Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancements...

Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy:Trends, Issues and Advancements

Esharenana E. AdomiDelta State University, Nigeria

Hershey • New YorkInformatIon scIence reference

Volume II

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Handbook of research on information communication technology policy : trends, issues and advancements / Esharenana E. Adomi, editor. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: "This book is a source book on information communication technology policies for those involved in ICT policy formulation, implementation, adoption, monitoring, evaluation and application"--Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-61520-847-0 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-1-61520-848-7 (ebook) 1. Information technology--Government policy--Developing countries--Case studies. 2. Telecommunication policy--Developing countries--Case studies. I. Adomi, Esharenana E. HC59.72.I55H33 2010 303.48'33091724--dc22

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All work contributed to this book is new, previously-unpublished material. The views expressed in this book are those of the authors, but not necessarily of the publisher.

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Copyright © 2011, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.

Chapter 47

The Nigerian National Information Technology

(IT) PolicyTega Rexwhite Enakrire

Delta State University, Nigeria

IntroductIon

For the past two decades, there has been tremen-dous increase in the use of information technolo-gies (IT). The world continues to face changes that are brought about by use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Developing countries, and especially those in Africa (like Nigeria), which are often referred to as latecom-ers in the world of ICTs have been affected by technological changes. These multidimensional changes (technical, financial and economic, cul-tural, social and geo-political) have impacted upon almost all aspects of life: economic, education,

communications, leisure and travels (Thioune, 2003; cited by Toale, 2003)

It should however be noted that after sinking massive resources into ICT, many countries are still not benefiting. To many ICT is a “paper tiger” – it is not having the desired effect on poverty reduction and wealth creation. Globally, the contradictions are even deeper. The great paradox is that with the amazing growth in computing and telecommunica-tions – wireless technologies, mobile telephony, web services - the digital divide is still widening between the digital “haves” and the digital “have-nots”. While the digital are getting more digital, the analogue are getting more analogue. There is so much evidence of poverty globally in the midst

AbstrAct

This chapter reviews the Nigerian Information Technology Policy which was approved in 2001. It x-rays the objectives of the policy, the sectoral applications, and the implementation strategies o the policy. A performance review of the policy was also done. The chapter concludes by requesting the government to ensure strict implementation of its national ICT policy in order to achieve the set objectives.

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-847-0.ch047

735

The Nigerian National Information Technology (IT) Policy

of such technology development and innovation. Poverty, lack of leadership and commitment and the weird global structure result in unevenness in the exploitation and deployment of technologies (Awe, n.d.).

Closing these gaps – locally, nationally and globally – requires creative pro-people policies that focus on national priorities – on areas which will have the greatest positive impact on develop-ment. Therefore most countries (like Nigeria) have developed national ICT policies in recognition of the enormous potential of ICT. To avoid being left behind, several nations develop such ICT policies addressing several core issues for keying into the benefits of an ICT–driven world. The aim is to be a creator, a producer and not a consumer or mere passenger. It is usually a proactive indication of the seriousness government attaches to the role of ICT in society. A national ICT policy can therefore be seen as an attempt to develop a pro-people ICT road map of the country. Lack of a coherent and comprehensive policy often leads to redundancy, waste of resources, ineffective ICT diffusion and development and an inability to tap into global opportunities (Awe, n.d.)

This chapter describes the Nigerian IT Policy by highlighting the objectives the policy, sectoral applications, implementation strategies, perfor-mance review of the policy, policy review as well as its future trends.

bAckground

Information technology (IT) is a term which en-compasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presenta-tions, and other forms, including those not yet conceived). It is a convenient term for including both telephony and computer technology in the same word. It is the technology which is driv-ing what has often been called “the information

revolution” (Data Center, 2005). Information technology (IT) is a force that has changed many aspects of our lives. the impact of ICT across the past two or three decades has been enormous in fields like medicine, tourism, travel, business, law, banking, engineering and architecture,. The way these fields operate today is vastly different from the ways they operated in the past decades (Soloway & Pior, 1996; Collis, 2002).

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to a broad spectrum of technolo-gies that allows users to get, produce, ad share ideas and resources. It is any technology, which enables communication and the electronic cap-ture, processing and transmission of information (Parliament Office of Science and Technology, 2006) ICTs have become very important to con-temporary societies. Whether one is talking on the phone, sending an e-mail, going to the bank, using a library, listening to sports coverage on the radio, watching the news on television, working in an office or in the field, etc, one is using ICTs. (Adomi & Igun, 2008) In this chapter, IT and ICTs are used interchangeably.

