Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about PublicRecords.ng

PublicRecords.ng is Nigeria's first citizen-driven digital archive dedicated to preserving and sharing public documents. It allows anyone to upload, access, and search historical and official materials such as government gazettes, bylaws, ordinances, court rulings, public notices, and administrative records.

Many Nigerian public documents are scattered, lost, or difficult to access. PublicRecords.ng was established to preserve these materials digitally and make them freely accessible to citizens, researchers, and future generations. It helps bridge the gap between Nigeria's historical records and the digital era.

You may upload documents that are:

  • Officially published by federal, state, or local government authorities.
  • Publicly available (not confidential or classified).
  • Historical records of value to researchers, journalists, or citizens.
  • Materials in the public domain or released under open-access terms.

Examples include:

  • Government Gazettes
  • Legal Notices
  • Local Government Bylaws
  • Ordinances and Edicts
  • Court Judgments
  • Public Service Circulars
  • Historical Reports or Bulletins

Yes. Every document uploaded is reviewed by our editorial team to ensure it meets the platform's standards for authenticity, legality, and relevance before it becomes publicly accessible.

  • You need an account to upload documents or contribute metadata (titles, dates, summaries).
  • You do not need an account to browse or download publicly available materials.

No. PublicRecords.ng is a free and open platform. Accessing and downloading public domain materials does not attract any fees.

You can report it by clicking "Report Document" or sending an email to our support team with the document link and a short note. Our editors will review and correct or remove duplicates as necessary.

No. Only upload materials that are:

  • Officially in the public domain, or
  • Released with permission for public access.

If a copyrighted work is mistakenly uploaded, it can be removed through our Copyright and Takedown Policy in line with the Nigerian Copyright Act, 2022.

We will contact you and temporarily remove the document while reviewing the complaint. You'll be able to respond through a Counter-Notice process. Details are provided in our Copyright and Takedown Policy.

Generally, yes — most official publications such as gazettes, acts, and court rulings are public domain in Nigeria.

However, if a document includes commentary, analysis, or formatting created by a private party, those portions may still be protected by copyright.

Yes, for most materials. You may use public domain or government records freely for research, journalism, or education.

If a document includes third-party material (like commentary or photos), please give proper attribution or confirm usage rights.

You can cite documents using the format displayed on the page where the document is accessed.

If a document contains sensitive personal data, private correspondence, or a copyright-protected work, you may request removal by emailing:

Email: takedown@publicrecords.ng

Include the document link, your contact information, and a brief explanation.

No. PublicRecords.ng is a non-governmental, non-profit initiative created for public benefit. It operates independently but collaborates with institutions, archives, and researchers that share the goal of preserving Nigeria's documentary heritage.

The platform is managed by the Institute for Historical Studies, Biographical Research, Documentation and Legacy (IHS-BiRD & L), a registered non-profit organisation committed to preserving Nigeria's history and public memory through research, documentation, and digital innovation.

Still have questions?

We're here to help! Contact our support team for assistance.

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