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Understanding Secretarial Services in Modern Organizations

The demand for secretarial services remains one of the most critical yet often underestimated organizational needs in contemporary business environments. PremiumResearchers has developed extensive expertise in analyzing secretarial service dynamics within Nigerian institutions, helping organizations and academic researchers understand how administrative excellence directly correlates with business success.

A secretarial service encompasses far more than clerical work. Modern secretaries function as administrative professionals who maintain organizational records, manage executive schedules, facilitate communication between departments, and serve as crucial bridges between management and operational teams. In Nigerian organizations ranging from banking institutions like Bank of the North (BON) and Union Bank of Nigerian Plc (UBN) to telecommunications companies like Nitel, secretarial professionals drive operational efficiency and professional communication standards.

The National Secretarial Association (International) defines a secretary as “an assistant to an executive who possesses mastery of office skills and ability to assume responsibilities without direct supervision, one who displays initiatives, exercises judgement and makes decisions within the scope of her authority.” This definition underscores that contemporary secretarial services demand judgment, autonomy, and strategic thinking—qualities that extend far beyond traditional data entry or filing responsibilities.

Organizations across Nigeria’s major economic centers increasingly recognize that secretarial services directly impact their competitive positioning. Students and researchers studying organizational management consistently identify secretarial function as a critical variable in their analysis of institutional performance, particularly within banking, telecommunications, and development sectors.

Core Secretarial Responsibilities in Contemporary Organizations

Modern secretarial roles encompass diverse responsibilities that directly support organizational objectives:

• Record Management and Documentation: Maintaining, organizing, and retrieving critical business documents while ensuring compliance with information security protocols
• Executive Support: Managing executive calendars, coordinating travel arrangements, and facilitating meeting preparations
• Communication Facilitation: Screening calls, managing correspondence, and serving as the primary communication point for external and internal stakeholders
• Administrative Coordination: Organizing meetings, preparing agendas, documenting minutes, and ensuring follow-up action items receive appropriate attention
• Financial Management: Managing office petty cash, processing expense reports, and maintaining departmental budgets within authorized parameters
• Public Relations: Representing the organization through professional demeanor, welcoming visitors, and maintaining the office environment as a reflection of organizational standards
• Staff Coordination: Supervising secretarial assistants, delegating tasks appropriately, and ensuring quality standards in administrative outputs
• Strategic Planning Support: Contributing to planning processes by providing data analysis, research support, and logistical coordination for organizational initiatives

These responsibilities require professionals who combine technical office skills with business understanding, interpersonal excellence, and the ability to operate with minimal direct supervision. The complexity of modern secretarial services demands ongoing professional development and access to quality training programs—areas where academic research on secretarial services from institutions like UNILAG provides critical insights for both practitioners and organizations.

The Evolution of the Secretarial Role: From Clerical Support to Strategic Partnership

The secretarial profession has undergone profound transformation over the past two decades. Early conceptualizations of secretarial work focused primarily on clerical tasks—typing, filing, and message delivery. Contemporary secretarial services, however, represent a fundamental shift toward strategic administrative partnership with organizational leadership.

This evolution reflects broader technological and organizational changes. The introduction of computers, electronic communication systems, and sophisticated office management software has eliminated many routine clerical tasks that once dominated secretarial workdays. Simultaneously, these technological advances have created new demands: digital information management, electronic communication coordination, virtual meeting facilitation, and data organization for analytics-driven decision making.

Traditional vs. Modern Secretarial Services: A Critical Distinction

Traditional Secretarial Services (Pre-Digital Era):

• Emphasis on typing speed and accuracy
• Manual filing and document retrieval systems
• Stenography and shorthand expertise
• Physical correspondence management
• Limited decision-making authority
• Narrow specialization in clerical functions

Modern Secretarial Services (Contemporary Organizations):

• Digital literacy and software proficiency across multiple platforms
• Database management and information architecture
• Project coordination and workflow management
• Multi-channel communication (email, messaging, video conferencing)
• Strategic decision-making within designated scope
• Integrated support across human resources, finance, and operations

Professional secretaries today require competencies that closely mirror those demanded of junior management positions. They must understand organizational strategy, contribute to planning processes, analyze operational challenges, and propose solutions that improve efficiency. This elevation of the secretarial role creates new opportunities for career advancement while simultaneously raising barriers for those without comprehensive professional development access.

Nigerian organizations in the banking sector (Bank of the North, Union Bank of Nigerian Plc) have particularly embraced this evolution, recognizing that secretarial excellence directly impacts customer service quality, regulatory compliance, and internal operational smoothness. Academic researchers studying organizational management in Ibadan and other major Nigerian cities consistently identify secretarial function as a key variable in their analysis of institutional effectiveness.

Prospects and Opportunities in Secretarial Services: Growth Trajectory and Market Demand

The demand for quality secretarial services continues to expand across Nigeria’s public and private sectors, despite periodic assertions that technological advancement would eliminate administrative support roles. This persistence of demand reflects a fundamental truth: as organizations become more complex, they require more sophisticated administrative coordination, not less.

Key Opportunities Driving Secretarial Services Demand

Organizational Expansion and Complexity: As Nigerian organizations grow in scale and geographic distribution, administrative coordination becomes increasingly challenging. Multi-branch operations, distributed teams, and complex stakeholder relationships create exponential increases in administrative support requirements. Secretarial professionals who can manage this complexity while maintaining organizational standards experience high demand.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Banking, telecommunications, and development sectors operate under stringent regulatory frameworks requiring meticulous documentation, audit trails, and compliance verification. Secretarial professionals with expertise in compliance documentation and record management are in exceptional demand. This is particularly evident in financial institutions where regulatory bodies require detailed administrative oversight.

Specialization Opportunities: Beyond general secretarial services, organizations increasingly seek professionals specializing in specific areas. Legal secretaries, medical secretaries (in healthcare organizations), financial secretaries (in banking), and technical secretaries (supporting engineering and IT departments) command premium compensation and enjoy strong career progression opportunities.

Executive Leadership Pipeline: Secretaries positioned with senior executives often develop comprehensive business understanding that qualifies them for advancement into management, human resources, or operations roles. Organizations increasingly recognize that secretarial positions serve as excellent training grounds for developing future administrative leaders.

Remote and Hybrid Work Coordination: Contemporary organizational challenges around distributed workforces, virtual meetings, and asynchronous communication have elevated secretarial importance. Professionals managing complex scheduling across time zones, coordinating virtual events, and maintaining communication clarity in remote environments experience strong demand.

This growing demand is particularly acute in organizations across Kaduna, Lagos, and other major Nigerian metropolitan areas where business complexity continues to increase. PremiumResearchers provides comprehensive research support for students and professionals analyzing these organizational trends, particularly for those studying banking operations, telecommunications administration, or development organization management.

Critical Challenges Facing Female Secretaries in Nigerian Organizations

Despite the critical importance of secretarial services, female secretaries encounter substantial and persistent challenges that limit their professional satisfaction, career advancement, and earning potential. These challenges operate across multiple organizational levels and reflect broader gender dynamics within Nigerian workplaces.

Challenge 1: Perception of Competence Gaps and Technology Proficiency

A persistent challenge confronting female secretaries stems from organizational misperceptions about their technical capabilities, particularly regarding contemporary technology adoption. Some organizational leaders incorrectly assume that secretaries trained through traditional secretarial programs lack modern digital competencies required in contemporary office environments. This perception directly contradicts reality: professional secretaries today receive comprehensive training in database management, advanced software applications, cloud-based collaboration tools, and digital security protocols.

This perception gap creates barriers to advancement and opportunity. When organizational decision-makers underestimate secretarial technological competence, they fail to assign advanced projects, provide professional development access, or consider secretaries for roles requiring technical expertise. Female secretaries must frequently demonstrate digital competence through work output rather than receiving initial trust based on professional credentials.

Organizations in banking and telecommunications sectors sometimes compound this challenge by failing to provide adequate technology training to secretarial staff, then attributing lower productivity to individual capability rather than training deficiencies. This systemic issue reflects organizational underinvestment in secretarial professional development rather than secretarial competence limitations.