A policy is a set of principles and strategies which guide a course of action for the achieve-ment of a given goal. Policies may be developed at the organizational or institutional level or at the regional, national or international level and are embodied in a variety of policy instruments (legal, professional and cultural) (Anderson,1979).To this end, Montviloff, (1990) Organizations have mission statements from which strategic plans are developed. Policy concretizes, gives guidance and assures consistency with the achievement of strategic plans. Policy is the foundation upon which operations are built. Policies are intended to regulate the conduct of people in systems, but policies themselves are often conditioned by the socio-cultural dynamics of the usually put in place by various governments. However, different stakeholders and in particular, the private sector make inputs into the policy process and affect its outcomes (APC, n.d.).

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IT policy is an official statement that spells out the objectives, goals, principles, strategies, etc intended to guide and regulate the develop-ment, operation and application of information and communication technology (Adomi & Igun, 2008). Introducing policies and strategies aims principally to assist countries to deploy, harness and exploit ICTs for socioeconomic development at the local, national and sub-regional levels; and to enable citizens’ access to affordable telephones, broadcasting, computers and Internet services. For this to happen, countries need to adopt concrete measures that include developing sound regulatory frameworks and building human resource capac-ity (UNECA, 2003). The mere establishment of a written national ICT policy has value in itself. At a minimum, it conveys the message that the govern-ment is forward-looking and ready to pursue the utilization of ICT in society. Governments should, of course, aspire to more by putting the policy content into actual practice and becoming a role model in applying ICT in their own administration and services. Though ICT evolution will take place with or without a systematic, comprehensive and articulated policy; the lack of a coherent policy is likely to contribute to the development (or prolonged existence) of ineffective infrastructure and a waste of resources(UNESCAP, 2009). An IT policy framework is recognized as an important step in order to create an enabling environment for the deployment of ICTs and their uses to social outcomes (Njuguna, 2006).

Information and communication have always formed the basis for human existence from time immemorial and this has driven man to continu-ously seek ways to improve the processing of information and communicating such information to one another irrespective of distance and on a real-time basis (Ndukwe, 2002). According to Ndukwe (2002), surviving in the information age in this world order which is driven by knowledge and exchange of information and ideas depends therefore on access to national and global informa-

tion networks. He notes further that technology is driving the new global economy, that people, business and whole communities without ready access to information technology are left behind in the fast-paced world; and that people who do not readily have access to IT systems are finding themselves isolated with few opportunities and dimming prospects. It permeate every facet of life and they help to collect, manage and pass information on others.

IT is the bedrock for national survival and development in a rapidly changing global envi-ronment, and challenges us to devise bold and courageous initiatives to address a host of vital socio-economic issues such as reliable infrastruc-ture, skilled human resources, open government and other essential issues of capacity building. In addition, an IT policy built on reliable human resources and infrastructure constitutes the fun-damental tool and means of assessing, planning, managing development change and for achieving sustainable growth. It is for this reason that every progressive country has a national IT policy and an implementation strategy to respond to the emerging global reality and thus avert becoming a victim of the digital divide. A developing nation like Nigeria, that aspires to effectively participate and become a key player in the emerging informa-tion age needs to have in place, a highly efficient information technology system that is driven by a vibrant national IT policy (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2001).Essentially, Nigeria’s active participation in the information society informs the need to develop and implement national ICT policies (and strategies), with special consideration for meeting the goals of the United Nations Mil-lennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which United Nations’ member States agreed to, in order to address the major issues that confront human existence and sustainable development, especially poverty eradication (as stated in the MDGs) (Sesan, 2009).

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the nIgerIAn It PolIcy

The Nigerian Federal Executive Council approved a national IT policy in March 2001 and the imple-mentation started in April with the establishment of the National Information Technology Develop-ment Agency (NITDA), charged with the imple-mentation responsibility. The policy recognized the private sector as the driving engine of the IT sector. (Awe, n.d.b) The core vision of the policy statement is to make Nigeria an IT capable coun-try in Africa and a key player in the Information society by using IT as the engine for sustainable development and global competitiveness.

objectives of the nigerian It Policy

The objectives of the Nigerian National In-formation Technology Policy include the following(Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2001)

• To ensure that information technology re-sources are readily available to promote ef-ficient national development.

• To guarantee that the country benefits maximally, and contributes meaningfully by providing the global solutions to the challenges of the Information Age.

• To empower Nigerians to participate in software and IT development.

• To encourage local production and manu-facture of IT components in a competitive manner.

• To improve accessibility to public admin-istration for all citizens, bringing transpar-ency to government processes.

• To establish and develop IT infrastructure and maximize its use nationwide.

