INFORMATION GOVERNANCE RETENTION AND DISPOSITION PRINCIPLES FOR RECORDS MANAGEMENT IN THE REGISTRY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU, ZAMFARA STATE

This study explores the application of the information governance retention and disposition principles to records management practice at Federal University in Zamfara State. The study addressed two research questions: How is the Information Governance Retention Principle applied in records management at the Registry of Federal University Gusau, and how is the Information Governance Disposition Principle applied. This study adopts a quantitative research method with a survey research design. The population consisted all 524 registry Staff as obtained from the institution. The method of proportionate random sampling was employed to choose 52 (10%) from the total population. A self-developed questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was put through face and content validity testing from research professionals .To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, a pilot study was carried out with ten (10) Kaduna State University registry staff. The retrieved and completed copies of the questionnaire were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) analysis where Coefficient value of 0.876 was obtained denoting that the instrument is reliable and can be used for the research work. The collected data were analysed and interpreted descriptively using tables, frequencies, and means, respectively. The findings show that while the university follows approved retention schedules and transfers permanent records to the archives, it lacks a comprehensive retention policy, systematic classification, staff training, regular audits, an appointed archivist, standardized disposal procedures, and proper documentation of destroyed records, revealing both strengths and gaps in applying the Information Governance Retention and Disposition Principles. It was recommended that the University should establish and enforce formalized retention and disposition policies, including records appraisal by a university archivist, regular destruction using established guidelines, detailed documentation of destruction, and obtaining supervisory and witnessing signatures, while consistently transferring records of permanent value to university archives per disposition schedules.