Challenge 2: Systemic Undervaluation of Secretarial Contribution

Many organizations underestimate the strategic value secretarial professionals contribute to operational success. While executive leadership clearly understands the importance of their personal secretary’s work, broader organizational culture often fails to recognize how secretarial services support overall institutional performance. This undervaluation manifests in several ways:

• Compensation structures that fail to reflect secretarial responsibilities and specialized expertise
• Limited professional development budgets allocated to secretarial training and advancement
• Lack of clear career progression pathways for secretarial professionals
• Insufficient recognition of secretarial contributions in organizational success stories and case studies
• Assignment of clerical work unrelated to core secretarial function, diluting time available for strategic administrative support

This challenge is particularly acute for female secretaries, who experience the “office wife” phenomenon where organizations expect personal care, emotional labor, and service-orientation that extends beyond professional scope. Male administrative professionals in similar roles rarely face these expectations, creating a gender-specific burden that contributes to professional dissatisfaction and career attrition.

Challenge 3: Limited Career Advancement Pathways

Female secretaries in Nigerian organizations encounter significant barriers to career advancement that their male counterparts in other professional fields rarely experience. These barriers manifest through multiple structural and cultural mechanisms:

Structural Advancement Gaps: Many organizations maintain organizational charts where secretarial positions represent dead-end career paths rather than stepping stones to management roles. Unlike other professional disciplines where clear advancement pathways exist (accounting to senior accountant to finance manager, sales representative to sales manager to regional director), secretarial services often feature only two or three hierarchical levels with limited upward movement.

Promotional Discrimination: Research consistently documents that female secretaries receive fewer promotion opportunities compared to male administrative professionals in equivalent positions. When advancement opportunities do emerge, female secretaries often find themselves competing against external male candidates regardless of their internal experience and demonstrated competence.

Executive Access Limitations: Career advancement often depends on visibility and mentorship from senior executives. Female secretaries sometimes face subtle barriers to this executive access due to organizational culture, social dynamics, or explicit restrictions. Male secretaries working with senior executives enjoy more natural mentorship and advancement support.

Education Credential Assumptions: Organizations sometimes incorrectly assume secretarial credentials (OND, HND, or professional secretarial certificates) represent terminal educational achievement rather than foundation credentials. When secretaries pursue advanced degrees or professional certifications, some organizations fail to recognize how these additional qualifications position professionals for advancement into management, human resources, or operations roles.

This advancement limitation directly impacts female secretaries’ long-term earning potential, job satisfaction, and professional fulfillment. It also represents a significant organizational loss, as many experienced secretaries possess the business knowledge, operational understanding, and administrative expertise that would qualify them for management positions.

Challenge 4: Gender Dynamics and Workplace Respect

Female secretaries navigate complex gender dynamics in workplace environments that male professionals rarely encounter. These dynamics affect professional respect, authority recognition, and career opportunities:

• Difficulty establishing authority when directing other administrative staff or coordinating organizational activities
• Assumptions that secretarial work represents “women’s work” rather than professional administration
• Expectations for emotional support and personal care that exceed professional scope
• Reduced likelihood of having professional input solicited in strategic meetings or planning discussions
• Gender-based interruptions or dismissals when expressing professional opinions
• Balance challenges between professional authority and social acceptability in workplace relationships

These dynamics create invisible workload burdens that male administrative professionals avoid, contributing to higher stress levels, reduced job satisfaction, and earlier career exit among female secretaries.

If you’re researching secretarial services, organizational management, or gender dynamics in workplace administration, PremiumResearchers can provide expert support in developing comprehensive project materials exploring these critical organizational challenges. Our team specializes in research across Nigerian institutions, providing detailed analysis of institutional practices within banking, telecommunications, and development sectors.

Technology’s Impact on Secretarial Services Demand: Transformation, Not Elimination

A common misconception holds that advancing office technology—computers, electronic filing systems, automated scheduling, artificial intelligence—would eliminate secretarial roles. This prediction fundamentally misunderstands how technology affects professional services. Rather than eliminating secretarial demand, technological advancement has transformed the nature of secretarial work while simultaneously creating new categories of administrative services.

Technology Reducing Routine Clerical Work

Contemporary technology has genuinely eliminated numerous clerical tasks that consumed significant secretarial time. Word processing software reduced typing and editing work. Email systems reduced physical correspondence handling. Digital filing and database systems reduced manual filing labor. Automated scheduling reduced calendar management complexity. Voice mail and modern telecommunications reduced message relay responsibilities.

This elimination of routine work could theoretically reduce secretarial demand. However, organizations have responded not by eliminating secretarial positions but by expanding the scope of secretarial responsibilities into areas that require human judgment, relationship building, and strategic thinking—tasks that technology cannot effectively perform.

Technology Creating New Secretarial Service Demands

Digital Information Architecture: As organizations accumulate exponentially more digital information, the need for professionals who understand information organization, retrieval, security, and lifecycle management has expanded dramatically. Secretaries now manage sophisticated databases, implement information governance protocols, and ensure digital records comply with regulatory requirements.

Multi-Channel Communication Coordination: Contemporary organizations operate through email, instant messaging, video conferencing, social media, and numerous other communication channels. Coordinating communication across these platforms, ensuring message consistency, managing information security, and maintaining communication protocols requires sophisticated professional support that extends beyond traditional secretarial scope.

Project and Workflow Management: Modern secretaries increasingly coordinate complex projects, manage workflow systems, track project milestones, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration. This represents a fundamental expansion of secretarial responsibility from supporting individual executives to supporting organizational processes and projects.

Data Support for Analytics and Decision Making: Organizations increasingly depend on data for decision making. Secretaries often gather, organize, and analyze data to support organizational reporting, performance monitoring, and strategic planning. This analytical support function did not exist in traditional secretarial roles.

Regulatory Compliance and Audit Support: Banking, telecommunications, and development organizations operate under complex regulatory frameworks. Secretarial professionals often coordinate compliance documentation, prepare audit materials, and ensure regulatory requirements receive appropriate organizational attention.

Rising Technology Competency Requirements for Secretarial Professionals

The transformation of secretarial services through technology has elevated required professional competencies. Contemporary secretaries must demonstrate:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based collaboration tools (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365)
• Database management and information architecture understanding
• Digital security awareness and information protection protocols
• Project management software and workflow management systems
• Statistical analysis and data visualization capabilities
• Advanced communication and presentation skills
• Understanding of organizational systems integration and process automation
• Cybersecurity and information governance awareness

These elevated competency requirements create both opportunities and challenges. Secretaries with advanced technological skills experience excellent career prospects, competitive compensation, and strong demand across sectors. However, secretaries without access to modern technical training face diminishing career opportunities and potential displacement by more technically proficient professionals.

This technological transformation creates an important equity issue: organizations that fail to invest in secretarial technology training effectively create a two-tier system where some secretaries advance into expanded roles while others stagnate in increasingly limited positions. Researchers analyzing organizational development and human resource management should carefully examine how their institutions support secretarial professional development in technology competencies.

Career Advancement and Professional Development: Creating Pathways for Secretarial Excellence

Addressing the challenges facing female secretaries requires systematic organizational commitment to professional development, career advancement pathways, and recognition of secretarial strategic value. Organizations that invest in secretarial excellence experience demonstrable competitive advantages in operational efficiency, customer service quality, and organizational culture.

Effective Professional Development Strategies for Secretarial Excellence

Structured Technology Training Programs: Organizations should provide comprehensive technology training that moves beyond basic software operation to include advanced capabilities, emerging tools, and digital security practices. This training should be documented, recognized, and credentialed so external employers understand employees’ technical capabilities.

Mentorship and Executive Exposure: Formal mentorship programs connecting secretaries with senior executives accelerate professional development while creating visibility for advancement opportunities. Exposure to strategic discussions, planning processes, and executive decision-making significantly enhances secretaries’ professional preparation and understanding.

Credential Recognition and Advancement Pathways: Organizations should clearly recognize secretarial credentials (OND, HND, professional secretarial certificates) as foundation qualifications that support advancement into management, human resources, or operations roles. Creating visible career pathways—secretarial assistant to secretary to office manager to administrative director—demonstrates organizational commitment to secretarial advancement.

Specialized Role Development: Rather than maintaining generic secretarial positions, organizations can develop specialized secretarial roles in finance, legal, human resources, or project management. These specialized positions offer deeper expertise, higher compensation, and stronger advancement prospects.