• To improve judicial procedures and en-hance the dispensation of justice.

• To improve food production and food security.

• To promote tourism and Nigerian arts & culture.

• To improve healthcare delivery systems nationwide.

• To enhance planning mechanisms and forecasting for the development of local infrastructure.

• To enhance the effectiveness of environ-mental monitoring and control systems.

• To re-engineer and improve urban and ru-ral development schemes.

• To empower children, women and the dis-abled by providing special programs for the acquisition of IT skills.

• To empower the youth with IT skills and prepare them for global competitiveness.

• To integrate IT into the mainstream of edu-cation and training.

• To create IT awareness and ensure univer-sal access in order to promote IT diffusion in all sectors of our national life.

• To create an enabling environment and fa-cilitate private sector (national and multi-national) investment in the IT sector.

• To stimulate the private sector to become the driving force for IT creativity and en-hanced productivity and competitiveness.

• To encourage government and private sec-tor joint venture collaboration.

• To enhance national security and law enforcement.

• To endeavour to bring the defence and law enforcement agencies in line with accepted best practices in the national interest

• To promote legislation (Bills & Acts) for the protection of on-line, business transac-tions, privacy and security.

• To establish new multi-faceted IT insti-tutions as centres of excellence to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets.

• To develop human capital with emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based society.

• To create Special Incentive Programs (SIPs) to induce investment in the IT sector.

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• To generate additional foreign exchange earnings through expanded indigenous IT products and services.

• To strengthen National identity and unity.• To build a mass pool of IT literate man-

power using the NYSC, NDE and other platforms as “train the trainer” Scheme (TTT) for capacity building.

• To set up Advisory standards for educa-tion, working practices and industry.

• To establish appropriate institutional framework to achieve the goals stated above.

sectoral Applications

A national ICT policy normally specifies the areas of the country the policy will be applied to.

The policy gives direction on the strategies for using ICTs to improve on each sector of the country. By specifying the sectoral applications of the policy document, it will be possible to imple-ment the policy statement to the advantage of the different sectors of the country (Adomi & Igun, 2008). The sectoral applications of the Nigeria national ICT policy document include (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2001).

• Human resource development• Infrastructure• Research and development• Health• Agriculture• Urban and rural development• Fiscal measures• Government and private sector

partnerships.• Arts, culture and tourism• National security and law enforcement• Legislation• Global consideration• IT popularization and awareness

nigerian national It Policy Implementation strategies

Policy implementation remains one of the key issues in many developing countries particularly given the fact that many countries have a national IT policy in place, very little progress has been achieved in policy implementation in Nigeria, as most of the sector that have one are derailing from proper implementation of set goals of IT policy implementation. African countries are faced with many problems in IT policy implementation, in that while national IT policies are aimed to deliver broader social-economic outcome for the entire country, social reforms are primarily aimed at ensuring particular objectives of a sector driven by minority business interest and this creates a situation of a conflicting goals for policy mak-ers ad thus resulting into policy implementation (Njuguna, 2006).

However, due to recognition of IT as a strategic imperative for national development and taking cognisance of its immense benefits, the Nigerian Federal Government has expressed intention to provide considerable national resources, both financial and otherwise, for the realization of the National IT Vision Statement.

The core implementation strategies of the IT policy are:

• Establishing a coordinated program for the development of a National Information Infrastructure (NII), State Information Infrastructure (SII) and Local Information Infrastructure (LII) backbone by using emerging technologies such as satellite in-cluding VSAT, fibre optic networks, high speed gateways and broad band/multime-dia technologies.

• Providing adequate connectivity to the Global Information Infrastructure (GII).

• Addressing open standards for further lib-eralization and the fiscal measures includ-ing incentives to substantially improve

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telephone teledensity and make IT more affordable to the citizenry.

• Establishing IT Parks as incubating centres for the development of software applica-tions at national, state and local levels.

• Restructuring the education system at all levels to respond effectively to the chal-lenges and imagined impact of the infor-mation age and in particular, the allocation of a special IT development fund to educa-tion at all levels.

• Restructuring the healthcare system by providing a national databank to provide on-line national healthcare information, administration and management at prima-ry, secondary and tertiary levels.

• Encouraging massive local and global IT skills acquisitions through training in the public and private sectors with the view to achieving a strategic medium-term milestone.

• Empowering the labour force with IT skills and improving Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) productivity.

• Establishing adequate institutional frame-work at the federal, state, and local gov-ernment levels in order to effectively ac-complish the objectives of the IT vision and mission.

• Establishing national IT awareness ma-chinery at all levels of government and encouraging private sector participation in exposing Nigerians to the features and benefits of IT.

