Transcript Bridging the Digital Divide The Nigerian Case Study

Bridging the Digital Divide
The Nigerian Case Study
By
Prof. G. O. Ajayi,
Director General/CEO
National Information Technology Development Agency
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology
At
Developing Country Access on Online Scientific Publishing
Sustainable Alternatives
ICTP
Trieste, Italy.
4th – 5th October, 2002
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
A Quotable quote….
“The Internet holds the greatest promise humanity has known for longdistance learning and universal access to quality education. It offers
the best chance yet for developing countries to take their rightful
place in the global economy. And so our mission must be to ensure
access as widely as possible. If we do not, the gulf between the
haves and the have-nots will be the gulf between the technologyrich and the technology-poor.”
Kofi Annan
Secretary-General, United Nations
Science, 19 February, 1999, page 1079
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
More than 3/4 of the capital
cities in African countries
have developed some form of
Internet access.
Has 12% of World population,
but 2% of World’s main
telephone lines.
Recent Statistics has it that
there are about 3 million
Internet users in Africa with
only 1 million outside South
Africa.
Internet connectivity is 0.3%
of the world-wide
connectivity.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
Average level of income is the
lowest, but the cost of
installing telephone line is the
highest.
About 70-80 percent of
Africa's population resides
outside major cities, and local
dial access facilities for them
are still very rare
4th – 5th October, 2002
ICT Position of Africa
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ICT has provided enormous opportunities for development all
around the globe
However, the African continent has not been able to benefit much
from the information revolution because of the dearth of facilities
– The telecommunication infrastructure is rather inadequate to
meet the challenges of the information age
Under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD),
priority has been given to the development of information and
communications technology, recognising it as a major vehicle for
African development.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
SITUATION OF ICT IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
(HEI) IN AFRICA
Functions of HEIs (J. Daly) Include:
Education (traditional, distance education & others)
(Research & Development)
Knowledge Creation, Organization & Management
Knowledge Gate Keeping
Archival & Library Services
Management & University administration
Socio-economic-technological Services
Overcoming the Digital Divide
Human Resources Development in general
Technological Gate-Keeping
Technological Transfer & Adaptation
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Levels of ICT and Internet Development
in HEIs
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Single Computer with Dial-Up facilities
Local Area Network (LAN) in a location for all users
Local Area Network
Campus Area Network
Library LAN
Internet Connectivity of Campus Network
VSAT and wireless facilities for quick deployment
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
State and Use of ICT in HEIs
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Poor availability and quality of infrastructure
Inadequate Institutional Capacity
Inadequate Human Resource Capacity
Low bandwidth of connectivity Poor penetration of ICT into HEI’s
Poor penetration of ICT into HEI’s
Some Obstacles
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Absence of NICI policy to take care of HEI’s
Gross under-utilization of existing infrastructures
Poor telecommunications facilities
Electricity supply and other basic infrastructures
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Uses in ICT in HEIs
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Teaching, Learning and Research;
Contents provision;
Professional tool for future labour market;
Administration and Operational Management;
Tactical and Strategic Management;
Collection, dissemination and exchange of information;
Support for conduct and management of research;
Transformation of library to an Information collection,
processing, compiling and dissemination unit;
Minimal usage of IT currently locally in the University and
externally;
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Library in the Information Age
• Transformation into a new information services
unit
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Electronic acquisition and serials control
Electronic inter library loan
Electronic circulation functions
• Gradual trends toward library digitization
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Emergence of library information networks
Connectivity to campus intranet and Internet
Journals on CD-ROMs
Electronic Journals
• Use of digital libraries in Africa and worldwide
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Comparative Situation
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Over 200 universities in the US have 45Mbps Internet connectivity
85% of primary schools have 1.5Mbps Internet connectivity
ONLY a few African universities have 64kbps and higher
bandwidth
Integration of IT into University Functions
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Entry (teachers teach students to use IT)
Adoption (teachers use IT to support traditional instruction)
Adaptation (teachers use IT to enrich curricula)
Appropriation (IT is integrated and used for its unique capabilities)
Invention (Development of new learning environment using IT as a tool).
