Abstract

A number of studies have x-rayed the potentials and impetus for development resultant from a full scale adoption of ICT in Africa in general and in Nigeria in particular. The fact that current challenges relating to infrastructure, cyber crime and government policies can slow down the benefits accruable from a virile ICT growth has also been highlighted. However, research also needs to really address possible areas of developmental benefit of ICT to rural target groups such as farmers, extension officers, health workers and social workers. At the initial stage, ICT4D1.0 promoted Internet-enabled activities that resulted in globalization, educational, technological, economic and political advantages. The second phase- ICT4D2.0 is geared towards applying ICT much more creatively and pragmatically to development problems beyond the internet-enabled PC telecenters of ICT4D1.0.

This discourse explores possible alignment of ICT4D2.0 goals to ICT development in Nigeria . We posited that in Nigeria , the digital divide that ICTD1.0 sets to bridge is still very evident at the grassroots level. Our opinion is that adding computing and Internet functionality to technologies that already penetrate the grassroots such as mobiles phones, radios and televisions will enhance ICT4D2.0 goals in Nigeria . This will in turn increase productivity among this target group with attendant contribution to national development.

Keywords: ICT, Nigeria , Development, Convergence, Africa , Globalization and Internet.

1. Introduction

Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) is a general term referring to the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the field of socio-economic development. ICT4D is geographically unspecific, and as such concerns itself directly with overcoming the barriers of the Digital Divide.

The field, now gaining the status of being interdisciplinary can be validated by the number of conferences, workshops and publications in the field [1] -[3] . Such research has been motivated by the need for empirical results, which can be used to measure the impact of ICT4D initiatives. ICT is recognized by government, organizations, individuals and even criminals as a tool that can be used for varying degrees of achievements. ICT4D can therefore be applied either in an indirect sense, where the ICTs assist aid organizations or non-governmental organizations or governments in order to improve socio-economic conditions or in the direct sense, where their use directly benefits the disadvantaged population in some manner. The former was more of the focus of ICT4D1.0 while ICT4D2.0 is expected to achieve the laudable goals of pragmatic and penetrative development at all levels. Unfortunately, government bureaucracy, lack of basic infrastructure, legislative and other political bottlenecks have hampered the rate of growth and penetration of ICT and its attendant development potentials in most developing countries.

On the one hand, developing countries present problems that are as diverse as the cultures they encompass, and the issues fully emerge only with direct interaction with the target communities. On the other hand, many of the issues are recurring, and they often are just minor variations of challenges encountered in the developed world [4] . Developers have identified the root of several ICT4D failures as stemming from their techno centric approach, dominated by an informatics view of the world. Such projects are frequently analogous with the old medical joke, “The operation was a success but unfortunately the patient died.” They deliver a system that works technically but that fails to make a developmental contribution. To move away from the inadequacies of ICT4D1.0, then, we must have new, broader worldviews guiding ICT4D2.0 projects. These broader worldviews will likely come from two main disciplinary candidates: information systems (IS) and development studies [5] -[8] . Increasing availability and access to ICT is very important if ICT4D2.0 is to make any meaningful contribution in Nigeria .

1.1 Development of ICT in Nigeria

The first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiative in Nigeria started in the 1950s with focus on print and electronic media. No major policy or other outcome was achieved because of strict government control. The full awareness of the importance of ICTs was absent. Only the private sector demonstrated ICT initiatives. The Federal Government of Nigeria has come to recognize the import of information technology as a major key to economic growth and sustainability. That culminated in a workshop on ICT policy in Abuja in March 2000 which brought together major ICT stakeholders such as the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), IT Association of Nigeria (ITAN), the Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN) and other major stakeholders in the public and the private sector. These days, many conferences and workshops are held at different venues in Nigeria to discuss the diffusion, penetration and growth of ICT in the nation.

With the collaboration of several committees, the ICT policy was produced and approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2001 and has the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as its implementing body [8] ,[10] . According to its vision statement, the policy is aimed at making Nigeria an IT capable country in Africa and a key player in the Information society by using ICT as the engine for sustainable development and global competitiveness. The mission statement centres on using ICT for education, creation of wealth, poverty eradication, job creation, and global competitiveness. Unfortunately, there are no specifics about diffusion into the rural areas and was over-sighted by the policy formulators.

