ICT in Nigeria: More than Just a Jamboree

By

Okpanku Chidi Okpanku

OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATION IN NIGERIA

With the advent of Internet and mobile telecommunication in the world, much has changed in the way we live, work and interact with each other. Although communication is as old as history, not so much has been seen of the aspect of human endeavour until technology changed the face of everything.

The fast development of the information technology viz a viz the Internet has been attributed to the ever dominant of globalisation in to days economy. And to the fact that the founding fathers had a not-for–profit attitude when they were developing them. No wonder Berner lee; the father of Internet was recently honoured with a prize for his invention. In his remark, he observed that, had he commercialised or patented his invention, it wouldn't have come this far. This is the recognition of the fact that, next to the three basic needs of man. Is the ability to communicate with one another.

Having defined internet, the bedrock of information society; as the brain child of science, the wizardry of God, made manifest by man. It will be pertinent to look at how Nigeria , as a country, and a society, has fared, in integration this ever-evolving culture into the main stream of its affairs.

In Nigeria , the story of ever evolving affairs has been the same. The development of telecommunications in Nigeria began in 1886 when a cable connection was established between Lagos and the colonial office in London . By 1893, government offices in Lagos were provided with telephone service, which was later extended to Ilorin and Jebba in the hinterland. A slow but steady process of development in the years that followed led to the gradual formation of the nucleus of a national telecommunications network.

With less than 30,000 telephone lines in the pre-independent period to 90,000 lines in the 60s and 1500 telex in the late 19^th century to 2000 telex lines in the post independent era. The number of telephone line moved to 700,000. Though only 400,000 was in use during the late 90. The mobile sector, which started with just 10,000 lines in 1991, was upgraded to about 20,000 in 1994. While 14 Telex exchanges with total installed capacity of 12,800 and 20 voice frequency telegraph terminals has been installed. And with the commencement of GSM services, the number of phone lines jumped to a whooping figure of 4.2 million lines in 2004. The number of ISPs moved from 11 in 2000 to almost 30 in 2004. While internet user moved form 100,000 to more than 500,000 in 2004.( see G.O. Ajayi, R. I. Salawu, and T. I. Raji: A CENTURY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA--WHAT NEXT? )

Hitherto, telephones especially cell, were seen as a symbol of status and achievement. The GSM revolution changed that. Before now, the average Nigerian hardly dream of owning a land phone, talk less of a cell. Which was strictly reserved for the rich. Access to basic telephone services was hindered by high cost of acquisition and bureaucratic bottleneck. While Internet access was only used by NGOs, multinational and very few, highly educated individuals. With few people sharing one email address. This also changed as more people got on the net through public access point or café.

The 90s witnessed a change in the telecom and information sector. Government started its liberalization policy of the telecom industry. Private companies were giving licences to provide commercial telephone services. These companies, complimented the state owned operator, NITEL. In spite of these achievements, the services rendered by the private operators were costly. Though with some advantage over the state own, in the ease of acquisitions.

The monopoly of Nitel was for the first time, in the history of Nigeria broken. Internet services grew remarkable also as more ISPs were licensed within this period. This lead to fall in prices, with increased subscription and usage. Nevertheless, the spread of services offered by the PTOs was highly limited, as most of them concentrated in the big cities. Were there was an assumed assertion of profitability and viability. Going by this development, Nigeria still suffered a low teledensity, which averages around 0.68 in sub-Saharan Africa as at 1996. With 70% of the phone lines available in the cities.

The liberalization policy pursued by the federal government was heralded with the licensing of private companies to provide General System for Mobile services. Mtel (NITEL), Econet (Vmobile) and MTN were licensed. After the forth operator, Communication Investment Limited (CIL) had its licence revoked on grounds of inability to pay up the prescribed lincence fee, before the deadline. However, the forth licence was later reserved for the second national operator, of which Globacom Nigeria, won the bid.

(See http://www.ncc.gov.ng).

Internet sector wasn’t left out. As more companies were licensed to offer internet services in various towns and cities in the country. While many were empowered to provide VSAT solution and other telecom value added services.

With the commencement of service by the GSM operators with only 300,000 lines in august, 2001. The industry has experienced a spiral growth in terms of quality, services and volume. Leading to the attainment of over 4 million subscribers in just 3years of its inception. Averaging 120,000 subscribers per month, which is above the industry's average index. And above the recommended ITU standard of 1 telephone line per 100 persons.

At the same time, improved access to the Internet was recorded. With less than 11 ISPs in 2000, to more than 50 ISPs in 2004. While many more got connected to the information super-highway, through broadband VSAT connection see http://www.nationmaster.com/country/ni/Internet. These service providers provided the much-needed access to individuals, organisations and public access point (internet cafes). It will be difficult to estimate the number of Internet users in the country, as many Nigerians access the net through public access point (see also www.jidaw.com).

Improved Internet diffusion has been achieved, due to increased awareness; access, skills, technical manpower and gradual fall in charges for access. With cafés providing cheaper alternatives to home based connection. It is also interesting to note that, the licensing of more ISP brought stiff competition to the market. Where companies with better technology and cheaper access has greater share of the market.

From Dial-up connection, through wireless access then the ubiquitous VSAT connection. Internet access has grown astronomically. Reducing the over dependency on telephone for dial-ups. More remote areas have also been linked too, to the world's largest network. Satellite options, has provided access to the hitherto unsaved areas. And Internet cafes have similarly migrated from dial-up connection to wireless and VSAT connection.