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on
ICT in HEIs in Africa
 ICT provides powerful tools and new paradigm for execution of the
functions of HEIs – education, knowledge creation, knowledge
organization and management, knowledge gate keeping, archival
and library services as well as socio-economic-technological
services to the community;
 A lot of similarity in the HEIs studied;
 Need to transform HEIs from traditional role to a more demanding
role catalyzed by the ICT;
 Donor financial & technical assistance , especially in HRD were
significant to the success of the projects;
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on
ICT in HEIs in Africa- contd
 New curricula necessary, which is learner centered;
 Integration of ICT into learning, research and management is still
in its infancy in most of the cases
 Internet based degree programmes , and Internet based open
Universities could constitute challenges to the traditional brick
and mortar traditional universities
 ICT strategic policy, plans and implementation mandatory
 HEIs can be marginalized by global on-line institutions
 Urgent need to integrate ICT into learning, research & management
 Transformation of the library into new Information Services Unit
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
The Nigerian Situation
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Nigeria, with a population of 120 million people is one of the fastest growing
telecommunications market in Africa.
There are 36 States and 774 Local Government Areas.
Currently, the GSM operators are enjoying a record of more than 1 million
subscribers in less than 1 a year of operation;
Access to Internet has been limited to the major cities and most times through
dial-up connection from smaller cities at exorbitant rates and very unstable
service.
With more than 60million Nigerian living outside the major cities, Internet
connectivity is a major issue that should be given special attention in the IT
industry.
Without adequate connections to advanced telecommunications infrastructure
and services, many rural, and suburban communities may not be able to fully
participate in the emerging information economy.
This is a trend that has to change in the near future.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
The Nigerian Situation (contd).

To address the problem of inadequate ICT infrastructure, the
Federal Government of Nigeria has taken the following steps:
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Launching of the new National Telecommunications Policy in September
2000 to further liberalize the sector.
Declaration of information and communication technologies as a
national priority project.
Approval of the National policy on Information Technology and
subsequent establishment of a National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA) in March/April 2001, as the implementing
agency.
The launching of the Nigerian Satellite System programme by the
National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSRDA).
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Developments in the Nigerian Information and
Communications Technology Sector
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Privatisation and Liberalisation
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Second National Operator has been licensed
GSM Licence
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Plans are on to privatise the national carrier- NITEL
Four GSM operators have been given licenses
Fixed Wireless Access Spectrum Allocation
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34 operators have just been given licenses covering all the 36 states,
including the FCT-Abuja
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Nigerian National IT Policy
The Vision
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To make Nigeria an IT capable country in Africa and a key
player in the Information Society by the year 2005, using IT as
the engine for sustainable development and global
competitiveness.
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The Mission is to Use “IT” for:
Education
Creation of Wealth
Poverty Eradication
Job Creation
Global Competitiveness
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Sectoral Application of the
IT Policy
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Human Resource Development
Infrastructure
Governance
Research and Development
Health
Agriculture
Urban and Rural Development
Trade and Commerce
Arts, Culture and Tourism
National Security and Law Enforcement
Fiscal Measures
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Implementation Strategy
Institutional
Capacity
Building
Human
Resource Capacity
Building
Radio tower
Radio tower
Radio tower
Satellite dish
Radio tower
Radio tower
Radio tower
Infrastructure
Capacity
Building
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Implementing the IT Policy
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Changing the face of IT development in Nigeria is a move that needs the
collaborative effort of both the Private sector, the public and international
initiatives;
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Baseline Studies will be conducted in various areas of IT Development;
Strategic Planning inline with National Development Plan;
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The challenge is so great that it cannot be handled by the agency alone.
NITDA is therefore ready to work together with all in order to achieve the
missions and visions of the policy;
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
A Brief History of NITDA
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NITDA took off on April 18th 2001.
Started from Minister of S&T Conference room.
Moved to boy’s quarters of Biotechnology
Resource Centre, Parakou Crescent.
Moved to the Corporate Headquarters, in Sept.
2001.
Started with a Staff Strength of 2.
Now has some substantial number of staff (over
40) for our operations.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Some achievements of NITDA
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Collaborations with the private sector to foster the growth of the
IT industry in Nigeria.
Belief in Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Collaborations with International Organisations
– UNDP – TICAD Initiative
– UNESCO Plan of Action
– The Nigerian-American Information Initiative (NAII)
– CISCO Agreement
– Embassy Initiatives
– NDI on the National Assembly IT Projects
– EDDI Community Resource Centre Project
Collaboration with Foreign governments
– French government ICT initiative and the Italian Government
e-government initiative.
