News
Help! Nigeria’s National Memory under Threat
The sorry and disgusting state of the National Archives office in Lagos portends a threat to the (documentaries) memory of a nation like Nigeria.
The centre is currently undermined by civil servants and politicians as a negligible national monument.
National Archives Lagos once referred to one of Nigeria’s prime point of pride and prestige is under sever attaches of termites, and weeds reaching the roof tops.
During a recent tour of the department of National Archives of Nigeria office in Ikoyi Lagos, by a team of Records and Information Management Awareness (RIMA) Foundation led by Dr. Oyewole Oyedokun, the president, “observed the fact that the facility is grossly underfunded and this has negatively affected the state of records/archives housed by the Lagos branch office which served as National Headquarters up till 2005”.
While recalling UNESCO’s believe that “Documentary heritage reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures.
It is the mirror of the world and its memory. But this memory is fragile. Every day, irreplaceable parts of this memory disappear forever,” he added that “Records and their information contents are raw materials for administrators to direct, control, communicate, plan and formulate policies.
“Public administrators rely on available and accurate records to advise government on implications of policy options, actively promote unity, and assist government to operate an administrative system that is conscious, performance oriented, efficient and effective. Nations archives are the most important sources of information for the study of her political, social, economic and general development.
“They are also means of transmitting information about a nation’s cultural heritage, and also constitute evidence of material and intellectual growth.
However, the Lagos branch office of the National Archives of Nigeria, has in its custody important records/archives e.g. pictorial archives such as past colonial masters, Nigerian heads of state, news papers, journals, copies of Janus, records of federal ministries that relocated from the commercial nerve center of Lagos to Abuja.
The security and preservation of these records in a conducive and well equipped repository is necessary for their continuous survival.
Some findings made by RIMA’s team include that, “The repository where these records/archived materials are kept lack facilities such as , fire extinguisher, air conditioners, dehumidifier etc for the room temperature control of Stacks, boxes, steel shelves, brown paper and other preservation/records maintenance facilities. Most of the records are on the bare floor and are fast deteriorating.
“The records/archives are not secured because the office lacks security physical security (Security guards); The lack of professional training, coupled with the lack of resources; Most of the doors and windows within the building and the repository have collapsed thereby exposing Records to rodents and water from rainfall; The building was surrounded by grasses and the services of gardeners are required and Members of staff are exposed to health hazards because the office lacks conveniences and water”.
A document containing the findings indicated that, “Archivists lack personal protective equipment (overall and gloves etc) and are therefore exposed to dust during the cause of executing their duties.
“The search room is not equipped for usage and no provision for official vehicle or van required for the acquisition of records”.
The RIMA’s president lamented that unless action is taken now, much of mankind’s documentary heritage in the facility may vanish.
“In the light of the above, we would like to call on all relevant government agencies, local and international donors to come to the rescue of these national monuments before being left to deteriorate beyond recovery,” he said.
The National Archives of Nigeria presently operates under the provision of the National Archives Act of 1992 with laid down objectives to locate, assemble and rationalize the documentary source material of the country and preserve them permanently for research and other purposes; to enhance efficiency and economy in the running of government Ministries and departments, by developing and advising on methods for the elimination of non-current records and for their eventual transfer to the Federal Records Centers and the National Archives.
Others are to extend the interest of the department beyond that of non-current records and semi-current records in creating agencies through records management programmes; restore and preserve historical records through conservation activities; serve as an information bank for government documentary source materials and to publish guides and historical materials for the benefit of the people and to educate through training the citizenry on the importance of records and their documentary heritage as well as reservation and management of records of individuals, private bodies, Companies and business organizations.
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has warned Nigerians against transacting with three fake Nigerian firms, citing fraudulent incorporation documents and registration numbers not issued by the commission.
According to the CAC, these companies are using fake certificates of incorporation with two different RC numbers each, none of which exist in the commission’s official records.
The affected companies are SPEF Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265884 and 512862, UPIL Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265837 and 553220, and PREM Staff Cooperative Society Ltd with RC Numbers 1265844 and 545901.