Cross-Functional Experience Opportunities: Rotating secretaries through experience in different departments or functions expands their organizational understanding while preventing stagnation in single roles. This cross-functional experience also identifies secretaries with broader management potential.

Professional Certification Support: Organizations should encourage and support secretaries pursuing advanced certifications from professional bodies. This might include Professional Secretaries International (PSI) credentials, project management certifications, or specialized qualifications aligned with organizational needs.

Organizational Recognition of Secretarial Strategic Value

Organizations that explicitly recognize secretarial strategic contributions create cultures where administrative excellence receives appropriate respect and compensation. This recognition can manifest through:

• Including secretarial contributions in organizational case studies and success documentation
• Inviting secretaries to participate in strategic planning and process improvement initiatives
• Providing secretaries with professional development opportunities comparable to other professional staff
• Creating compensation structures that reflect secretarial responsibilities and specialized expertise
• Establishing clear performance metrics that recognize secretarial contributions to organizational objectives
• Creating advancement opportunities that recognize secretarial potential for management roles

Organizations like Bank of the North, Union Bank of Nigerian Plc, and forward-thinking telecommunications and development companies that implement these recognition strategies experience higher secretarial retention, better operational performance, and stronger organizational cultures.

Research Implications: Understanding Secretarial Services for Institutional Excellence

Academic research exploring secretarial services, organizational management, and human resource development provides critical insights for institutional advancement. PremiumResearchers supports comprehensive research in these areas, helping students and professionals develop rigorous analyses of secretarial function, career barriers, and organizational optimization strategies.

Key Research Focus Areas in Secretarial Services

Organizational Efficiency Impact: Research examining how secretarial services quality directly impacts organizational operational efficiency, customer service delivery, and employee satisfaction provides essential data for institutional decision-making. Quantifying secretarial value through productivity metrics, cost analysis, and performance correlations helps organizations understand investment returns from secretarial excellence.

Gender Dynamics in Administrative Professions: Research exploring gender-specific challenges, advancement barriers, and workplace dynamics within secretarial services contributes to broader understanding of gender equity in professional environments. This research should document not only challenges but also organizational practices that successfully create equitable advancement opportunities.

Technology Integration and Professional Development: Studying how organizations successfully integrate technology while developing secretarial professional capabilities provides models for other institutions. Research should examine which technology training approaches prove most effective, how organizations maintain secretarial relevance as technology evolves, and how technology competency development supports career advancement.

Institutional Comparative Analysis: Comparing secretarial service models across different organizational types (banking, telecommunications, development, government) reveals best practices and identifies sector-specific challenges. Research examining Bank of the North, Union Bank of Nigerian Plc, Nitel, and development organizations provides insights into how different organizational contexts shape secretarial services demand and opportunity.

If you’re developing research exploring secretarial services, organizational management, career development, or gender dynamics in professional environments, PremiumResearchers can provide comprehensive support for your project. Our team specializes in organizational research across Nigerian institutions, providing research design expertise, methodology development, and literature review support that strengthens your research quality and academic impact.

How Quality Secretarial Services Impact Institutional Success

Organizations that prioritize secretarial service excellence realize multiple institutional benefits that extend far beyond administrative efficiency:

Operational Efficiency: Experienced secretaries who understand organizational processes, maintain sophisticated information systems, and coordinate complex workflows significantly enhance operational efficiency. Their contributions reduce errors, accelerate processes, and minimize miscommunication that disrupts organizational productivity.

Customer and Stakeholder Relationships: Secretaries often represent the organization’s first point of contact for external stakeholders. Professional secretaries who greet visitors respectfully, communicate clearly, and represent organizational standards positively influence external perceptions and relationship quality.

Information Quality and Security: In contemporary organizations where information represents valuable assets requiring protection, competent secretaries who understand information governance, implement security protocols, and maintain proper documentation systems protect organizational interests while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Executive Effectiveness: Executives supported by highly competent secretaries multiply their personal effectiveness. Secretaries who manage calendars, coordinate meetings, prepare materials, and handle administrative details free executives to focus on strategic decision-making rather than administrative details.

Organizational Culture: Organizations that respect secretarial contributions, invest in professional development, and create advancement opportunities develop stronger organizational cultures where all employees recognize that professional excellence receives recognition and reward regardless of professional category.

Institutional Stability: Secretarial positions often represent institutional knowledge repositories. Long-tenured secretaries understand organizational history, established processes, regulatory requirements, and relationship networks that newer employees require years to develop. Retaining experienced secretaries through career investment preserves critical institutional knowledge.

Strategic Recommendations for Optimizing Secretarial Services in Contemporary Organizations

Organizations seeking to optimize secretarial services and address identified challenges should implement comprehensive strategies addressing professional development, career advancement, technology integration, and cultural recognition:

Immediate Actions for Organizational Improvement

• Assess Current Secretarial Competencies and Development Needs: Organizations should evaluate current secretarial staff technology competencies, professional development access, and career advancement prospects. This assessment reveals specific institutional gaps requiring attention.
• Develop Technology Training Programs: Organizations should provide comprehensive technology training moving beyond basic software to include emerging tools, digital security, and advanced applications relevant to organizational needs.
• Create Visible Career Pathways: Organizations should document and communicate clear career advancement opportunities from secretarial positions to office management, human resources, operations, or other professional roles.
• Establish Mentorship Programs: Formal mentorship connecting experienced secretaries with junior staff while providing executive mentorship for high-potential secretaries accelerates professional development and identifies advancement candidates.
• Implement Compensation Review: Organizations should review secretarial compensation relative to comparable professional positions, ensuring compensation reflects responsibility scope and specialized expertise.
• Create Recognition Programs: Organizations should implement recognition programs acknowledging secretarial contributions to institutional success, including documentation in institutional case studies and success stories.

Long-Term Strategic Development

• Develop specialized secretarial roles aligned with organizational priorities (finance, legal, human resources, project management)
• Create professional development frameworks that connect secretarial experience to management preparation
• Establish partnerships with professional secretarial organizations and educational institutions providing continuing professional development
• Implement knowledge management systems that leverage secretarial expertise in information organization and process documentation
• Create succession planning strategies identifying high-potential secretaries for management development programs
• Develop metrics demonstrating secretarial impact on organizational efficiency, cost reduction, and performance improvement

Conclusion: Secretarial Services as Competitive Advantage in Modern Organizations

The demand for secretarial services reflects a fundamental organizational reality: as complexity increases, administrative coordination becomes more critical, not less. Female secretaries in contemporary

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of boss-secretary relationships on employee management and output in a sample of businesses in Owerri, Imo State. It is the secretary’s responsibility to ensure that her supervisor and every employee have positive relationships. The project’s overarching goal is to clarify the secretary’s and executive’s respective functions within an organisation for the general public. There were five sections to this work, plus some introductory pages and a certification appendix. In the first chapter, we covered the overall context of the work, the study’s goals, the problem statement, the study’s importance, and its scope. Issue for investigation. The beneficial impact of the boss-secretary dynamic was the subject of the literature study that took place in chapter two. The dysfunctional nature of the connection between the boss and secretary, possible solutions to this problem, the secretary’s and executive’s respective responsibilities, and so on. Chapter 3 outlined the sequential actions followed by the researcher, focussing on the following: the study’s basic design; the instrument used for the research; the study’s implementation; the validation of the instrument; the technique for collecting data; and the method for analysing the data.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study 

Being social has been a part of man’s nature since the beginning. Because he was too poor to live alone, God made him a helpmate. Interactions with other people and the natural world have been crucial to man’s survival and progress towards his goals ever since.

For his existence to have any purpose, he must form meaningful relationships with other people, communicate with them, and listen to what they have to say. The boss is no different; he needs a good rapport with his secretary if the company is to achieve its aims.

It is impossible to overstate the significance of the boss/secretary relationship in contemporary organisations when it comes to staff management and productivity. The two characters serve as the centre of gravity around which the business operates.

From the correct vantage point, the boss-secretary relationship can be viewed as a two-way street, connecting the two individuals in their shared pursuit of efficient staff management and higher output in service of the organization’s stated objectives.

The definition of a secretary given by Hanna, Pohem, and Tilton (1973) is someone who works as an assistant to an executive and has excellent command of office procedures and software, can work independently with little oversight, is proactive, uses good judgement, and takes decisions within her authority.

