Archiving strategy: any improved system of documentation on popular music in Nigeria?

Abstract

Archiving is a unique system of material collection, selection, identification, labeling and storing of acquired material directly from the source, author or creator of the material by an archivist. However, the process of documentation and archiving management is a thing of concern in Nigeria due to poor policy implementation and awareness of the importance of archiving. This article focuses on the archival process and how to improve the system in National Archives of Nigeria with a particular reference to popular music documentation. The methods for this study and data collection include personal interviews, archival visitation, library research, and personal experience. Digitization, training and awareness become desirable in order to link the past with the present future. This study reveals that the preservation of the contributions of legendary popular musicians and their autobiographies in the archives will not only conserve the knowledge and contributions of the legends, but also empower the new generation of artists towards developing their creative capacities, actualizing their potentials and offering more knowledge, service and meaning to humanity.