Holdings and Challenges of Archives in Africa: The Case of the National Archives of Nigeria
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Date
2016
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Abstract
Not many know about the current deplorable state of records in the National Archives of Nigeria. Although the institution was established in 1954, the policy thrusts of the organization have continued to attract challenges, which have remained unresolved decades after its inauguration. The attempts made by stake holders that would have translated into concrete development have, more often than not, resulted in near successes or abysmal failures. This is because institutional structures which were intended to leverage and place her on a firm footing have only succeeded in serving both the interests of the stake holders within and outside the department. This paper argues that the National Archives records would remain under threat for as long as the organization remains subsumed under a federal ministry arrangement. Implementing the Records Management Programmes with a view to enhancing storage, preservation, protection and retrieval would continue to fail as a result of opportunism, insincerity, ineptitude and self centeredness, which remain the bane of archives administration in the National Archives Nigeria today. Consequently, our national heritage will continue to slide and sink into wretched state. The paper advocates that the idea of retaining the National Archives Nigeria under the federal ministry arrangement should be jettisoned without further delay while the commissioning process be reviewed and fast tracked. It concludes that if the National Archives is to continue to enjoy the patronage of its documents by both local and international scholars, then, irregularities associated with using the archives must be addressed. If not, scholars may begin to look for alternative sources of writing.
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Holdings, Archives, National Archives, Nigeria