The secretary is an essential member of the team. The junior cadre of employees is organised, supervised, and controlled by her. The secretary’s role is to facilitate communication between management and those under them.

She keeps the lines of communication open between them. This is due to the fact that achieving objectives becomes more challenging when communication breaks down. In order for subordinates to know who to report to, it is necessary to notify them.

Because of this, it is incumbent upon the boss and secretary to maintain amicable working relationships in order to facilitate staff management and boost productivity. Denger (1980) argues that good staff management entails identifying the amount, types, qualifications, personal qualities, and responsibilities of the people needed, as well as making sure they do their jobs well and efficiently.

Of all the facets of management, managing people is the most challenging. Even with a well-thought-out plan, bad management of the project’s employees could cause it to fail miserably when put into action.

When there is mutual respect between the boss and secretary, it opens the door for open dialogue throughout the company. Therefore, the secretary is in a prime position to both inform the staff about the organization’s objectives and relay their sentiments and hopes to the CEO.

The secretary’s role is to maintain open lines of communication both up and down the company, which allows her to capitalise on the boss’s good rapport in order to boost productivity and efficiency in managing employees.

In contrast, the company will suffer in numerous ways if their relationship takes a sour turn. Such as, but not limited to, low productivity, unhappiness with one’s job, lack of inspiration, and ineffective administration of one’s personnel. The boss’s failure to recognise his secretary’s abilities will lead to her underutilisation of her skills and a lack of motivation to tackle new tasks and challenges.

In contrast, a manager who views his secretary as an equal would constantly include her in the accomplishment of organisational goals, which will inspire her to perform at her highest potential and increase productivity.

Having a secretary who aspired to work for a president was the finest thing that ever occurred to Winston (1985), according to his evaluations of the inspiration he gained from her. She went out of her way to assist him succeed, even if he wasn’t president yet. She made a huge difference to his efficiency, and he was successful.

The secretary’s motivation, engagement, and contribution to the organization’s growth are all positively impacted by a boss’s efforts to foster a meaningful working relationship with her. Under the work government, workers are more likely to be open and actively involved in their work, which in turn improves their performance and increases output.

Executives and secretaries have a cooperative relationship in the office, says Whitehead (1981). It is expected that both parties will contribute to the completion of the objectives as business partners.

A friendly, trusting, and empathetic relationship should underpin their connection. When a boss and secretary have a firm grasp of who they are, it improves their ability to manage their subordinates, which in turn boosts output and efficiency, according to research. However, ineffectiveness and decreased productivity will result from a lack of human relationships.

This serves as a driving force for his research since he is a prospective secretary and is aware of the implications of the boss/secretary relationship. According to Nwosu (1997), a strong and friendly relationship between a boss and secretary is the secret to a boss’s success.

Because of the unique nature of his position, which necessitates close cooperation between the boss and secretary as well as enhanced engagement with members of the public, business sector, and government.

As a result, the secretary is heavily tasked with maintaining harmony within the team with her boss. All aspects of the boss’s business life should be positively and profitably impacted by her.

Consequently, the connection between bosses and secretaries is the focus of this research. How it impacts the management of employees and their output.

1.2 The Statement of the Problem

The amount of cordial interaction between the boss and the secretary is closely related to the level of productivity and effective staff management. However, there has been a lack of importance given to programs and training that try to improve this relationship.

The boss and secretary both have extensive specialised training, but their strained relationship nevertheless has a negative impact on staff management and productivity. A lack of trust between a boss and secretary is the root cause of most workplace conflicts, according to recent research.

Office workers’ dissatisfaction and low productivity are believed to stem from the boss’s and secretary’s immoral connection, which in turn leads to poor staff management.

Staff management and organisational productivity are the focus of this research study, which examines the impact of the boss/secretary interaction.

1.3.3 The Purpose of the Study

Staff management and output are the foci of this investigation into the nature of the boss-secretary dynamic. This study set out to:

Determine the responsibilities of the secretary at a few different Owerri, Imo State, establishments. Examine the impact of management style on employee output. Find out how staff management and output are affected by a toxic boss/secretary dynamic.

Examine how a good rapport between a boss and secretary influences command and output from employees. Determine what has to be done to improve the interaction between bosses and secretaries in a few different establishments in Owerri, Imo State.

1.4 The Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to examine the environmental and non-environmental factors that influence the boss/secretary relationship and how it affects staff management and productivity.

Thus, ministries, parastatals, and business organisations could use this study to rethink their executive and secretary training and development programs in the future with an eye towards building and maintaining great relationships, which would raise morale and productivity.

In addition, this research would pave the way for educational institutions like Owerri’s Federal Polytechnic Nekede to better prepare future executives and secretaries, which in turn would improve the dynamics between the two roles. Because of how important this connection is for managing employees and getting things done.

On top of that, the boss/secretary relationship is an important management tool, and this research project would be a good starting point for further studies on the topic.

Executives and secretaries in the company would benefit from this study since it would reveal the nature and depth of their relationship, which in turn would help the company grow.

Those outside the environment, including students and persons looking for work in the future, will be able to boost their performance and resolve any conflicts between themselves as a result. As a result, the public’s perception of the boss-secretary dynamic will be improved.

1.5 Research Questions

In order to achieve the project’s objectives, this study will provide satisfactory responses to the following research questions that served as its framework.

In a few businesses in Owerri, Imo State, how does the dynamic between bosses and secretaries affect employee management and output?

How might a boss-secretary dynamic improve management of employees and output at a few businesses in Owerri, Imo State?

How can a few businesses in Owerri, Imo State, improve the dynamic between their secretaries and bosses?

At which of these Owerri, Imo State, establishments does the secretary’s job fall?

Could you please explain the functions of the executive at the following Imo State establishments?

1.6 The Scope Of The Study

There is no such thing as an infinite research budget, and this study is no different. To that end, researchers in Owerri, Imo State set out to examine the dynamics between secretaries and their bosses, as well as the impact this dynamic had on the management of employees and their output.

ABSTRACT

This study set out to identify the most important office skill abilities for secretaries to have in order to do their jobs well. From this, a hypothesis was generated. Forty practicing secretaries were randomly selected from four different workplaces in Enugu to serve as the sample for the study. The data was collected via questionnaires, and the total population for the study was 70. Simple percentages were utilised in the data analysis. Results demonstrate, among other things, that despite the rise in IT demand, all agencies still require secretaries with strong general office administrative skills. To be successful in this role, you need computer literacy, good judgement, strong communication skills, laser-like focus, document retrieval abilities, reliability, accuracy, and the capacity to operate under pressure. Additionally, it was suggested that secretaries seeking employment with environmental protection agencies should be competent in specific areas related to their office duties and should be able to apply what they’ve learnt to maximise productivity on the job.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study 

Everything in it Thanks to innovative office technology and new forms of communication, record keeping has undergone a sea change as a result of technological progress.

As a living embodiment of change, every man goes through a series of metamorphoses during his life cycle, the culmination of which is entering maturity and becoming a secretarial professional—as well as an indispensable associate of management.

One who is hired to manage routine and specific work for a superior, as well as someone who is entrusted with secrets or confidence by a superior, is known as a secretary.

The following definitions, provided by Orisananya (1991), suggest that a secretary is an experienced and specialised worker in an organisation or department responsible for handling people’s correspondence and other business-related tasks.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study

Secretaries and computer operators are often confused or neglected in many organisations, whether they are public or private sector. But in bygone days, secretaries could only take notes in their brains, type them up, and file them away.

Perhaps the expansion of secretarial responsibilities into areas traditionally handled by professional and managerial staff has resulted from the proliferation of office and company technology.

Nowadays, companies are looking for secretaries with expertise in areas such as capital markets, security legislation, and cooperative governance in addition to traditional clerical and administrative skills. In its current form, technology has permeated all facets of secretarial work, including document organisation, sorting, and storage.

The fundamental secretarial tasks of data collection, transport, processing, and transmission are amenable to computerisation, according to Aku (2004). As a result, the majority of the tasks once performed by the office professional secretary are now being done more efficiently and effectively through the use of computers.

Hill (2003), An executive or corporate official’s secretary handles incoming mail, takes and sorts messages, makes and returns phone calls, and performs other clerical tasks. If you want to know how good a professional secretary or computer operator is, you have to do the right checks and balances.

