Records Management and Administrative Efficiency in IMT, Enugu

Effective records management is a foundational requirement for administrative efficiency in higher educational institutions, enabling accurate information retrieval, regulatory compliance, and evidence-based decision-making. This study examines the relationship between records management practices and administrative efficiency at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. The study is anchored on Information Management Theory, which holds that the systematic creation, storage, retrieval, and disposal of records is a strategic organisational function that enhances institutional memory, reduces administrative errors, and supports governance quality. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised registry officials, heads of administrative departments, and academic administrators, from which 200 respondents were drawn through purposive and stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire served as the primary instrument, with data analysed using regression analysis and frequency tables. Findings indicate that the institution's current records management system suffers from inadequate storage facilities, limited digitisation, and insufficient staff training, resulting in frequent record retrieval delays that impede administrative operations. Departments that had adopted partial digital filing recorded measurably faster processing of student certificates and staff documents. The study concludes that inadequate records management is a systemic constraint on administrative efficiency. It is recommended that management invest in a comprehensive electronic document management system and train all registry and administrative staff in digital records management practices aligned with national archival standards.

Keywords: Records Management, Administrative Efficiency, Higher Education, Information Management, IMT Enugu