Utilization of Records in Emirate Councils of the North-Eastern States of Nigeria

The paper is designed to determine the utilization of records in the emirate councils of the NorthEastern states of Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study, among them are to identify the types of records created; examine the purposes for using the records, identify the challenges associated with the utilization of records; and to proper strategies for enhancing the utilization of records in the emirate councils studied. A descriptive survey design was used, and the area of the study is North-Eastern states of Nigeria comprising six states thus, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states. The population of the study consists of emirate administrators numbering 308 and the key traditional title holders 440, totaling 748 in numbers. The entire population was used for the study. A structured Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Two sets of questionnaire were used on the respondent groups i.e. (the emirate administrators and the key traditional title holders). The data collected was analyzed using mean and standard deviations. The result of the data analysis reveals various categories of records were created in the emirate councils studied, and that records were utilized for administrative efficiency, decision making, accountability, and for research, reference, legal purposes e.t.c. The study also revealed a number of challenges associated with the utilization of records, such as staff lacking knowledge of managing the records; inadequate staff to manage the records; ignorance of the importance of records generated; low patronage by people in using the records, and inadequate government support especially on funding. Based on the findings, it was suggested that the State and Local Governments should help in having a standard building to serve as record office; increase the budgetary allocations of the Emirate Councils to enable them buy storage and infrastructural facilities etc.