Impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:

Impact of Information and

Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:

 

Ojie Moses Okim

 

 

 

 

Abstract

 

The

main constraints to the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in

Northern Nigeria are identified, argued and related to the setting up of a

common computerized system based on the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS)

report which places mostly northern states at the bottom of the list with

exception of Kogi. Examples of existing technologies are given to provide

guidelines as to how technology can successfully be used in Northern Nigeria

despite these constraints. It is concluded that staff training, international

operation and socio-political attitudes are the priority areas the region

should consider. New technology can be successfully introduced and become

useful only if there is the political will and the stakeholders are fully loyal

to the plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Introduction

The

use of new technology for the collection, storage and dissemination of information

is deeply touching all aspects of information shifts in the developed world.

This technology is essentially based on progress in two interconnected fields.

First, the developments in microprocessor technology that brought about huge

scale reductions in the physical magnitude of computers, gadgets, whilst at the

same time they have also amplified their reliability and speed by several

orders of size. Ingle and Hamilton (2010) noted that mass assembly of chips has

triggered dramatic downing in cost, resulting in a clear enhancement in the

processing capability available for unit cost. Concurrently, developing large

capacity, random access storage gadgets means that the stand-alone capabilities

of such microprocessors machines can be quite significant. Cloud computing

technology now shows potential of more storage capacity.

 

Nevertheless,

there have also been notable boom in telecommunications, making possibilities of

reliable, efficient, high-speed transport of data around the globe. El-hadidy

(1983) said that the mishmash of these technologies has created the innovative

concept of tele-matics, the foundation of the contemporary information and

communications technology. With the aid of tele-matics, literature searching

has been transformed from a somewhat tedious and daunting task involving

sorting catalogues and/or printed indexes, to a stimulating, interactive

process using networked/online connections to remote databases, often located

in servers hundreds or even thousands miles afar.

 

An inborn

hazard of the information and communications technology is that the information

gap connecting the industrialized south and northern parts of Nigeria may

become even greater. This technology has been greatly deployed in response to

the demands of large organizations in the South. How can such technology be tailored

to be of use in the North, where cultures are so dissimilar, even basic

economic infrastructures are often lacking, and where the labor force usually not

have the educational advantages of workers in the South?

 

ICT

Constraints in the North

There

are a number of grave constraints to the use of technology in the northern

Nigeria as in developing countries. These factors have been neatly

recapitulated in a paper by Beth Krevitt Eres (1981). Table 1, brought from

Eres’ article lists the problems involved. In this research, I endeavor to provide

few guidelines showing how some, a nip, of these problems can safely be tackled

to the crucial benefit of the North.

 

               

 

General Factors

Conditions in Developing Countries

1.

Economic

Labour intensive society.

Low availability of

capital.

Inability to absorb

recurring costs.

Expense of international

activities.

Lack of internal

competition.

Problems with foreign

exchange regulations.

2.

Manpower

Shortage of available

trained manpower.

Low prestige of

information professionals.

Difficult in recruiting

specialists.

Lack of continuing

education.

3.

Physio-Ecological

Limited resources.

Geographic isolation.

4.

Cultural/Demographic