– Japanese Government
Collaborations with the Public Sector
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Some achievements of NITDA
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(contd)
Achievements
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Government Portal under construction. This will
facilitate the development of G2G, G2C, C2G,
interactions.
Development of an indigenous computer keyboard for
national use.
Development of the National Information Infrastructure
Backbone (NIIB)
Provision of Internet Access to the Presidential Network.
Public Service Information Network
Establishment of Enterprise Technology Centre at the
Federal Secretariat Complex
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Focus for the Year
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National Information Infrastructure Backbone (NIIB).
NITDA/State Governments Partnership for VSAT Internet
Installations and Broadband Wireless Facilities
Rural Internet Resource Centres (RIRC)
Mobile Internet Units (MIU).
Baseline Studies.
E-government.
Human Resources Development.
IT Parks
IT integration into sectors: civil service, military/security
services, judiciary, health, etc
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
The Nature of the
National Information Infrastructure Backbone (NIIB)
State Information
Infrastructure
Backbone (SIIB)
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Other Projects
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Open University and Distance Learning for
Human Resource Development
Virtual Library Project
Rural Community Centres
Mobile Community Centres for the rural areas
Local Content Development on the Internet
Plans to utilize IT for tele-medicine
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Nigeria and Distance Education.
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The first significant approach to distance education in Nigeria
started with the establishment of the National Open University
(NOU) in July, 1993.
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Though it was suspended, the law establishing the university
was not abrogated.
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Recently, the Federal Ministry of Education has come up with an
implementation plan for the National Open and Distance
Learning Programmes with its strategies planned around the
resuscitation of the National Open University (NOU).
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Challenges to Distance and Online Education in Nigeria.
Institutional
Capacity
Development
Human
Resource Capacity
Development
Radio tower
Educated
Workforce
Radio tower
Radio tower
Radio tower
Radio tower
Infrastructure
Capacity
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Infrastructure Capacity.
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Distance and online education will require the development of
a network of ICT infrastructure all over the country.
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This can be achieved through:
– Increasing the teledensity.
– The availability of large bandwidth of ICT facilities like fibre optic
network, ISDN.
– Creating a network of VSAT stations in strategic locations in the
country.
– Most prospective students in Nigeria lack access to the Internet
and www.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Challenges to
Human Capacity
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There is an acute shortage of skilled Distance and Online Instructor
professionals.
Most lack content from their homes and where these are available,
are quite expensive to maintain.
Many Nigerians still lack the basic computing skills.
Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity in Distance
Education:
– national workshop on distance education organized by the office
of the Special Adviser on Education to the president, in
September 2000 with the theme “Evolving a National Policy on
Distance”.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity
in Distance Education
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Amongst other things the workshop proposed a materials development
workshop.
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A follow-up workshop was held in June, 2001 co-sponsored by the Federal
Ministry of Education, Abuja office of the United Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), Dakar, Senegal-based
UNESCO BREDA (Regional Office for Education in Africa), office of the
Special Adviser on Education and the Education Tax Fund (ETF).
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It drew more than 250 participants from the primary, secondary and tertiary
education sectors, the ministry and its parastatals. There were also
international participants from the Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
One of the resource persons, came from the South African Institute for
Distance Education (SAIDE).
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity
in Distance Education
(contd)
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During the June workshop, participants were trained in 'Writing
Distance Education materials, Use of Visuals, Development of CDROM, online materials, Choosing Appropriate Technology, among
others.
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Sequel to the workshop, a National Open University Course
Materials Development meeting was held in March in Lokoja Kogi
State. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) sent three experts
down from Canada.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity in
Distance Education
(contd)
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The participants (over 125 top-rate academics from Nigeria's
institutions of higher learning) were drilled on:
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Systematic ways of developing and designing instructional materials
and courses for distance learning.
Seven Critical Elements of Instructional Design for Open Learning
Preparing Instructional Materials and Delivery of Open Learning.
Evaluation of Open Learning Programmes, as well as open questions
and discussions on open learning.