Wynel (2010) defines performance as an inventory of individual and team strengths and areas for improvement as it relates to the job. Therefore, evaluating an employee’s performance entails looking at how well they did in relation to the goals that were set.

Since an organization’s output is directly proportional to its performance, a secretary’s output can be seen by observing the duties completed and the level of specialisation in those responsibilities.

Typing documents and receiving and sending emails are temporary responsibilities of computer operators who have obtained a diploma or certificate in computer training. These tasks share certain parallels with secretaries, thus people often mistake them for one another.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 

One cannot overstate the significance of a secretary’s role in an organisation, given the delicate nature of the post. Actually, secretarial education benefits greatly from the accessibility of computers. For the most part, they feel its absence acutely.

Both the public and business sectors rely on them heavily.Educated at Nigeria’s universities and polytechnics, the vast majority of these secretaries have advanced degrees. Over the past few decades, polytechnics have played an increasingly important role in the education of secretaries.

Due to the specialised nature of secretarial studies, students typically work with unusual tools like word processors and computers. A graduate of secretarial studies is ill-equipped to confront the difficulties of the job and the automation of the workplace that has resulted from technological advancements because of their lack of experience with this specialised equipment.

In order to keep her work, a secretary must adapt to new technology as it becomes available. In order to prepare secretarial students for careers in contemporary workplaces, the secretarial department at Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro is required to provide in-depth instruction on several modern machines, such as accounting, dictation, duplicating, and word processors.

Secretarial students will benefit greatly from these tools since they will help them learn how to manipulate a wide variety of office equipment, which is an essential skill for any job.

This department risks losing credibility if it does not have the necessary equipment to adequately train secretaries, which is one of the factors typically considered by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) when accrediting tertiary institutions to offer secretarial administration courses.

The reality is that most universities and colleges today have such a weak financial foundation that they struggle to cover the expenses of providing students with the necessary learning tools.

Without a doubt, this will cause students in this department to graduate lacking in operational expertise with these pieces of equipment, which will reflect poorly on both the student and the school from which the student graduated. Similarly, Nolen (1964) noted that schools do not have the necessary resources when he stated:

Many educational institutions still do not have the necessary office equipment, even though many new and improved models have hit the market in recent years. In order for training to be effective, equipment must be adequately and properly maintained. For example, a key punch machine can be taught to operate.

Instead of just reading about the machines in a textbook, it would be more beneficial to let the pupils actually use them. Projects may be sponsored to raise funds or students could be taken to company homes to get familiar with appliances, so schools shouldn’t let a lack of funds prevent them from providing necessary equipment.

Due to insufficient training of secretarial students on the actual equipment, the lack of available acceptable equipment inhibits both secretarial services and the generation of skilled secretaries, who lack the necessary manipulative skills.

1.2 The Statement Of The Problem

Some believe that secretaries’ roles will also evolve in response to the rapid pace of technology development in today’s corporate world. The secretaries could benefit or suffer with technological progress. The evolution of secretarial technology is influencing both the nature of secretarial work and the skillsets needed to do it.

To be able to operate some pieces of office equipment is now a need, if not an absolute must, for many employers. Graduates of secretarial programs often struggle to get work due to their general lack of proficiency with office machinery.

There is a serious issue with the training at the Secretarial Department of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, and Isoko North Local Government Council due to the lack of sufficient and modern equipment. Students are ill-prepared for their programs because they have no opportunity to handle the equipment they need.

Additionally, the absence of contemporary machinery in the office results in low production. Graduates of this program (administrative or secretarial studies) often lack the skills necessary to operate office machinery, which has a negative impact on secretarial services.

Nonetheless, the underlying impact of outdated technology on students’ academic achievement, employment prospects, and office productivity is what this project aims to investigate.

1.3 The Purpose Of The Study

The purpose of this project is to look into the effects of underpowered computers on secretarial studies students’ and employees’ performance at Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, and the Isoko North Local Government Council, as well as possible solutions to these problems.

Practitioners, students, and prospective students of secretarial administration would all benefit from knowing how technology advancements have affected secretarial performance, and this study would help to accomplish just that.

The following factors were identified and evaluated throughout the course of this research as potentially contributing to the issue of insufficient equipment:

See whether there is any missing equipment that might improve secretarial functions in the department.

Specifically, we want to know how much of an impact inadequate equipment has on learners’ and employees’ productivity.

In order to find out how much of an effort the government, the institution, and the department put into making sure students have enough equipment for training.

14. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Similar to other important studies, this one will help colleges and universities in Delta State determine if their secretarial programs are adequate for the kinds of organisations that students are expected to work for as part of their degree requirements.

The findings of this study will inform the department and school authorities about the latest technology tools utilised in offices, allowing them to seek their acquisition in areas where they are lacking.

In order to effectively execute secretarial services, it will also improve the link that now exists between the school and the employers of labour. Lastly, it will be significant because, if given enough resources, student secretaries will be well-versed in the latest and greatest equipment.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 

The primary goal of equipping universities with sufficient computers and current equipment is to produce competent secretaries who are well-suited to their positions and who can confidently handle the technological demands of today’s offices.

Thus, the research will centre on how much student secretaries’ performance is impacted by the lack of proper equipment in the secretarial department. Consequently, we would answer the following questions:

Is there a dearth of equipment that might improve secretarial duties in the department?

Does the lack of suitable equipment impact the academic achievement of students?

In order to ensure that students have access to sufficient computers and current training equipment, how does the government interact with the department, the tertiary institution, and the students?

1.6 Limitations of the Study  

Isoko North Local Government Council and Delta State Polytechnic in Ozoro will be the only subjects of this study because of the following circumstances that the researcher encountered:

Time is not on the side of the researchers since there is not a lot of time to finish and submit this study.
Money: The researcher is having trouble covering the costs of the investigation because of the current state of the Nigerian economy.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The following locations in Delta State are particularly relevant to this project’s scope:

In Ozoro, at Delta State Polytechnic. Municipal Council of Isoko North

1.8 Definition of Terms 

These are some of the more common terms used in this study, with their definitions provided in the way the author hopes the reader would understand them:

The office serves as the hub of any organisation. There, administrative tasks are completed. Someone could be filling that role. The office, according to Neuner and Keeling, is “the focal point for correlating the services and profit making activities of a business enterprise.”.

Business offices rely on a variety of pieces of equipment to carry out daily tasks and other administrative tasks more efficiently.Variously referred to as “office appliances,” “office machines,” and “labour saving devices,” this category encompasses all of the tools and gadgets utilised in an office setting.

Secretarial training is an academic program that prepares students for the theoretical and practical components of their chosen field of study by exposing them to the workplace environments in which they will likely work upon graduation.

Any device that can receive, store, and execute a set of instructions in a predictable and preset form is considered a computer. According to this definition, a computer is a device whose instructions can be modified, as well as the data upon which those instructions are based.The output is referred to as information when it is utilised for decision-making. Text storage and reproduction are its primary tasks.

The term “word processor” refers to a specific set of computing devices that include both software and hardware components. The two primary uses for a word processor are data storage and retrieval.

Consequently, it is useful for text or document editing. With its built-in dictionary, which comes in different sizes, it will point out any mistake in a word that is in the dictionary. It can print several copies of a document simultaneously.

There is a wide variety of dictation machines available. Their operation could be powered by batteries or electricity. Their processes should be well-known to the secretary.

There are dictation machines with remote controls and automatic transmission capabilities, as well as desk-tape or central system devices, and portable cassettes for travellers.

Making copies of written, printed, or drawn items is the job of a duplicating machine. Machines that can reproduce an image from a master, be it paper or metal, are known as replicators.

Therefore, it is essential that all secretaries and administrative assistants be proficient in using the equipment to make copies from the master document.

The spirit process, the offset litho process, and the stencil process are among the many methods of duplication.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Office work as we know it now has its roots in the administrative tasks that have been done by cultures ever since written language emerged. There has been documentation of business transactions, written and spoken communication, storage and retrieval of information, computations, and judgements.

The introduction of modern technologies altered their execution. Paper links and portable typewriters were two of several mechanical and electrical innovations that had an effect.

The invention of the photocopier and the typewriter revolutionised written communication, while the first computers for businesses revolutionised the processing of specific types of high-volume transactions.

