Archives, Sustainable Development and Nation-Building: A Nigerian Perspective

Abstract

The anti-colonial movement in Africa during the twentieth century drew inspiration from history. In the post-independence era, archives,  records and other repositories, which contain strategic socio-economic and political databases, and material evidence of the nation’s  memory, are critical to nation-building and development planning. This essay highlights the potential and challenges of archives and  records as enablers of national integration and development. It demonstrates how they could help in constructing national narratives  that foster cohesion in a heterogeneous nation. They could also be managed to effect healing and closure in a post-conflict situation.  However, deliberate and accidental gaps in the creation, archiving and accessibility of the records vitiate their potential in nation-building.  These challenges could be tackled by, among others, the application of digital technology and the recourse to neglected photo  archives and archived documentaries. The essay draws relevant lessons from across the globe.