ICTs and Human Development in Nigeria: Forging a Nexus
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the Information Resources Management Association
Abstract
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ICTs have successfit!ly changed the social, economic and political spaces globally Through globalisation,
ICTs have reduced the world to a global clan and assumed a cyclopean force driving human civilisation by
the scruff The impact of ICTs has virtually diffused through all sectors, forcing technological changes and
creating a culture of dependence on technology. In Nigeria, the presence of ICTs has become ubiquitous
and its knowledge has deepened. Howeve1; the use of ICTs for human development purposes has remained
grossly limited. ICTs have only been co-opted for the creation of web portals, email addresses, 828, 82C
interactions and for inconsequential undertakings. The use of ICTs for educational and manpower development,
knowledge transmission, health education, research and development, medical treatment and others
for human development purposes is yet embryonic. This may not be unconnected with the by::antine socioeconomic
crises like spotty power supply, moribund infrastructure, witless political leadership, lack of priority
in investments by the state, endemic official corruption and a host of challenges facing the Nigerian state. To
assume a pole position in the present knowledge economy, Nigeria needs to .find that nexus between ICTs and
its human development needs. This study is cast against the backcloth of the Dif]itsion of Innovations and
Human Development Theories which support the dijfi1sion of ICT-enabled human development programmes
in Nigeria to realise true development. This paper argues that the political leadership in Nigeria will benefit
more at a fragment of the cost when it adopts ICTs in catalysing its human development programmes. In
addition, resolving some of the embedded social and ethical problems facing the count1y willji-ee resources
for the government to invesl'massively in ICTs that could help it leap-ji-og its human development challenges
and improve the lives of its citi::ens
Keywords
HM Sociology