Digitizing the Collections of Gemstones Data Africa and International Conference on Data for Education, Abuja Nigeria

Scientific Study from the year 2023 in the subject Computer Science - Commercial Information Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (NRCRI - Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria), course: Computer Science Database, language: English, abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine the current state, prospects and challenges in digitizing archival collections of Gemstones and its resources in Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative research method. The case study research strategy was considered appropriate for the study. Data was gathered through observation and interviews. Interviews were conducted with fifty-two respondents from the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Federal Secretariat, Uyo and the Akwa Ibom State e-library, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study revealed that the respondents claimed to have good knowledge of Gemstones occurrence and its economic importance in Nigeria. They have knowledge of digitization, are aware of the need for digitizing reports published about Gemstones in Nigeria, and that most of the collections are currently not being digitized. Respondents admitted that digitization would be highly beneficial to Government, the institutions that regulate mineral resources, corporate organizations and artisan miners but issues such as lack of funding, lack of digitization policy and lack of trained personnel are the major challenges facing the digitization of Gemstones in the country. The research deals with the contextual and local nature of digitization and brings to the fore the importance of digitizing the collections of Genmstones and its resources in Nigeria. The findings and recommendations of this study is very useful to the Federal and States Governments, policy makers and all stakeholders in the solid minerals sub-sector, especially now that Government propose to diversify the Nigerian economy.