So much improvement has also been seen in the field of telephony. With the recent licensing of more fixed wireless operators, (some of which has started commercial service), basic telephone and Internet services are now been provided in more towns and villages. Cheaper and more efficient services are now in the offer. Call rates has also dropped reasonable. Especially, with the introduction of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) see http://www.fcc.gov/voip, and review of interconnectivity rate, among operators by NCC. More people are also been empowered with the ability to communicate, within and outside the country. The use of VOIP has benefited the average phone user, since routing a call through the Internet attracts less charge unlike the old Public Telephone Switch Network (PSTN). Remote villages, which depended solely on satellite phone, are now covered by mobile network. Leading to cheaper call rates in those areas (see also http://www.iec.org).

In spite of all these enviable achievements, many still see communication as a jamboree and not a necessity. They wonder why they should spend money on communication where there is stomach to feed, body to cloth and heads to shelter. While many have been restrained by the above factors, the spirit of technophobia has kept some aback. This feeling of dislike for technology, has led to lower patronage for technology products and services. And if not well addressed my cause a limitation to the expected growth have out information society.

It is the aim of this paper to address this issue of technophobe. By discussing the various benefits of adopting a technology life style. With a view of addressing the dominant misconstrues about it, thus reversing the negative trends.

BENEFITS OF COMMUNICATION

The case of information technology is one that has the potential to positively enhance all aspect of our life. The fear of high cost, ever changing terrain and exposure to obscene materials from the net. Should not be a deterrent. The opportunities offered by information technology hold unlimited possibilities.

In telephony, mobile phones have played a great role in enhancing the security of lives and property. Crimes have been reported with just a phone call. People have aired their view in interactive program by just dealing in. Robbery attacks have been checked by just a call to the police. Roadside motor mechanics are not left out. Cases of vehicle breakdown has been reported, time and cost saved. Toll vans contacted, where need be, all with a phone call or SMS. Traders and business now access the latest exchange rates. Online, through the net, or specialized information services offered by some GSM networks. Exchange rates can be compared with that of parallel markets, and quick decisions made without compromise. The use of text messaging by farmers to get information on the current market value of their produce has become a culture. This has saved them the cost by unscrupulous middlemen. Information on news, weather reports and entertainment can now be access, all through a cell phone. With MMS services, files can now be transferred through mobile networks. A text 2 emails is now available, And with wireless application protocol (WAP) one can even download some favourite web pages. Sharing information has now become easier, faster and better. Teleconferencing now allows people to hold briefs real time online. Without having the need to move around. Saving cost, time and energy.

The enormous potentials of an informed society for development cannot be over emphasised. Internet allows people to communicate easily and cheaply too. Electronic mails are one of the most easily used. People no longer share email addresses as it were in the early days of Internet. And with the growing popularity of web based free email services like yahoo mail, this has changed over night. More and more people are signing up by the day. This form of communication has thus become a cost effective and fast means of sharing information, unlike the traditional mailing system, which is slow and unprotected.

Journalists now send news items to the media houses via email. And at time, participate in online chat to deliver reports to their media houses. Thus reducing the cost of telephone calls and fax messaging. As at the time of writing this paper, more than ten Nigerian newspapers are published online daily and three radio stations have online presence.

Musicians and artist now showcase their works online, through virtual gallery. Attracting both local and foreign patronage. Napter and some media groups are currently working on online sales of music. This will allow people to purchase music in cyber store. Download them into the multimedia home entertainment system and play the offline. Video and audio streaming now make it possible to watch videos and play songs, on real time mode.

The use of internet for diagnosis and treatment, exchange of medical data, information on disease control, education research are all well known application of information technology in the field of medicine. Doctors and nurses can be contacted via mobile phones and pagers on emergency times.

Although still at the embryonic stage, e-commerce is another potential area of utilizing information technology. With the success records of “ flash me cash “ and other available e-payment options. Mobile transaction, fund transfer and bill settlement are areas of great opportunities. Considering the current high cost of installing and maintaining ATM, it is obvious that e-payment and mobile banking, holds the key to the future of Nigeria electronic commerce.

Local, state and federal governments now advertise their domain's potential online. Tourism potential are been showcased. E-governance is enhancing government operations. Government contracts can now be published online. Opening equal access to potential bidders. Revenue allocation is now published online. Giving all an opportunity to know the financial status of their government.

With the take off of Nigeria Virtual University . People can study online devoid of space and time. Career people can now retool while at work. Giving them opportunity to balance between lecture period and working hours. Collaborative research and learning is been enhanced. Researchers from different parts of the country now easily exchange materials, and access various networked knowledge resource. Just by the click of a mouse. Currently, I teach a set of young Gambians, from my office in Nigeria , using online chat tools (see Okpanku C.O: Enhanced learning and pedagogy through the use of technology).

During the infamous Lagos bomb blast, people were able to track their loved ones with the power of communication. Nowadays, one can perpetually keep in touch with colleagues, friends and relation through phones, email etc. New relationships are been created daily online. And even marriages have been arranged in cyber communities.

CONCLUSION.

Where the challenges of expanding and democratising access is managed effectively. Through favourable government policies, proper administrative management, increased funding, man power development and local content delivery. The future of and informed society looks very bright. As networks becomes more resilient, robust and optimised. Mobile network enhance their data capability, through the used of advanced packet technologies. The convergence of Internet and mobile technologies will hold a greater future for all. As companies continue to pump in money into R&D. Cell phone with greater processing power and enhance features will emerge. Placing pseudo Pcs in the hands of many. Giving men the power to communicate like never before. Browse the net, run various applications, transmit to transfer video and audio files. All at a fairly reasonable charges. Perhaps someday, one will be able to broadcast lecture and seminars, using Digital Video Broadcasting. And gradually we will even communicate at the speed of thought. In spite of the limitations of time and space. The journey to this utopia future begins today. As we take communication more seriously, as a necessity and not just a jamboree.