1.2 Challenges Facing ICT Diffusion and Adoption in Nigeria

Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) deal with the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in development programs in underdeveloped countries. Although some value-added ICT4D projects have been meticulously conceived and focused on some target groups, little has been realized in terms of achievements from these projects. The major challenges facing the adoption of ICT in Nigeria include:

(a)    Absence of adequate communication network infrastructure

(b)    Relatively high cost of ICT products that is not affordable to the large low-income portion of Nigerians

(c)    Relatively low level of support from the rank and file of people in government

(d)    Problems associated with technical and management support for Internet connectivity

(e)    Monopolistic tendencies among service providers and operators coupled with problems of interoperability

(f)     Lack of quality control over importation of ICT tools and equipment into the country

(g)    Lack of foreign investors’ interest in doing business as a result of lack of basic infrastructure [11]

(h)    The challenges of sustainable wired and wireless networks

(i)      Cost of connectivity

(j)      Security issues and fraud

(k)    Political instability/policy inconsistencies and government bureaucracies.

(l)      Lack of effective coordination and other regulatory issues

(m)  High running and subscription costs

(n)    Lack of good publicity and incentives to attract potential users

(o)    Identification of information sources that meet the needs of users

(p)    Poor quality of service of the Internet and telecommunication services

(q)    Effective management of network traffic and infrastructure

2. Related Literature

   Several authors have discussed the level of Internet and ICT penetration in Nigeria as very low, resulting from high cost of bandwidth, exorbitant prices for computer acquisition, and unreliable power supply [1] ,[5] ,[10] ,[12] -[14] . A casual investigation of the Nigerian ICT terrain reveals that wireless network will grow faster than wired network. This fact is supported by the rapid increase in mobile telephone subscribers in recent years. Online banking and electronic commerce are also enjoying increases in embracement with the proliferation of ATM machines in notable and accessible points in different metropolis. This has however not come without the attendant problems of irregular and inconsistent services to customers, network problem and the issue of cyber crime [7] ,[15] -[17] .

     Firm-level variables such as financial capacity and technological absorptive capacity influenced the intensity of the adoption of ICTs thereby suggesting that globalisation of the Nigerian economy also influenced the adoption of new technologies. Closing these gaps – locally, nationally and globally - requires creative pro-people policies that focus on national priorities – on areas that will have the greatest positive impact on development. One major problems facing the development ICT for national development in Africa is the brain drain. Not finding the enabling environment has driven some of the best brains from the continent abroad in search of greener pastures. The result is a deficiency in the availability of engineers and scientists knowledgeable in r undertaking ICT-related project. There is also the challenge of the non involvement and imbalance of gender and other target groups in policy formulation [26]. Another major obstacle is the unavailability of a sound ICT-roadmap and strategies by policy makers resulting in uncoordinated and unsustainable ICT-development activities [14] ,[18] ,[19] .

2.1 Correlating ICT with Socio-Economic Development

One the benefits of the ICT revolution is the opportunity now open to Nigerian businesses to access a wider global market through e-­commerce. As e-commerce opens up the Nigerian market to foreign enterprises, the relatively affluent Nigerian consumer with access to the Internet is given much greater choice with regard to desired products and services. Contrary to the situation in advanced countries where transport and communications systems for delivery of goods and services are very established, this basic infrastructure is practically non-existent in some parts of Nigeria . Where they are available, they are generally slow and expensive [25]. The communications and information delivery capability of ICT products and related services serves all sectors of society. Other sectors such as education, health, social policy, commerce, government, banks, trading, communications, science and technology have all benefited.

Available resources relating to different aspects of usage and application are interlinked and can be accessed. In most cases, these links also direct users to other source of relevant information on the subject of choice. There is no gainsaying that there is direct correlation between ICT and economic development.  ICT networks opens up opportunities that enable participation across the globe in a seamless and most versatile way. This is because, the platform provided by ICT removes some of the  impediments to collaboration such as the need to travel abroad to meet with collaborators physically, the waiting period to get mails across to partners and the need to harmonize ideas from different part of the world which was greatly affected by time differences in the pre-ICT days.

