Prospects of ICT for digital growth and national development in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was aimed at identifying the prospects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for digital growth and National development. The research adopted a descriptive research methodology where a field survey was conducted. The population of the study comprised of Information and communication technology professionals in Nigeria. Furthermore, 100 information and communication technology professionals were purposively sampled from the academia and the industry, thus making the sample size 100. The instrument for primary data collection was a ten-point questionnaire. The result from the study identified artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, ubiquitous computing, Internet of Things, big data analytics and block chain technology as key ICTs technologies that are driving the digital economy, fostering digital growth and national development. The study further revealed the prospects of ICTs for digital growth and National Development in Nigeria to include; increase in revenue, elimination of the black economy, reduction in corruption; increase in trust, privacy and integrity. These prospects however are hindered by some challenges identified in the study to include; Poor infrastructure, Policy implementation issues, high cost of ICTs, irregular access to ICTs, bureaucratic bottle necks, skills gaps and cyber security issues. The study therefore recommended in-depth analysis into finding solutions for the challenges facing digitalization in Nigeria as a way of ensuring Nigeria queues in fully into the fourth industrial revolution.

Keywords: Digital Growth, ICT, National Development, Digital Economies, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Nigeria