Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) is a three-tier system that when properly harnessed brings about revolutionary changes.
The first tier is information, a very vital part of the trio, it deals with data gathered and analyzed. This data is gathered from various sources.
Communication, which is at the second tier encompasses how that information is perceived and passed on and also the way it is understood by the recipient.
Technology which is at the third and final tier deals with what is done with what was communicated or understood.
Some can choose to create hardware products from information obtained, others can decide to proffer online solutions.
Watch, An Insight Into The Development of ICT in Nigeria
However, Technology is not limited to hardware and online solutions, it is vast in its approach and all-encompassing in its reach.
In recent times, technology has positioned itself at the forefront of industrialization. It has been rudimentary to the development of countries like America, Great Britain and it is still playing the role of helping developing countries appear on the global map.
ICT can pioneer development, both social and economic growth in any country. Linking the developing countries with developed countries and presenting opportunities that would grow the economy.
No doubt ICT is a game-changer globally, ICT in Nigeria has improved the country’s GDP in 2019 by 14 percent, and most recently according to the National Bureau of Statistics, ICT contributed greatly to the 90.75 percent of aggregate GDP in the first quarter of 2021 by the non-oil sector.
The non-oil sectors include the agricultural, educational, manufacturing, construction, health care sector among others.
Also, in the same quarter ICT sector attained the sector with the highest growth rate among all sectors of the Nigerian economy with a 6.47 percent increase in the ICT sector.
It is expected that more GDP growth will continue with the continued contributions of ICT which when applied to various sectors leads to more economic growth.
ICT in Nigeria was initially adopted in 2012 to meet a mission statement of taking the country to the next level where it can compete globally and build an economy that is knowledge-based for the country.
Also read, ICT is the third Source of Nigeria’s Socio-economic wellbeing – NITDA
ICT in Nigeria has tried to meet up with its mission statement growing steadily in its impact and economic position. A major area of impact being education.
Now, Nigeria has a robust number of tech-savvy youths having incorporated ICT into the learning modules.
The youths are acquiring tech skill sets and setting up startups by leveraging their technology knowledge.
ICT in Nigeria has also impacted other areas such as improved connectivity, service delivery, wider audience reach while reducing the cost of transportation among others.
Despite these improvements, ICT can do much better in Nigeria under more favorable conditions and policies. As earlier stated ICT has a catalytic effect on all other sectors of the economy to improve them.
If an enabling environment and favourable policies are created, the exploits of ICT in Nigeria will astound all who hear it as ICT is poised to improve the overall outlook of Nigeria’s economy.
Don’t miss important articles during the week. Subscribe to techbuild.africa weekly digest for updates.