• Strengthening government and private sec-tor collaboration for the attainment of na-tional self-reliance.

• Utilising IT facilities to develop and trans-form the entertainment industry for wealth and job creation.

• Establishing appropriate mechanisms to accelerate and enhance trade and com-merce transactions in the sector.

• Creating national database management systems as a tool for effective planning & communication between citizens at home and abroad.

• Establishing national databases and other IT infrastructure to enhance defence and law enforcement.

• Enacting Bills & Acts to stimulate and pro-tect the rights of users and developers in-cluding intellectual property rights.

• Bringing the government to the doorsteps of people by creating virtual forum and facilities to strengthen accessibility to government information and facilitating interaction between the governed and gov-ernment leading to transparency, account-ability and the strengthening of democracy.

• Utilizing IT opportunities to restructure government, citizens and business inter-faces for better governance, improved trade and commerce and administrative effectiveness.

• In order to achieve the short to medium term objectives of this policy with maxi-mum effectiveness, Government will es-tablish a National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to imple-ment the IT Policy, regulate, monitor, evaluate and verify progress on an ongoing basis under the supervision and coordina-tion of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

PerformAnce revIew of the nIgerIAn nAtIonAl It PolIcy

Table 1 focuses on performance review of Nigerian IT Policy. The performance review of the Nigerian National IT policy was done by Oyesanya (2004) to determine how the objectives of the policy have been achieved.

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Table 1. Performance review of the Nigerian national IT policy

IT Policy Objective Performance Review

To ensure that Information Technology resources are readily avail-able to promote efficient national development

Some Information technology resource has become available. However, it is largely driven by the private sector.

To guarantee that the country benefits maximally, and contributes meaningfully by providing the global solutions to the challenges of the Information Age

ICT capacity is still inadequate of provide maximum benefit.

To empower Nigerians to participate in software and IT development NITDA held some Open Source Software conference, but is yet to provide enabling mechanism for national participation.

To encourage local production and manufacture of IT components in a competitive manner

A Local manufactures were approved. Some personal Computer as-semble is now taking place in Nigeria. However, most are still imports.

To improve accessibility to public administration for all citizens, bringing transparency to government processes

E-Government Conferences and National e-government Strategies LTD (NeGSt), but are still in developmental phases.

To establish and develop IT infrastructure and maximize its use nationwide

SAT-3 is underutilized. Onlyused by Shell.

To improve judicial procedures and enhance the dispensation of justice

E-Judiciary Conference was held

To improve food production and food security Efforts unknown

To promote tourism and Nigerian arts & nationwide Effort unknown

To improve healthcare delivery systems nationwide Effort unknown

To enhance planning mechanisms and forecasting for the develop-ment of local infrastructure

NIDTA is active member of the WSIS implementation, which is still at premature stages

To enhance the effectiveness of environmental monitoring and controlsystems

Nigeria launched it’s first satellite in 2003, NigeriaSat-1. Plans for a communications satellite are said to be underway

To re-engineer and improve urban and rural development schemes Rural Internet Resource Centers were established in Bayelsa and Jigawa States. Also 6 Mobile Internet Units were commissioned to travel the entire country

To empower children, women and the disabled by providing special programs for the acquisition of IT skills

Efforts unknown

To empower the youth with IT skills and prepare them for global competitiveness

There are currently 35 Diginet sites, each with 22 Computers. Diginet is sponsored by the Education Tex Fund. A total of 60 sites is expected to complete by 2004.

To integrate IT into the mainstream of education and training The National Universities Commission manages NUNET. Only a dozen Universities use NUNET. NUNET has nothing to do with NITDA

To create IT awareness and ensure universal access in order to promote IT diffusion in all sectors of our national life

NITDA frequently holds ITC seminar and Conferences. E-judiciary, E-Nigeria to name a few

To create an enabling environment and facilitate private sector (national and multinational) investment in the IT sector

International partnerships with Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corpo-ration, Hewlett Packard, CISCO Systems, Accenture, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, to deliver E-government and locally with Zinox, Omatek, Beta and Unitec Computers, Progenics Corporation, SystemSpec Ltd., Econet Wireless, Globacom, MTN Nigeria and M-Tel.

To stimulate the private sector to become the driving force for IT creativity and enhanced productivity and competitiveness

Some core technologies within the Mollie Internet nit used private sector resources.

To encourage government and private sector joint venturecol-laboration

Several Joint venture relationships exist between Nigerian Government and International Organizations, fewer exist between local Organizations

To enhance national security and law enforcement E-Judiciary Conferences were held

To endeavour to bring the defence and law enforcement agencies inline with accepted best practices in the national interest

E-Judiciary Conferences were held

To promote legislation (Bills & Acts) for the protection of on-line, business transactions, privacy and security.

