Project Overview

The scanning of the Civil War newspaper collection began on February 3, 2025, with a scheduled completion date of March 3, 2025. The primary objective was to digitize editions of the Daily Times from 1967 to 1970. Four students from the University of Ibadan participated in the project. Two students were stationed at the Kenneth Dike Library, while the other two worked at the National Archives, Ibadan, within the University of Ibadan premises.

Project Execution and Milestones

Over four weeks, the students scanned more than 20,000 pages of newspapers, including Daily Times, Nigerian Sketch, Morning Post, and West African Pilot. Although Daily Times was the main focus, the 1967 editions were unavailable, necessitating the inclusion of other newspapers. Additionally, some months were incomplete as certain editions were missing from both the library and archives.

Despite these challenges, the project was completed three days ahead of schedule, demonstrating efficiency and dedication from the team. Finishing early allowed for final checks and ensured all scanned documents were properly archived.

Challenges Encountered

1. Lighting Issues – The University of Ibadan controls the library’s lighting schedule, typically turning on lights only three hours before closing. On some days, lights were not turned on at all. The library also relies on limited solar-powered bulbs, which are not bright enough for scanning.
2. Document Quality – Some pages were blank, torn, or deteriorated due to damage from insects, rats, or prolonged exposure to dust. Faint or illegible text made it difficult to capture clear scans.
3. Maintenance and File Management – The majority of documents were covered in dust, which complicated handling. Initially, scanned files were not stored in the designated ng central system and were not properly named. While later editions, especially from 1968 onward, were correctly archived, the lack of proper oversight in subsequent days by Olalekan led to misnaming of files. This required a renaming process by the students. However, with intervention from Boyega and Olalekan, subsequent uploads were correctly labeled and stored.

Significance of the Project

The successful scanning of these historical documents is invaluable for future research. These newspapers provide firsthand insights into a crucial period in Nigeria’s history. Having them digitized ensures that researchers can always return to these archives when working on topics related to the Civil War. This project also benefits future fellows, who can access these materials for academic and investigative work.

Recommendations for Future Projects

To improve efficiency in future scanning projects, the following measures should be considered:

• Ensure the operations team is actively involved in quality checks and file naming.
• Account for students’ schedules—including exams, tests, and important classes—when designing project timelines.
• Assign a supervisor on-site to monitor scanning activities.
• Ensure that assigned personnel are available throughout the project duration.

Conclusion

Despite the challenges, the project was a success and serves as a valuable pilot study for larger-scale digitization efforts. The lessons learned from this process will help streamline future projects and enhance archival research accessibility.