Typing remained a labour-intensive task until the introduction of mechanical typewriters and, subsequently, word processors; yet, these technologies did not significantly change the labour-intensive nature of office activities or increase productivity.

Communication is now incredibly easy and quick because to the incredible array of electronic technology found in most companies. This includes fax machines, mobile phones, and all sorts of innovative telecommunication methods. Traditional job functions are becoming obsolete as a result of the dizzying rate at which technology is advancing.

There are a lot of ways in which the work is less challenging. If the boss changes his mind about a word, the word processor makes it easy to make the necessary modifications without wasting time retyping letters and papers.

Instead of relying on the unpredictable mail system, it is much more efficient to send a fax or electronic communication across the globe and have it arrive instantly.

A variety of secretaries need to be proficient with computers, knowing how they work and how to maximise their potential for productivity and work satisfaction in order to keep up with the ever-evolving technological landscape.

In the last 20 years, due to the effects of technology development on the workplace, the secretary’s responsibilities have grown substantially.

A secretary in the modern day must be tech-savvy to keep up with the ever-evolving demands of the electronic office. Modern secretaries perform more than ever before, play a vital part in the success of their companies, and enjoy high status as a result.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

It became clear to the researcher that unless current secretarial education keeps pace with future demands, the office work and efficiency profession will continue to dwindle as a source of well-known and relevant experts for the workforce.

Put simply, the secretary will not be able to do her job well unless she is aware of the following developments in Nigeria’s rapidly developing technology landscape: Uncertainty about outcomes, obstacles to entry, health issues, personal situations, or discontent with one’s work environment can all lead to decreased productivity.

The first step in fixing poor performance is finding out where it came from. Options, resources, and performance are all affected by the following common elements.

Offices, schools, and other types of workplaces should prioritise providing high-quality ventilation and air for the comfort and health of their employees. Symptoms such as headaches, difficulty focussing, and irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, nose, and throat have been associated with air pollution and inadequate ventilation.

Ventilation and air quality are also impacted by numerous other things. A lack of outside air, or inadequate ventilation, is one of these causes. Factors influencing the quality of the incoming air include issues with temperature management, excessive or low humidity, recent renovations, and other nearby activity.

Indoor air quality can be compromised due to the presence of certain contaminants, such as dust from renovations or construction, mould, cleaning supplies, pesticides, or other airborne compounds discharged (even in trace amounts as gas).

Moreover, “productive of desired effects, especially: productive without waste can efficient worker)” is how the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it. Both financial and qualitative performance can take a hit when employees or businesses struggle with efficiency. Using quality control methods to raise knowledge of which primary areas contain the weakest connections is the most common way to tackle efficiency issues.

Poor time management is the root cause of many efficiency difficulties. Bankruptcy is another possible outcome of inefficient cash flow management. When businesses lose their financial buffers due to unforeseen costs or don’t have enough money to grow or recruit top talent, problems arise.

At last, difficulties in obtaining employment for individuals lacking education or training. Unskilled workers do produce some benefits, nevertheless, in addition to the more apparent drawbacks.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

In particular, this will use the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Abuja as a case study to examine the impact of IT on the secretarial profession and its efficiency.

Drawing attention to recent innovations in the field of communication systems. Knowing how these IT developments will influence the organisation of a company in terms of profitability and productivity.

In order to ascertain the level of expertise and understanding among the personnel regarding the utilisation of IT resources. Further, we need to learn what obstacles the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology faces when trying to put data to use. Lastly, we need to find out how automated the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is.

1.4 Research Questions

What impact has IT had on the secretarial profession in terms of efficiency?

2. What are the obstacles that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology faces when trying to implement IT?

For the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, how does IT contribute to its mission?

To what degree has the federal ministry of science and technology made use of information technology?

1.5 The significance Of The Study

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has taken the initiative to guarantee that government organisations’ office operations run efficiently, which is why this project is important. Another important takeaway from the study is the light it sheds on employers who should be doing more than just their desk jobs need.

The study’s relevance to the training of modern secretaries lies in the fact that it explains why, in order to compete in the job market, educational institutions must expose their students to new technologies.

Upon graduating. Another goal is to inspire those who work in offices to be braver and more committed to their work. Lastly, the goal is to encourage enrolment in the office work course due to the high potential earnings.

1.6 The Scope of the Study

The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology Abuja serves as a case study for this research effort, which examines the impact of information technology on secretarial efficiency.

CHAPTER TWO

2.0     LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 What is technological information?

According to Roger (2005), information technology encompasses the practices and tools used in the creation, upkeep, and utilisation of computer systems, software, and networks for the purpose of processing and distributing data, as well as their retrieval, analysis, and communication.

According to French (2006), IT is the set of tools that facilitates tasks including data production, storage, processing, and transmission. Computers, telecommunications, and semiconducting are the three most distinctive features of information technology, according to Kobayshi (2009) in Akprowho (2011:88).

The term “information technology” was first used to describe a wide range of devices that electronically store, transmit, process, and interpret data. The term “information technology” encompasses a wide range of systems and technologies that process data in many forms, including text, images, and voices.

It also includes things like modern control systems, computer networks, telecommunications networks, audio and video systems, and international telecommunications networks.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the Study 

Typing, writing, and transcribing shorthand were the original functions of secretaries. These days, though, it goes well beyond that; with the aid of manual technological equipment, it performs tasks like sorting and retrieving information, passing on information, and so on.

Helping an executive out as a secretary requires someone with excellent organisational skills, the capacity to work independently, good judgement, and the ability to make decisions within their authority.

In addition to doing a variety of administrative tasks, the secretary often acts as an organization’s representative when making decisions. The aforementioned issues with ICT have sparked debates on the role of the secretary in this field.

Information communication technology, sometimes abbreviated to “I.C.T.,” was initially used extensively in 1981 to define systems and equipment being implemented in the public and commercial sectors for the purposes of information creation, storage, and distribution.

One defining characteristic of contemporary technology is its capacity to process various forms of data. Interconnecting different kinds of equipment has become popular as a means to better control and unify their activities.

To better understand how computers interpret information, the present definition of “ICT” rests on this foundation. Information and communication technology, or ICT, is the backbone of information systems, commonly known as computers

which help businesses improve their planning, organisation, and bottom line through the use of lightning-fast, pinpoint-accurate, and incredibly versatile devices. Office efficiency, according to experts, is crucial to a company’s health since it influences productivity.

1.1 Statement Of The Problem

Specifically, we want to take a look at the challenges and opportunities that contemporary secretaries encounter in the realm of information communication. Here are the specific goals:

i. To analyse how the secretary’s function has evolved in the data age.

ii) To investigate the challenges and dangers posed by ICT to secretarial work.

iii) To bring attention to the difficulties that a secretary faces as a result of the rise of ICT.

1.3 Research Questions

1. One, in this age of ubiquitous computing, what exactly is a secretary?

2. Consider the secretary’s job function in light of the pros and cons of information and communication technology.

3. How does an information and communication technology secretary face challenges and what are their opportunities in this modern era?

4. How does the secretary in today’s world face challenges from information and communication technology?

5. In what ways has the rise of ICT impacted secretarial work?

1.4 Delimitations of the Study

“The Changing Roles of the Secretary in an ICT Era” is the subject of this work, which focusses solely on First Bank, Oceanic Bank, and Intercontinental Bank Plc.

1.5 The Limitations of the Study

Because of other academic pursuits, a lack of time, sufficient funds, and suitable textbooks all played a role in the completion of this project.

1.6 The significance Of The Study

The significance of the study has risen from the researcher’s realization of the problem facing a secretary in the information communication technology at first bank, oceanic and interconnected bank plc Kaura Namoda branch, Zamfara State the researcher also realized the prospects of a secretary in the information communication technology.

This research work will be valuable assets to government policy makers on privatization and contributing to the successful up-lifting of secretaries in information communication technology.

1.7 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1.7.1 First Bank of Nigeria Plc

Sometime in 1891 it become apparent that banking facilities were urgently required in West Africa and especially in Lagos. Elder Dempster and Co. were approached in 1892, the Bank of British West Africa was announced but it was a little more than a department of elder Dempster and Co. housed in its offices and managed by its agents.

To reflect the majority shareholding and the fact that it was the “pioneer” bank in the country, First Bank of Nigeria assumed its present name in 1977 under the umbrella of that first bank of Kaura Namoda was brought into existence in the year 1970 to meet the growing need of the people.