Nigeria ’s economic growth (even down to the grassroots) is today enhanced by the availability of ICTs that make immediate interaction with contacts possible, provide smooth access to support services and make access to customers a reality. The availability of the Global System for Mobile (GSM), Asynchronous Teller machines (ATM), satellite TV networks, electronic commerce, electronic or internet banking, IPods, Iphones etc  for seamless financial,  commercial, trading and scientific activities is helping to also improve the effectiveness of the development of communities and enabling international agencies, and non-governmental organization to disseminate information, provide services and work with citizens of the nation with attendant economic and social benefits [29].

There is also a re-awakening among Nigerian universities to develop curricula that are ICT-driven so as to contribute directly to economic growth and development using collaborative efforts enabled by network connections and the Free Open-Source Software (FOSS) paradigm [20] ,[21] . Unfortunately, some target groups are still at the tail end of the benefits accruable from ICT4D– the poor and un-reached in the rural areas. Although GSM systems and networks have penetrated into these spheres, they only serve the rudimentary purposes of calls and where possible, short message services (SMS).

2.2 Information Poverty and its Implications

    At grass root levels, information poverty remains a potent limitation to the effective exploitation of ICT4D in Nigeria . Although ICT penetration is on the increase, the spread is still very far behind the average world standard in rural Nigeria . These regions are   dominated by non-mechanised farming activities, cattle rearing and other forms of peasant trading. There is lack of adequate information regarding new methods and skills applicable in the advanced countries. This lack of awareness compels them to stick to obsolete procedures thereby rendering them unproductive.

Therefore, information poverty, financial poverty, lack of understanding of new methods and techniques and misconceptions about the costs and long term benefits of network connectivity have sometimes resulted in lack of enthusiasm and outright delay or denial of investment in ICT infrastructure which is sometimes considered very expensive relative to other needs [11] .

3. Aligning ICT Development in Nigeria with ICT4D2.0 Goals

    During ICT4D1.0’s debut, developers rapidly recognized that plugging a peasant farmer or slum-dweller into Google offered limited value. Much of the information they required would not emerge because it was not in digital format. A series of projects, such as Open Knowledge Network, sought to create relevant local data content focused on livelihood-appropriate issues such as health, education, agriculture, and rights. Once media technologies like radio and television were incorporated into ICT4D, developers recognized that its non-interactive and broad-scale nature presented a lack of specific data relevance. For these technologies, the phase change to ICT4D2.0 has been associated with community radio- a much localized broadcasting that allows community input. Community television is not yet a realistic prospect, but its equivalent, participatory video, provides for the creation of video content by the local community, presented at individual screenings for community groups [8] .

     Although access figures are hard to come by, about 80 percent of the population in developing countries are said to have access to a radio and about 50 percent to a television. Early in ICT4D’s history, these statistics prompted the redefinition of ICT to include radio and television, and pre-empted the importance of convergence and the roles these legacy technologies will play in ICT4D2.0. In consonance with Rohhan [27], there is a need to critically focus some attention on the technologies that already penetrate the grassroots such as mobile phones, radios and televisions. Technocrats, policy makers and developers must now seek ways to add computing and Internet functionality to these tools so as to make them relevant for ICT4D2.  This must be the quest in the developing world such as Nigeria where convergence will definitely play a role in aligning with ICT4D2.0 [4] ,[6] .

     New ICT-related tools can make institutions and markets more productive, enhance skills and learning, improve governance at all levels, and make it easier for the poor to access services and make their voices heard. Beyond the Internet, which seems to have greater acceptance and penetration in big cities, Nigeria must exploit cheaper technologies already in use to deliver sufficient ICT functionality to make a difference. Instead of waiting for handset and bandwidth upgrades to allow mobile Internet access across the developing world, we must seek to leverage existing ICT components for development through phone calls, SMS and the use of legacy or older technologies [28]. Interface innovation that can drive access to ICT-based information, services, education, instructions and jobs for all local languages must be devised. Investors must be encouraged and motivated to tap into these opportunities that will be of mutual benefit to them and the country at large.

