Challenges of digitization of the National Archives of Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the current state, prospects and challenges in digitizing archival collections at the National Archives of Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative research method. The case study research strategy was considered appropriate for the study. Data was gathered through observation and interviews. Interviews were conducted with six professionals, mostly heads of departments, out of the 40 archival staff at the Department of National Archives, Ibadan. The study revealed that even though the institution claimed to have embarked on a digitization programme in 2003 and reports have been published about an ongoing digitization project, most of the collections are currently not being digitized. Respondents admitted that digitization would be highly beneficial to the institution, but issues such as lack of funding, lack of digitization policy and lack of trained personnel are the major challenges facing the digitization project. The research deals with the contextual and local nature of digitization and brings to the fore the importance of digitizing the collections of the National Archives of Nigeria. The findings and recommendations of this study should be useful to policy makers and all stakeholders including the Federal Government of Nigeria.