The Kaura chapter was established as a result of growing trade and farm product like groundnut, beans and cotton, so as to safeguard the money of traders from robbers and to encourage low income earners to save as civilization increased, the bank began expanding with different kind of services render to customers as modern banking system.

Prior to the establishment of first bank in Kaura Namoda some of the indigenes who have careless attitude towards banking operation was revived and thus most of them developed some interest in the banking activities.

The bank is currently one of the best in the community and does not intend to rest on past glories and to cope with contemporary and future challenges. Their activities.

– Accepting deposit

– Granting of loan

1.7.2 Oceanic Bank International Plc Kaura Namoda

The bank was formerly known as International Trust Bank. The bank was established here in Kaura Namoda on the 6th of February 2006. presently, there are 20 staff in the bank. It is situated at Sahabi Liman House 1004 flats Kaura Namoda. Oceanic Bank International Plc is one of the branch out of the 134 branches over the country.

Oceanic Bank was incorporated on March 26, 1990 as a private limited liability company with 100% equity ownership by Nigerians citizens and licensed on April 10, 1990 to carry on commercial banking.

Oceanic Bank International Plc is therefore a sixteen years old commercial bank with business offices located in several parts of Nigeria, the bank is one of the largest in Nigeria, her financial year runs from October 1 to September 30 of the subsequent year.

Oceanic banks impressive performance over the years accounts for the quality of its customers port folio which includes corporate organizations, high network individuals, the federal government and some state governments, to enhance response, time relationship management units.

Staff in each sector have profound knowledge of the various industries and are therefore able to respond to customers peculiar needs.

1.7.3 Intercontinental Bank Plc Kaura Namoda

It began operation in Nigeria as a merchant bank in 1989, it has progressed through the Nigeria economy and became a commercial bank in 1999 with the acquisition of other three banks.

Intercontinental became a universal bank in 2000, one of the very version of the bank is to become the number one financial institution in Nigeria and Africa.

In is event to achieve this, expansion is inevitable, hence intercontinental bank Kaura Namoda considering the commercial and academic nature of Kaura Namoda.

It began operation with a total of 25 staffs which comprises of both officer and support staff. The branch has risen from zero (0) customer to about 2,850 customers, which enjoy various products of the branch today these product ranges from

– Saving account

– Intercontinental premium saving account (IPSA)

– Current account

– Salary account

– Happy save for children

1.8 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS

Secretary – Secretary is some one who has a sound general education and has passed through a prescribed programme of training in the field of secretarial training with appropriate skills.

Information – This is a facts or details about something

Communication Communication is the process of passing information from one person to another

Technology This is the use of mechanical art and applied science to get information and disseminated the information.

Word processor is application package that cvan be used to create, prepare, store and produce or store document such as letters, memo, invitation cards, minutes, formal and informal documents for private or commercial usage.

Prospect Possibility that something which you have farm will happen soon

Problems A thing that is difficult to deal with or to understand.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to catalogue the skills that secretaries at First Bank Nigeria Plc. in Enugu are expected to possess. The research team at First Bank Nigeria Plc in Enugu created and distributed questionnaires to secretaries and their supervisors. The research analysis revealed that secretaries need to possess the following competencies: good judgement, tact, resourcefulness, excellent communication skills, and organisational abilities. Modern technology positively affects the competency requirement of competitive secretaries and managers, according to the study. Researchers also discovered that secretaries boost productivity and efficiency in the workplace. A list of suggestions was compiled: Regular training programs and seminars should be provided to secretaries, particularly in areas where necessary knowledge is lacking. It is important to constantly evaluate their performance to ensure they are maintaining the requisite level of competence.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study 

The secretaries’ contributions to the smooth running of the office are crucial. It is well recognised that their occupations are essential for efficiently carrying out their responsibilities in the office. Even though the secretary’s role is crucial, she is nonetheless viewed as an assistant to the CEO.

The fact that secretaries execute a wide variety of duties, many of which are essential to any organisation, becomes clear when we consider the many ways in which writers have characterised the role.

Originating from the Latin term “Secretarius,” which means “something known only to one or few and kept secret or hidden from the views or knowledge of others,” the English word “secretary” evolved from the same meaning.

A secretary is defined as “an employee in an office who deals with correspondence, keeps records, makes arrangements and appointments for a particular member of staff or other organisations” in the Advance Learners Dictionary of Current English.

A person with strong understanding of secretarial responsibilities and the ability to combine or master typewriting and shorthand is what we call her. Stanwell et al. (1979) states that a secretary is an employee whose primary responsibility is to assist with planning and organisation.

Performing standard secretarial activities of a confidential nature at different levels, including the presentation and transmission of all relevant messages.

“A secretary is an executive assistant who possess a mastery of office skills,” said section 273 (1) of the business and Allied Matters Act of 1990.
A competent secretary needs strong stenographic skills, an intuitive grasp of the regulations, and an outgoing personality developed through experience and education (Copeland, L., 1980). Secretary: “the window in the organisation,” as Mr. Aniche G.C. (1990) so eloquently put it.

The modern secretary is described by Hanna et al. (1974) in Secretarial Procedures and Administration as an executive assistant with a mastery of skills, the ability to take responsibility independently, and the capacity to make decisions within the scope of assignments.

A secretary is an executive assistant who has excellent communication and organisational skills, can work independently with little oversight, uses their own initiative and discretion, and makes decisions within their authority, according to the National Secretaries Association of the United States.

The important thing to know, though, is how exactly the secretary aids the executive. Both the individual and the organisation play a role in determining the correct response to this question.

The secretary is seen by the employer as an essential assistant who is highly competent in office tasks, capable of working independently, shows initiative and good judgement, and takes decisions within her authority.

This is Eni (91987). Additionally, she is the connecting thread in the company’s PR strategy. According to Duru (1991), the secretary serves as an essential liaison between the organisation and the general public.

It is imperative that the secretary keeps a cordial relationship with the general people because her demeanour could affect an entire industry. The secretary is responsible for ensuring the office runs smoothly and efficiently in any business setting, including industry, government, science, radio, and television, among many other fields.

A good secretary is intelligent, adaptable, and driven. On a national Concord, on December 27, 1991. The author argues that in order to be an effective secretary, one must possess qualities such as emotional stability, social flexibility, and sound judgement. Not only does she play an important role in coordinating diverse activities, but she also provides a multi-disciplinary function. A. Eni, 1996.

The secretary must have good judgement and be able to make the appropriate decisions even when her boss isn’t around, since she acts as a go-between for the organisation and the public and for her employer and the rest of the workforce. This may be the most important factor in determining the secretary’s skill.

To be competent in one’s job is to be able to carry out one’s duties to the level expected of one. It represents the capacity to apply one’s knowledge and abilities to different contexts within one’s field of work.

It includes dealing with non-routine tasks, coming up with new ideas, and planning and organising one’s work. The ability to interact effectively with one’s coworkers, supervisors, and clients is a part of this. With reference to Sheila (1990).

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The competency of a secretary is often evaluated based on vague references. Like the secretary’s job, these references for competence rely on both the individual and the organisation.

Some people evaluate secretaries primarily on their typing and shorthand abilities when deciding how competent they are. Some people focus on how quickly these tasks are completed, while others place more emphasis on the secretary’s character traits such reliability, punctuality, tact, discretion, mannerisms, organisation abilities, and dress style.

Nonetheless, contemporary secretaries are increasingly being referred to as executive secretaries and seen as integral members of management teams. As a result, this trend also changes how people view the secretary’s competency judgement.

Maybe this is what prompted Whitehead (1977) to state that having the personal traits of a good secretary, such as being punctual, discreet, and tactful, is not enough, nor is having all the secretarial abilities that executives require. In order to be an asset to management, the secretary must become an expert in company policy and his boss’s work.

Another important factor in determining a secretary’s competency is her familiarity with the boss’s work, as well as her proficiency with machine operation (e.g., computers), bookkeeping, and accounting.

The question now is, which secretary is capable? Who can we say is capable? What does it take to be an effective secretary? This is the question the researcher plans to critically examine so that she may provide useful suggestions for the secretarial profession to grow.

