Searchers’ Perception of Access Regulations in Nigerian National Archives

ABSTRACT

Access to archives is an important component of archives administration. In the past, public archival institutions were credited with the dual role of preserving and making accessible the public archives in their custody, access being regarded as a secondary function (Jenkinson, 1937). Today, access to information generally seems to have been acknowledged as a critical element of participatory democracy (Adams, 2005) as evidenced in the clamour for Freedom of Information legislation all over the world. The purpose of access laws is to promote accountability and transparency in government (Millar, 2003).