The CAC warns that any Nigerian conducting business with these entities does so at their own risk.
“Anyone that transacts any business with the above-mentioned companies does so at their own risk,” the commission warned.
The commission further advised potential partners and investors to verify registration details directly through its official portal before signing contracts or making payments.
Similarly, the CAC, in a bid to enhance its services, introduced an AI-powered business registration platform on July 3, designed to streamline incorporations.
This new system offers instant name reservations, automated business-name suggestions, and same-day registration using a National Identification Number (NIN).
Additionally, the commission plans to review its service fees starting August 1, aiming to make its services more efficient and cost-effective.
The African Development Bank, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, has launched a transformative system to mainstream youth employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship across its investments.
The approach, called the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System, is aligned with the Bank’s latest Ten-Year Strategy, which places Africa’s young people at the center of development efforts to maximize the impact of every dollar invested, turning demographics into a dividend.
The Marker System ensures that Bank projects spanning diverse sectors, such as agriculture, transport, energy, water, and education, systematically incorporate components that enhance youth employability, foster entrepreneurship, and build market-relevant skills.
“The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is about ensuring Africa’s young people have a real say and active role in building sustainable economies and creating jobs – not as passive recipients of youth programs,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development. “This transformation of Bank practices and systems is a step toward making sure our investments have a positive impact on Africa’s young women and men.”
The integrated system has three focus areas:
Youth: Supporting youth-led micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through targeted investments and operational integration.
Skills: Expanding access to practical, market-driven training and apprenticeships to enhance career prospects.
Jobs: Ensuring Bank-funded projects create sustainable job opportunities, particularly by developing youth skills for employability and the promotion of youth-led businesses in priority value chains.
Each year, around 10 to 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, which offers only three million formal jobs annually. The Bank will prioritize youth entrepreneurship and mobilize private sector partnerships to strengthen industry-oriented skills training as well as job creation over the coming decade.
“[This initiative] is very important because it allows us to significantly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #8 that includes decent work for all,” said Peter van Rooij, Director of Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation at the International Labour Organization. “It also allows the International Labour Organization to influence the Bank’s work, to support their lending that is more geared toward more job creation and better jobs in a sustainable way.”
The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is modeled on the success of the Bank’s Gender Marker System and its online dashboard, which categorize Bank projects based on their contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Similarly, the new system will feature an online platform enabling Bank staff and consultants to access real-time data for preparing country strategy papers, mid-term reviews, annual reports, project supervision, and reporting on youth-related skills, businesses and jobs outcomes.
The Bank has just launched a pilot version of the Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System in readiness for the full implementation in 2026. This system will enhance data tracking, improve estimates of youth skills attainment and employment, strengthen labor market information systems, and support policymakers in making evidence-based decisions that drive meaningful change.
The International Labour Organization provided technical support for the system’s development with financial support from the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The Youth, Jobs and Skills Marker System is the first deliberate action of its kind developed by a development finance institution worldwide.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has revealed plans to commence investigation into the activities of an entity operating under FF Tiffany, allegedly running a fraudulent investment scheme that has defrauded citizens.
A statement by the SEC on Tuesday in Abuja said preliminary information revealed that the scheme, which promised investors unusually high and unrealistic returns, had resulted in the loss of several billions of naira.
The SEC said it viewed the activity as a threat to investor confidence and the overall integrity of the financial system.
The commission assured the public that it was working closely with law enforcement agencies and other relevant bodies to bring everyone involved in the unlawful operation to justice.
According to SEC, those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Investment and Securities Act and regulatory provisions.
SEC reiterated its earlier warnings to the general public to desist from engaging in Ponzi or unregistered investment schemes that promised guaranteed or exaggerated returns.
“These schemes are not registered with the SEC and do not offer investor protection under the law.
“The commission is currently investigating 79 schemes and will make a statement on its findings at the conclusion of the investigation,” the SEC said.
The commission encouraged investors to conduct due diligence and verify the registration status of any investment firm or product by visiting the SEC website or contacting the commission directly through official channels.
SEC said it remained committed to its mandate of protecting investors, ensuring fair practices, and maintaining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.
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