The state ICT in Nigeria
My blog titled “ICT that can solve Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges” is the introduction of a series of articles on How ICT development can solve Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. The working definition of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is from Webopedia which defined Information and Communications Technology as the study and/or business of developing and using technology to process information and aid communications. It also examined how ICT is driving the knowledge economy in the world. In order to explore the ICT opportunities in Nigeria that can diversify its economy from oil to knowledge based economy, there is the need to examine the state of ICT in Nigeria. This is the main aim of this article.
ICT Companies in Nigeria
There are many ICT companies in Nigeria that supply, service and maintain hardware equipment, although 100% of the hardware is imported. Companies like Omatek and Zinox assemble their own brands. These companies have provided the basic personal computer and laptops, i-pads (and so on) of different brands in Nigeria. Some are brand new while others are still the secondhand market.
Presently, there are many ICT companies in Nigeria providing services like consulting, training, repairs and maintenance, bureau services, software development and implementation and website development.
Telecommunications
Currently, there are companies that provide Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) services in Nigeria; some are MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Etisalat, Visaphone and Starcomm. The developments in telecommunications since the advent of GSM technology has led to tremendous growth not only in the telecom sector but created massive employment generation through telecom enabled services in facets of society – highlighting the linkage between ICT and social and economic development and how ICT enables growth in non-ICT sectors. Also, there are licensed fixed wireless operators in Nigeria providing GSM, CDMA, VSAT (Very Small Aperture Satellite), telephony, Internet, data and fixed wireless services at national and regional levels.
Internet penetration is still low although significant improvements have been recorded on daily bases. There are three submarine fiber-optic cable networks that will improve the broadband: the SAT-3 submarine fiber-optic cable network, Glo-1 and Main One.
ICT enabled Applications
Currently in Nigeria, the development in the telecommunication sector have improved internet connectivity and impacted on nearly every sector of the economy- manufacturing, services, commerce, banking, social and education. There is a significant reduction in cost for internet, education, communication, online information gathering and research, e-learning, online transactions and e-banking and Nigerian are deriving significant benefits from them.
Software
Software is the main driver o what is today known as the knowledge economy and it is very important that Nigeria participates fully in this area. In Nigeria, all System software like operating systems, network software, development tools and packaged applications (word processing and spreadsheets) are imported. Although this is nearly the trend all over the world where most System software and packaged applications in use are produced by industry leaders like Oracle, Microsoft, etc
There is also foreign application software like Peachtree, SAP, Globus, Equinox, Rubicon (and so on) that are being used in different sectors of the economy. Most of them are good, but lack local contents and are quite expensive. There are also some locally developed application software such as accounting, legal, banking (mainly at micro-banking level), human resources, payroll, and games and so on. As at today many business are not computerized (not up to 10%). Thus, there is enormous opportunities for the local software industry exist in the specialized application development markets – producing software for various sectors and fields such as accounting, legal, banking, financial services, personnel, payroll, information management, games, etc. However, the local software industry faces the challenge of patronage and growth.
Currently, Open Source Software (OSS) is a good alternative to improve the application of software to business but its local growth and market share is very small. There is the need for Nigeria to develop and grow the Open Source Software because it provides cheap software with source codes that can be updated with local contents. This development can lead to a whole diversification of the Nigeria economy.
In the area of website development, lack of local content and development is a major concern. It can be said that only 5% of our local content is in the web. This has not improved with the availability of telecommunication infrastructure. There is the need to increase the local content and improve activities in the web as a way of encouraging e-business and Net-Entrepreneurs. There is the need for Nigeria to reduce the consumption of foreign software and imported ICT products and services, however, this is only possible is there is a local alternative.
ICT in Rural Areas
Much of the ICT investment, efforts, activities and infrastructures are concentrated in the urban areas basically for commercial reasons. Therefore, there is a great digital divide between the urban and rural areas of Nigeria. This is a great business opportunity for ICT in Nigeria. Although some organizations like NITDA, NCC, FGN and others are making efforts to deploy IT and Internet facilities in rural schools and communities throughout the country.
ICT Education
There are many institutions providing all kinds of ICT education and training. These include private training institutes, polytechnics, universities, etc. Some of them offer certification programme and some are established and accredited by government to provide some approved certificates like OND, HND, NCE, BSC and so on. Others are just providing computer literacy programmes. All these forms of institution are necessary for they have a role to play in the development and application of ICT to diversify Nigerian economy.
For Nigeria to diversify its economy through ICT, it must have an educational programs/system that will produce the professionals with expertise in high demand areas such as Programming, Technical Support, Engineering, Database, Information Warehousing, Networking, Web Development, Research, Internet and E-Commerce. Since ICT is the infrastructure of the Knowledge economy, such skilled professionals are needed to create, operate, design, maintain, program and deploy information and communication technology solutions.
Hardware and software development and research, will provided by graduates of computer science and engineering from the universities. Since a huge number of our populations are illiterates in computer, there is the need to improve the level of computer literacy to encourage usage and application. This service will be provided by the training institutes that are offering computer literacy courses.
From above, there is a need to improve ICT facilities in our primary and secondary schools as well as our tertiary institutions. If Nigeria is to diversify its economy using ICT, everybody including government at all levels, parents, private and public organization must continue to assist our education system to improve in ICT usage and applications. Finally, teachers should be encouraged to start using ICT in teaching the students.
Information security
The increase in computer and internet literacy, applications of web-based systems , e-payments and application to society (like social networking) has brought about threats and attacks that have led to a lot of unethical issues , cybercrime, misuse and fraud. Technically, efforts are being made to enhance cyber-security. Efforts should be made to improve our legal system. It has become extremely necessary for us to incorporate cybercrime into our legal system. Time has come for our legal system to start accepting digital information as evidences in a case and so on.
Thank you very much.
Augustus ZEKARYAH
Telephone: +234-803-951-0725,
E-mail: augustus@firstplus.ng
About the author
Augustus is a management, banking and business computing professional with over 20 years of documented success in the field. Augustus is recognized for the application of software to solving business problems, Software Project Management, Enterprise Architecture Strategy, and Delivery of learning solutions with focus on adaptability, Development and execution of business plans, General management and administration, Operations management and Best practice development. Augustus founded and manages FirstPlus Integrated Business Solutions (http://firstplus.ng) as a Software and Business Consulting outfit that specializes in Software development and integration, E-Learning development, Business and Marketing Planning, Consulting and training. Augustus brings to his work a high level of energy, passion, commitment and humour. He is married with children.
Other articles published by the author in this series at http://firstplus.ng that may be of interest are.
- ICT opportunities in Nigeria
- Technologies that can diversify Nigerian’s economy
- ICT that can solve Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges
- How ICT development can solve Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges
As you read them drop a comment because your feedback is very important to us. It will help us to improve. Regards…
