Perceived Challenges and Strategies for Digital Preservation at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the perceived challenges hindering digital preservation and the strategies for enhancing digital preservation at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population comprised 183 staff members drawn from the library, media, ICT, and registry units of NASRDA headquarters and two activity centres. The entire population was studied because it was small enough to manage without sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument produced an overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.99 across the 16 items. This high coefficient is interpreted cautiously because it may indicate substantial overlap among items rather than exceptionally high measurement quality. Data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean scores, and standard deviation. All eleven challenge items were above the 2.50 cut-off, with mean scores ranging from 3.37 for inadequate funding to 2.89 for technophobia. The five proposed strategies were also above the cut-off, with training and development recording the highest mean (3.38) and policy and procedure development the lowest (3.19). The findings indicate that NASRDA staff perceive digital preservation as being affected by financial, institutional, technological, and human-capacity factors. The study concludes that improvement at NASRDA requires coordinated attention to funding, policy, infrastructure, staff competence, collaboration, and monitoring. The study recommends that NASRDA strengthen its digital preservation policy, provide sustained funding, upgrade preservation infrastructure, and organise regular staff training.