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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 May 2014
Although the archives of Nigeria have been utilized extensively, especially for historical studies, descriptive or introductory notes on them scarcely exist. With the following paper, based on a recent visit to the National Archives in Kaduna in October 1990, 1 want to contribute in filling this gap. The Nigerian Record Office (now National Archives of Nigeria) was established in 1954 on the recommendation and with the efforts of K. O. Dike, who had toured Nigeria and inspected the state of existing archives. Subsequently he became Government Supervisor of Public Records. Initially the archive was situated at the University of Ibadan, until in 1958 the first permanent block was erected.
The National Archives in Kaduna is one of the three National Archives in Nigeria, the other two being in Ibadan and Enugu. There is some division of competence between the three archives: Enugu is responsible for the southern parts of Nigeria, Ibadan for the western parts, and Kaduna for the states of Northern Nigeria. The present or former names of regions on which documents are to be found in Kaduna are as follows: Adamawa, Bassa, Bauchi, Benue, Borgu, Borno, Central Province, Gongola, Ilorin, Kabba, Kano, Katsina, Kontagora, Lokoja, Munshi, Muri, Nassarawa, Niger, Nupe, Plateau, Sokoto, Yola, and Zaria. In this listing there are of course regional overlappings; for in the course of history provinces have either been carved out or amalgamated into larger units. In some cases, moreover, more or less identical regions are itemized under different names.
Helpful information used in this note was given to me by Usman Baba, U. G. Usman, and Alexander Leo, staff members of the NAK. I wish to express my thanks to them for the kind assistance they offered me during my work in the NAK.
1. Helpful information used in this note was given to me by Usman Baba, U. G. Usman, and Alexander Leo, staff members of the NAK. I wish to express my thanks to them for the kind assistance they offered me during my work in the NAK.
2. The only reports which have come to my knowledge are: Perry, R., “New Sources for Research in Nigerian History,” Africa, 25 (1955), 430–32CrossRefGoogle Scholar; Ajayi, J.F. Ade, “Archival Resources in the Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, and Other Non-Government Institutions in Nigeria,” African Research and Documentation no. 55 (1991): 9–13Google Scholar; Heap, Simon, “The Nigerian National Archives, Ibadan: An Introduction for Users and a Summary of Holdings,” HA 18 (1991): 129–47Google Scholar; Kirk-Greene, A. H. M., “A Preliminary Note on New Sources for Nigerian Military History,” Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria, 3/1 (1964), 129–47Google Scholar; Alegbeleye, G. B., “Archival Odyssey: A Study of the Problems of the Researcher in Using the Methodist Church Records of Nigeria,” HA, 14 (1987), 375–80Google Scholar; Enwere, J.C., “Conservation of Nigerian Archives,” African Research and Documentation no. 55 (1991): 5–8Google Scholar; and Adamu, Gizachew, “Archives in Nigeria: How to Salvage the Soul of a Nation,” Savanna 10/2 (1989): 68–75.Google Scholar For further information and references on archives in Nigeria see Zidouemba, D. and de Grolier, E., Directory of Documentation, Libraries, and Archives Services in Africa, (Paris, 1977)Google Scholar; and Conover, H. F., African Libraries, Book Production, and Archives. A List of References, (Washington, 1962).Google Scholar The Society of Nigerian Archivists publishes The Nigerian Archives; volume 1 appeared in 1989.
3. See the brochure National Archives of Nigeria. Its Purpose, Development, and Functions (n.p., n.d.).
4. Efforts have been made since 1982 to establish branches in each state capital—so far there are ten; Enwere, , “Conservation,” 5.Google Scholar
5. For a compilation of names of the various divisions, provinces and states of Northern Nigeria and their reorganization up to 1970, see the prefaces in Kirk-Greene, A. H. M., Gazetteers of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, (4 vols.: London, 1972).Google Scholar
6. Namely, “A Provisional Guide to Official Publications at the National Archives Kaduna” and “A Provisional List of Official Publications at the National Archives Kaduna,” both by J.C. Enwere, and “Finding Guide for Official Publications, vol. 2” by Umaru Balarabe, M. Abdullahi Zubairu, M. Abdul Wahid, and A. Leo.
