Survey Of Records Management Practices In Two Tertiary Institutions In Ibadan, Nigeria

Tertiary institutions are strategic to society’s life. They innovate learning processes, foster training, research and social re-engineering. Records generated are valuable resource for planning purposes and their management is of vital importance to institutional success. Records represent the tangible product of the work of staff and to recreate them in the event of a total loss would cost millions. It is thus critical to work towards harmonization and standardization of record management practices. This study surveyed records management practices in two institutions; The Polytechnic Ibadan and Lead City University Ibadan, using formulated research questions with a view to finding answers to the questions by way of the total enumeration sampling technique. Resulting data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 25.0.1. Findings revealed that a records management policy exists in both institutions, with an 85% policy implementation rate at the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while Lead City University reported a 52% policy implementation rate. High quantity of records is generated by both institutions in both paper and electronic formats. Record centres are available in both institutions but there existed the problem of limited space that records are even stored in offices. It was noted that fumigation was hardly carried out and a lower consideration was given to mould attack. Lead City University however employed the use of air-conditioning systems to manage and preserve records as a means of combating mould attacks. Based on the findings from this study, it can be concluded that the two tertiary institutions implement good records management practices but there is room for improvement. The records management policy of the institutions should be properly implemented. Regular appraisal of records should also be carried out in both institutions in compliance with the professional tenets of records management. Digitization, automation, reprography, records retention and disposition schedules should be encouraged in handling generation, management, preservation and security of records generated.