Nigerian IT Bill was not passed into Law

continued on following page

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The table reveals that though actions have been take to actualize some of the IT policy objectives, the reverse is the case with others.

PolIcy revIew

The IT policy is however overdue for review due to changes and advances in ICT globally and in Nigeria. In this light, the government setup the Nigerian National ICT For Development (ICT4D) Strategic Action Plan committee to develop a new ICT policy for development as the ICT action plan / roadmap for the nation. Already a lot of time and effort has been invested in developing the policy by the committee The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the body responsible for facilitating ICT growth for development in Nigeria has completed its assign-ment on the nation’s ICT for development (ICT4D) strategy/plan. This was the outcome of the final technical meeting which involved the key resource persons working on the document Tuesday, 17th June, 2008 at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja.

The national ICT4D plan is targeted at using ICT to achieve the government’s Seven Point Agenda and “Vision 20: 2020,” thereby deploying ICT to achieve Nigeria’s Millennial Development Goals, NEPAD development initiatives and the World Summit on Information Society’s plan of action. It contains actionable programs for short-, medium- and long-term implementation by identified stakeholders (in conjunction with local and/or international private organizations). Spe-cific sectors with ICT plan actions, strategies for implementation and timelines include education, agriculture, health, e-government, infrastructure, human resources, research and development, legal and regulatory framework, national security and law enforcement, legislature and governance, IT popularization and deployment in communities, and the private sector development cluster (which covers trade and commerce, banking, tourism, the service sector, industrial sector development, and local and foreign direct investment, amongst others) (Awe, n.d. b.; Awe, n.d c).

IT Policy Objective Performance Review

To establish new multi-faceted IT institutions as centres of excel-lence to ensure Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets

Still in premature planning stages

To develop human capital with emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based society

Center for excellence are still in developmental phases

To create Special Incentive Programs (SIPs) to induce investment in the IT sector

Efforts Unknown

To generate additional foreign exchange earnings through expand-edindigenous IT products and services

NITDA’s financial reports are not public

To strengthen National identity and unity Efforts Unknown

To build a mass pool of IT literate manpower using the NYSC, NDE and other platforms as ‘train the trainer” Scheme (TTT) for capacity building.

NITDA-ETF ICT Center of Excellence Program is aimed at enabling Nigeria to participate fully and actively in the ICT Revolution through the development of a large pool of educated and qualified Nigerian ICT professionals. However, not one single center of excellence is ready. This is still at the premature stages.

To set up Advisory standards for education, working practices and industry

Efforts Unknown

To establish appropriate institutional framework to achieve the goals stated above.

NIDTA and auxiliary NITDA organizations were created

Source:Oyesanya (2004)

Table 1. continued

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future trends

The ICT sector is not static. There are rapid changes and developments from time to time. The policy that addresses the area should therefore be reviewed to reflect emerging developments in ICTs. Therefore the Nigerian government setup the Nigerian National ICT For Development (ICT4D) Strategic Action Plan committee to develop a new ICT policy for development as the ICT action plan / roadmap for the nation. Already a lot of time and effort has been invested in developing the policy by the committee. This ICT4D though would address new development in ICTs in the country should be revised as soon as possible to prevent Nigeria from lagging behind in the sector.

conclusIon

The Nigerian Federal approved a national IT policy in March 2001 and the implementation started in April with the establishment of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), charged with the implemen-tation responsibility. The policy recognized the private sector as the driving engine of the IT sec-tor (Awe, n.d). The policy is generally intended as a document for regulating application of ICTs to different sectors of Nigeria as a country. The policy has however not been fully implemented in the country. There is need for the government to ensure strict implementation of its ICT policy so the objectives can be fully achieved.

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key terms And defnItIons

Formulation: This is the determination of the best techniques for applying a new device or process of production of goods and services.

Information Technologies (ITs): Are elec-tronic devices used for capture, strong manipula-tion and transmission of information.

Mobile Phone: Is an electronic device that is used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialized base.

Policy: is a plan of action intended to regulate conduct.

Telecommunications: Is a communication process that allows the transmission of infor-mation from a sender to a receiver through an electromagnetic or light wave medium.

Web Services: Are automated resources ac-cessed via the Internet.

Wireless Technology: Is a tool for the transfer of information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or “wires”.

Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancements...

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Transcript of Handbook of Research on Information Communication Technology Policy: Trends, Issues and Advancements...