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

Discovering what makes a good secretary is the driving force for this study. From a strategic standpoint, this research aims to examine and maybe pinpoint the essence and significant issues surrounding the idea and implementation of secretarial competence, which has severely hindered the management of the majority of businesses. The researcher will thus investigate the competency of the designated secretaries.

1.4 Research Questions

These questions will serve as a road map for the researcher as they work to complete the study project.

1. What are the most important characteristics, abilities, and talents for secretaries to have in order to execute their jobs well?

2. How do these qualities and abilities mature across time?

3. Who or what are the obstacles to learning and improving these abilities?

4. What steps may be taken to eliminate these factors and acquire competence?

5. How may the efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation be affected by a qualified secretary?

1.5 The significance Of The Study

An investigation of this nature will, without a shadow of a doubt, provide useful and substantial results. To begin, it will be useful in determining what a secretary has to know in order to do all of her jobs well in today’s ever-changing environment.

The second benefit is that it will be easier to determine what kind of education and experience a secretary needs- Thirdly, it will help in identifying the elements that support competent secretarial work and those that hinder it, allowing for the appropriate acquisition of knowledge and abilities. Last but not least, the management literature will benefit from this study’s conclusions.

1.6 SCOPE/DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

If every single first bank in Nigeria is required to participate in this investigation, its breadth will undoubtedly be expansive. Because there just aren’t enough man-hours or funds to cover the entire country, the scope of the investigation is constrained.

Because this is limited to Enugu State, the results may not be generalisable to the entire nation. While this research may not be representative of First Bank nationwide, the results from Enugu State may be generalisable to the rest of Nigeria.

1.7 Definition of Terms

The following definitions apply to the terminology used in this research:

Competency is defined as the capacity to do a job well by virtue of having the necessary information, abilities, and knowledge. It is a level of competence and proficiency indicated by a letter grade.

A secretary is someone who works in an office, typically under the supervision of another person, and whose duties include answering phones, typing documents, keeping records, and scheduling meetings and other office activities.

A secretary is an executive assistant with exceptional organisational abilities, the capacity to work independently, sound judgement, and the ability to make decisions within their area of responsibility.

producing, purchasing, selling, or supplying goods and services for the purpose of producing or receiving money is known as business. Any task with the end goal of generating a profit is considered a business, as opposed to a leisure activity.

To establish anything means to build it up from the ground up in a solid and unmovable way. Also, it’s a group of influential people who sustain the status quo by influencing or controlling policies, ideas, tastes, etc.

An organisation is simply a collection of individuals who have come together to work towards a common objective.

If you’ve put in the time and effort to become proficient at anything, you should be able to execute it with ease and ease. To be proficient means to be well-versed.

Proficiency is what gives competence its dimension. Its literal meaning is the catalyst for achievement. The degree to which a person has attained specific sets of competencies is reflected in this metric.

ABSTRACT

Any disclosure, whether intentional or unintentional, of sensitive information is considered a leakage of that information. A record, on the other hand, is a written document that serves to preserve evidence or information and provides an official account of what has happened. Now that we know what the crucial phrases signify, we can see that exposure of official records is at the heart of sensitive information leaks. In light of the above, we identify the following as potential causes and repercussions of confidential information leaks: the possibility that official records may be disclosed to the public or the wrong hands, resulting in the degradation of the information contained therein. And the publication of sensitive company information could have disastrous consequences for a company’s operations, leading to the downfall of the enterprise as a whole due to fraud and imitative practices. Consequently, we should investigate our company organisations to identify the person or people responsible for this disturbing tendency.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Background of the Study 

If certain criteria are followed, the voyage of a document, as stated by Njoku (2005), might be described as easy, even though it is not.

Businesses and legal firms have yet to find a solution to the problem of secret information leaks and the damage they do. However, for some effective organisations, the problem areas are the vents and channels via which these problems become disorganised. This is because unauthorised individuals gain access to sensitive data or files.

Things that are of utmost importance to businesses and their officials are considered confidential. Additionally, they may include the more personal details of office operations, which are really the backbone of any company. Additionally, it is crucial that it remain out of the public eye due to its significance.

When sensitive information is leaked, it means that someone who shouldn’t have access to it has learnt about it or gained access to it without authorisation. The organisation would suffer tremendous harm in the event of a data breach due to improper management. This is according to Ihekwoaba (2005).

Businesses can be publicly or privately held and are groups of people who have come together to engage in commercial activities with the goal of producing a profit. Since “maxim” dictates that “business is secret,” it stands to reason that the organization’s most sensitive matters, including official ones, should remain hidden.

I will do my best to elaborate on a few of the many causes and impacts that have been identified as a result of secret information leaks. Keep sensitive information out of the hands of everyone in the company.

This is because they play a significant role in the decisions and activities taken by management. Those with access to sensitive information are the ones responsible for its release.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Public and private sector businesses alike have long worried about the possibility of, and response to, data breaches. The realisation that those crucial pieces of the organization’s puzzle fall into disarray among some of the directors and managers is shocking to them.

Managers, secretaries, clerks, typists, and other lower-level employees are sometimes held accountable for the dissemination of sensitive company information.

The people responsible for this crime have been very tenacious in coming up with new ways to get their hands on official matters. The overarching goal of this research is to identify the most effective means of preventing the leak of sensitive government information.

1.3 The Purpose Of The Study

Determining the origins and impacts of private information leaks in corporate organisations was the primary goal of this study. The study’s specific goals are to

Find out what official secrets are.

Determine which employees are liable for the leaks.

Locate the formal secret-keeping entities within corporate entities

Find out what happens when companies’ secret information gets out.

Assess methods for managing and safeguarding sensitive data.

Suggest solutions

1.4 The Objectives of the Study

In order to define “official secret,”

1. How can we find out where corporate-secret information comes from?

2. In order to establish what kinds of sensitive data should be kept under wraps?

3. When it comes to finding out who is to blame for the disclosure of sensitive data?

4. In order to ascertain the repercussions of data breaches in corporate entities?

5. In order to find solutions?

1.5 Research Questions 

Could you please explain what an official secret is?

In corporate settings, how can you trace the origins of confidential information?

What are some ways to control and protect sensitive information?

When sensitive information is leaked, who is to blame?

In the corporate world, what happens when sensitive information gets out?

How can this be fixed?

1.6 The significance Of The Study

Due to the importance of this task, it is necessary to highlight the consequences that businesses face when sensitive information is leaked. Organisations have invested vast amounts of resources (money) throughout the years in the vain goal of safeguarding strategically essential data.

Efforts have been undertaken to educate employees, secure data at repose, and stop outsiders from selling into organisations. The majority of leaks, say analysts, occur when internal and external partners and workers inadvertently disclose sensitive information. According to the pneumonic institution, the average cost to an organisation for information leakage is around N182 per record.

Organisations, their market presence, and their competitive advantages can be severely impacted by the high cost of a breach, which can lead to customer loss, damage to the brand and reputation, and a general decline in performance.

There are a lot of security-related factors to think about as organisations spend millions on business systems, boosting the availability of information to gain or keep a competitive advantage in that area.

1.7 The Scope of the Study

The reasons and consequences of private information leaks in corporate organisations are the only focus of this research. Three different companies in Owerri, Imo State, were the focus of the research. Among these groups are NITEL, the Nigerian Bottling Company (coca-cola), and the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

1.8 The Limitations of the Study

This study’s execution revealed several unit actions that operate as limiting forces, such as the ones listed below.

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money to pay for most of the interview and observation costs.

Some of the company’s executives and secretaries have restrictions that make them hesitant to provide information openly.

The research work was also badly impacted by the lack of time.

ABSTRACT

Examining a sample of students at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Owerri, this research looks at the Office Technology and Management major and the new problems secretaries face in the IT age. A total of 35 students from the Office Technology and Management department, spanning various levels, were the intended participants in the study. To keep sampling bias at bay, the sample study followed the same protocol. This study used questionnaires as its instrument and was structured around four research questions. Based on the study’s mean scores, it’s clear that students majoring in office technology and management need to work hard to adapt to the modern IT landscape and stay up with the rapid advancements in the field. The results showed that students and professionals in the fields of office technology and management face many obstacles in the information technology innovation era, which is changing and adding occupations. As a result, they should adapt to work in IT offices. It was suggested that the Office Technology and Management curriculum include the use of IT equipment to increase students’ familiarity with these tools and to recruit qualified instructors to teach them.