   At the rural level, techniques must be inculcated into already existing tools that can boost crop yield, advice on fertilizer application, improve well-drilling, teach mothers how to better care for infants and give health specialists current information to effectively coordinate and halt the spread of diseases, provide information on weather forecast and news of current development applicable to dairy and cattle rearing/production. Citizens can learn about how to open a company online, instead of waiting in long lines at government offices, saving time and money for everyone involved [22] . Patients can be reminded of the need to take their medications from local health centres with SMS or text message and nursing mothers can be given awareness for vaccinations through text messages.

4. Concluding Remarks

   The solution strategy towards bridging the digital divide demands an aggressive human capacity building in ICT through training, brainstorming among technocrats, the government, seminars and workshops in collaboration with experts from home and abroad. Convergence of already existing neo-ICT tools and medium such as radio and television in addition to penetrable modern ICT tools such as mobiles phones will also assist in realizing ICT4D2.0 goals. Borrowing from the experiences of other African countries and the advanced nations, bodies set up for the implementation of ICT4D2.0 goals in Nigeria must be strengthened and research and development must be demand-driven focusing on the provision of products to meet local needs.

    There is also the need to deviate from techno centricity in adult ICT literacy classes. We must begin to see ICT and computer literacy in terms of placing in the hand of learners an all-encompassing ICT tool and knowledge that will equip them with the ability not only to operate computers, but also to use any computing and allied facilities. Those who teach adults computer technology should approach it with a great deal of pedagogical responsibility. It is important that educators involved in using computers for instruction or as a subject of instruction be cognizant of the computer as more than “just a tool.” It is a cultural artefact with meaning, a meaning deeper and richer than the computer's mere physical presence [30]. To align with the ICT4D2.0 goals stakeholders must do the following:

(a)    Educate the government on the need to formulate policies that will aid the use of ICT tools for enlightenment programs that among rural dwellers on issues that directly affect their welfare such as farming, health, productivity and social awareness.

(b)    Network operators should provide incentives for users and other agencies that enable better and   more pragmatic usage of their infrastructure to aid in ICT diffusion in the rural areas.

(c)    User-friendly features and instruction to aid the slow learners must be inculcated into ICT imported into our nation.

(d)    Incentives such as reduction in calls tariff and Internet access through phones should be directed at the grassroots.

(e)    Teachers of technology should go beyond the usual “text” of instruction manuals and online help menus, and explore and explicate a fuller meaning and understanding of computer literacy involving practical demonstration of cutting edge ICT technology and theory applications [24] .

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge with appreciation the funding support of the University of Ibadan MacArthur Foundation Grant towards the success of this research.

REFERENCES

[1]     UN-ESCWA (2005): UNITED Nation’s Partnership on Measuring ICT for development. UN-ESCWA Report on Core ICT Indicators, Beirut , 2005

[2]     “University ICT4D”. UICT4D.ORG, University of Washington (2007).

[3]     “SPIDER” (2008): Swedish Programme for ICT in Developing Regions, KTH (2007).

[4]     Kentayo, M. and Bernadi, D. (2008): Information and Telecommunication technology for Development. IEEE Position paper.

[5]     Longe. O.B., Onifade, O.F., Chiemeke , S.C. , and Longe, F.A. (2007): User Acceptance of Web-Marketing in Nigeria : Significance of Factors. Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Business & Economics. Piraeus , Greece , October, 2007. Available online at www.icabeconference.org

[6]     Longe, O.B., and Chiemeke , S.C. (2007): Information and Communication Technology Penetration in Nigeria – Prospects, Challenges and Metrics. Asian Journal of Information Technology Vol. 6, No. 3 pp280-287.

[7]     Longe, O.B., and Chiemeke , S.C. (2007): Sifting Paradigm in the Antispam Effort – SPAMAng A Domain Specific Outbound Filtering for Dealing with Nigerian Fraudulent Mails – Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology. Available online at www.ncs.org.ng

[8]     Heeks, R. (2008): ICT4D 2.0: The Next Phase of Applying ICT for International Development. Informatics Department at the University of Manchester , UK .

[9]     Ahiakwo, C.O. (2002): The Role of Internet Connectivity in Nigeria . Available online at http://www.isocnig.org.ng/conferencpaper/paper17.htm

[10]   Ajayi, G.O. (2002): Challenges facing the Nigerian Telecoms Industry. Address delivered at Nigeria Telecoms Summit, Abuja , May 2, 2002.

