Assessment of the Extent of Utilization of ICT for Commercial Purpose by Nigerian Women in Purdah

Abstract

The emphasis of this paper is to assess the degree of utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for commercial purposes by Nigerian women in purdah in carrying out their commercial activities from the comfort of their homes. The women in purdah in Osun and Oyo States were used for the study because of the high concentration of them in those states and the presence of large markets. One hundred and fifty women were carefully chosen for the study, and they were accessed through their husbands. One hypothesis was formulated for the study. The data collected for the study were analysed through Arithmetic Mean and Chi-Square techniques. The study revealed that ICT was utilized for commercial purposes to a very high extent among women in purdah. It was discovered that those women in purdah utilize ICT highly for marketing their products and services, making and receiving payments from customers and attending business meetings online from their homes. The study concluded and provided recommendations to further encourage the use of ICT for carrying out commercial activities by women in purdah for better performance and profitability.