Development of a Repository Database for the Research Unit of the Federal Polytechnic Offa

Abstract

Abstract: The digital preservation and dissemination of institutional research outputs are vital for academic visibility, transparency, and global competitiveness. This paper presents the design and development of a repository database for the Research Unit of the Federal Polytechnic Offa (FPO), intended to manage publications, datasets, theses, and intellectual outputs in line with international metadata standards and Nigerian data protection laws. The study integrates Dublin Core metadata schema, OpenAIRE guidelines, and FAIR data principles, while aligning with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR, 2019) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA, 2023). The proposed repository employs a DSpace-based architecture with PostgreSQL, a RESTful API, and ORCID integration for researcher identification. Evaluation metrics include discoverability, interoperability, metadata quality, and NDPR compliance. The system provides a replicable model for other Nigerian tertiary institutions seeking to improve their research