Impact of Information and
Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:
Ojie Moses Okim
Department of ICT
Cross River State University, Cross
River
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
MOSES, O. (2018). Impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:. Afribary. Retrieved from https://track.afribary.com/works/impact-of-information-and-communications-technology-ict-in-northern-nigeria-6834
MOSES, OJIE "Impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:" Afribary. Afribary, 29 Jan. 2018, https://track.afribary.com/works/impact-of-information-and-communications-technology-ict-in-northern-nigeria-6834. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.
MOSES, OJIE . "Impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:". Afribary, Afribary, 29 Jan. 2018. Web. 20 Nov. 2024. < https://track.afribary.com/works/impact-of-information-and-communications-technology-ict-in-northern-nigeria-6834 >.
MOSES, OJIE . "Impact of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria:" Afribary (2018). Accessed November 20, 2024. https://track.afribary.com/works/impact-of-information-and-communications-technology-ict-in-northern-nigeria-6834