Ahmadu Bello University's new Kashim Ibrahim Library was officially opened on 10th December 1976 by Sir Kashim Ibrahim, Chancellor of the University of Lagos and former Governor of Northern Nigeria. The Chancellor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Iya Abubukar, the Emir of Bedde and many distinguished guests attended the ceremony.

The new library building is one of the largest in tropical Africa. It has an area of 140,000 sq.ft. and a capacity for 2,000 readers and half a million books.

New staff took up appointments during 1976: Hajji Khalil Mahmud, University Librarian and Mr. Sam E. Ifidon, Deputy University Librarian. The administration of the library has been re-organised and a programme to increase the book stock (at present approximately 150,000 volumes) is under way.