,all boys, he was named Nyaknnoabasi (“I leave this one in God’s hands”).
Despite severe poverty and family opposition, he relentlessly pursued Library Science over medicine.
• Vision & Organization:
Before digital search engines, he built the legendary library at Newswatch magazine.
His defining ambition is to be remembered as “one of the most organised human beings on planet earth”.
• Historical Documentation:
He created the award-winning “Newswatch Who’s Who in Nigeria”
and established the Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation to immortalize Nigerian Super- Achievers from 1861 to the present.
Why He is a Model for the Younger Generation
• The Power of Purpose:
His career proves that finding a passion and dedicating one’s life to it—no matter how unconventional—can yield global recognition and national impact.
• Resilience Against the Odds:
His ability to survive profound hardship, health battles, and lack of systemic support showcases the triumph of the human spirit.
• Patriotism & Legacy:
In a society where history is frequently forgotten, his work teaches the immense value of archiving, cultural memory, and nation-building.
Perspectives on His Life:
Prof. Andrew Oshiotse Okwilagwe on NyaknnoAbasi Osso:
“I picture an old newsroom archive in Lagos, sunbeams slicing through dusty windows, illuminating rows of meticulously arranged folders. In the midst of it all stands Osso—quietly leaning over a file, adjusting a misaligned name…”
Sam Akpe on Osso’s legacy:
“I thought I was merely going to pay a brief tribute to a neighbour on his 67th birthday, and 50 years of unprecedented professional achievements. But I have ended up writing a biography; because it is impossible to condense the life of Nyaknnoabasi Osso in a hurry…”
Above all, NyaknnoAbasi is a committed Pastor of the REDEEMED Christian Church of God (RCCG) and an active Kingdom INVESTOR.
Over the last 55 years of his career, he has collected over 2.5million books and about 5million documents, including rare photographs and videos and he’s seeking adequate financial support to DIGITISE this warehouse of information and knowledge for future generations of scholars, historians, Researchers, Librarians, Biographers, Journalists ,Diplomats and Writers…!
Meanwhile, he’s the Founder of BIOGRAPHICAL LEGACY AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION(BLERF),
Publishers of Nigeria’s first and only Online WHO’S WHO(blerf.org);
The Chief of RESEARCH/CO-ORDINATOR: DELE GIWA JOURNALISM RESEARCH CENTRE(delegiwacentre.com) and Editor in Chief, “BLERF’S 5,000 Most Amazing Nigerian Women”(womennigeria.org)
Truly, this “Wonderboy” from Ete in Akwa-Ibom State should be appreciated and celebrated, for he’s done Nigeria proud.