[11]   Datta, P. and Mbarika, V. (2006). A Comparative Global Investigation of Causal Relationships between Information Infrastructure and Service Sector Productivity. The Information Society, Vol. 22, No3, pp.149-163.

[12]   Anao, A.R. (2002): Positioning Nigeria for Effective Response to the Challenges of Emerging Technologies and Globalisation Vanguard December 4th 2002 http://www.globalpolicy.org/globaliz/econ/2002/1240ictafrica.htm

[13]   Nwankwo, J. (2006): Compulife. The Guardian, Wednesday, July 19, 2006 pp.33.

[14]   Olatokun, W.M. (2007): Availability, Accessibility and Use of ICT among Nigerian Women Academics in Nigeria . Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science Vol. 12, No. 2. http://www.ejum.org

[15]   Longe, O.B., and Chiemeke , S.C. (2008): Mediated Cyber-Crime: An Investigation into the Role of Internet Access Points in the Facilitation of Cyber Crime in South Western Nigeria European Journal Of Social Sciences Volume 6, Number 3 pp. 466-472

[16]   Omolola, A. (2005): Cyber-fraud leads to Blockage of Nigeria’s Internet protocol Addresses. Lagos : The Punch Newspaper, Wednesday, January 4, 2005.

[17]   Smith, R.G., Holmes, M.N., and Kaufmann, P. (1999): Nigerian Advance Fee Fraud., Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 121, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra (republished in The Reformer February 2000, pp. 17-19). Available online at http://www.aic.gov.au

[18]   Joseph, I., Philip, F., and Shiloh, O. (2003): Use of ICT for Education, Research and Development in Ghana: Challenges, Opportunities and Potentials 2003 Round Table on Developing Countries Access to Scientific Knowledge, The Abdus Salam ICTP, Trieste, Italy

[19]   Okyere, P.F.; Intsiful, J.D.K., Osae, S., Allotey, F.A., and Andam, K. (2003): “Project Proposal: Establishment of an African Institute of Science and Technology in Ghana ”. ICTP, Trieste , Italy

[20]   Longe, O.B., Uwadia, O., and Omoruyi, I. (2004): The Economic and Legal Implications of the Open-Source Software Alternative. Paper presented at the 19^th National Conference of the Nigerian Computer Society, Abuja , Nigeria .

[21]   Longe, O.B., Chiemeke , S.C. , Onifade, O.F.W., Aliga, P.A., and Longe, F.A.(2008): Acceptance of the Open-Source Software Development Paradigm Among Undergraduates. – Perspectives from Nigeria . Paper presented at the Free Open Source Software IDLEO Conference. Dakar , Senegal March, 2008.

[22]   McNamara, K.S. (2003). “Information and Communication Technologies, Poverty and Development: Learning from Experience”. World Bank, Washington D.C. , USA .

[23]   http://www.dgfoundation.org/issues/ict-for-development.html, 2008

[24]   Longe, O.B., and Otti V.U. (2007): Technophobia and its Impact on Adults Learning to Use Computers in South Western Nigeria . Journal of Information Technology Impact, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 81-90, 2007. Available online at http://www.jiti.net

[25]   Gidado, M. (1999): Internet as Instrument to Spring Nigeria Into The New Millennium- http://Www.Isocnig.Org.Ng/Papers.Htm

[26]   Opoku, R. A. (2004): Ghana and ICT: Strides, Challenges and the way forward. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=54098. Feature Article of Thursday, 18 March 2004.

[27]   Rohan, S. (2009): More radios than TVs and phones? http://lirneasia.net/2009/05/more-radios-than-tvs-and-phones/

[28]   Babar Bhatti (2009); More Phones than Radios in Pakistan . Consumer Rights, Digital Divide, Emerging Markets Telecom, Mobile Phones, Research, Telecommunications. Published on July 6, 2009 at http://telecompk.net/2009/07/06/

[29]   George S. (2009): The Internet Society and Developing Countries. http://www.isoc.org/oti/articles/1196/sadowsky.html

[30]   Dale C. and Charles D. (1993); Computer Literacy at a Distance. DEOSNEWS Vol. 3 No. 9. http://www.ed.psu.edu/acsde/deos/deosnews3_9.asp