The participants were expected to have developed 183 courses will
be written and 235 others adapted in 54 programmes carefully
chosen to kick-start the re-establishment of the National Open
University in Lagos.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Efforts towards developing Institutional Capacity
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Since early 1960’s, the Nation has been committed to remedying the
deficiency in the colonial education strategy targeted to only a privileged
few.
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In 1976, government launched the Universal Primary Education (UPE)
programme to catalyse socio-economic development using education as a
tool.
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In 1977, the National Policy on Education was launched with a clear
declaration from the government that “education is the most important
instrument of change in any society. Any fundamental change in the
intellectual and social outlook of any society has to be preceded by an
educational revolution”.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
The National Open University.
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The National Open University is designed to increase the access of
all Nigerians to formal and non-formal education in a manner
convenient to their circumstances.
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It would cater for the continuous educational development of
professionals in various sectors.
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The Delivery method for :NOU is the best way to reach a leaner
through the use of technologies that learner already has or can
easily be made available.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Academic Programmes to be run at NOU
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These are grouped into logical degree structures under the
following schools.
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Information and Computer Services.
Agricultural Sciences
Business Administration and Management Studies.
Engineering & Public Studies.
Education.
Science and Technology
Health Sciences
Arts & Social Sciences.
Legal Studies
Vocational & Continuing Education.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Obafemi Awolowo University
Academic Network Project
OAUNET - Current Design Computer
Networking Project
Overview of Network
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
OAUNet – The Obafemi Awolowo
University Academic Network
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In 1994/1995, the ICTP in collaboration with the Obafemi Awolowo
University established the OAUNet in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, as a pilot
academic information network.
This was the first university network in Nigeria.
OAUNet has grown from 2 subnets to over 15 subnets in a few
years.
Nigeria’s largest network with over 1000 computers and more than
6000 users.
ICTP programme has contributed to the development of ICT in
Nigeria in the following ways:
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Nigerian Universities Network in capacity and infrastructure
development.
Assistance to other universities.
Development of the National IT Policy
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
OAUNet – contd.
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Private sector involvement in the university by
establishing cybercafes.
The university network is also used for capacity
building, training and infrastructure development.
The Obafemi Awolowo University is presently Nigeria’s
largest single collection of IT capable persons – a
critical mass of ICT experts.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
OAUNET - Main Network Diagram
VSAT
Earth Station
256 Kbps
WaveLan
2Mbps
Main
HUB
First
Generation
sc
tech
Second
Generation
usb
Third
Generation
Third
Generation
Dial up
MODEM
33 Kbps
cs
chs
agric
NC
OA
Key
sc - sciences
tech - Technology
cs - Computer Science
usb - Secretariat
chs - Health Science
Agric- Agriculture
NC - NACETEM
OA - OAU Teaching
hospital
Several Subnets and CyberCafes
Planned
Packet and HF radio links to rural Health establishments in the area
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Main HUB or network
WLAN Antenna
IntraWEB
Server
Inter
Subnet
Router
Backup
Server
Modem
Server
Mail
Server
WEB
Server
Proxy
Server
Firewal
l
Terminal
Equipment
CISCO
router
Pentium III PCs
10 base 2 Ethernet Backbone
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Technical Assistance to other Universities
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Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)
University of Lagos, Yaba;
Lagos State University, Badagry;
University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
University of Ilorin;
Dept. of Physics, University of Ibadan and
The College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti
River State University of Science and Technology
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Recommendations
In view of the success stories of the ICTP pilot ICT programmes in Nigeria and
other developing countries,
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The ICTP programme on information and communication technologies
should be fully restored, including:
– The R & D in ICT
– School on Radio Use for Information and Communication Technology.
– Establishment of pilot academic information network in developing
countries.
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Junior Associates, Associates and Senior Associates programme in ICT
should be supported by the ICTP.
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ICT plays a major cross-cutting role in Science and Technology R&D; hence
ICTP should recognise it as such and accord it necessary recognition.
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For sustainability and revival of Science and Technology R&D in developing
countries, ICTP must support ICT development in the developing countries.
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002
Thank you
Contact Address:
Prof. G.O. Ajayi
Director General
National Information Technology Development Agency
Plot 695
Port Harcourt Crescent
Off Gimbiya Street
Area 11
Garki – Abuja
Tel: 09 – 3142925
Fax:
09 – 3142924
Email:
[email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.nitda.gov.ng
Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]
4th – 5th October, 2002