The telecommunication sector in Nigeria has been deregulated and liberalized (Ndukwe, 2004; Obasanjo, 2004). Nigeria now has 4 licensed mobile operators, 35 Internet service providers, and 5 million mobile lines. Overall, Internet access in the country is improving (Ajakaye & Kanu, 2004; Hamilton et al., 2004; ITU, 2005; Ndukwe, 2005). There were only 100,000 Internet users in Nigeria in 2002, but the situation is now much better (ITU, 2005). Nigeria is improving its ICT sector with several new initiatives. For example, in 2003 the country launched its first data satellite, NigeriaSat-1 (BBC News, 2003), and contracts have been signed for the launching of another telecommunication satellite (Ajakaye, 2005;
Ndukwe, 2005). Further, NITEL (Nigerian Telecommunication Ltd.) has started installing optical fiber network links to major cities in the country. This initiative benefits from the US$637 million optic fiber network (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) along the coast of Africa (Ajayi, 2003a). With this progress, Nigeria is emerging as one of the best performing nations in terms of ICT products use and diffusion in SSA (Ajayi, 2003a, 2003b; Hamilton et al., 2004; ITU, 2005). Apparently, the investment climate of the telecom sector is vibrant. The liberalized and deregulated policies have permitted foreign entities to participate in the sector. According to the President of Nigeria, the telecommunication sector received foreign direct investments (FDI) of US$4 billion in 2003 (Ndukwe, 2004, 2005; Obasanjo, 2003, 2004).
Nigeria has recently seen the emergence of homemade computers (Ajayi, 2003b; Ifinedo, 2004). Previously, all computers used in the country were imported. The chief executive of- ficer of Zinox, a local computer manufacturer, estimated the market in Nigeria to be around 100,000 computer sales per year. He notes that “Zinox’s share is 25%, Omatech (another local manufacturer) is 5-7%, and Hewlett-Packard leads with 30% of the market share”
(Odwumfo, 2004). These revelations are encouraging, and the spread of computers in the country, particularly the availability of homemade computers sold at about half the price of imports, will help improve the availability of this primary facility for e-government. Also, the country seems to be addressing its poor electric power generation capacity. The President of Nigeria suggested that within the first four years of his administration, electric power generation has gone up 250%, from 1400 mw to 4800 mw (Obasanjo, 2004).
Furthermore, some specific e-government projects were commissioned in the country. The Nigerian federal government and some state governments have committed resources to improving government-to-government services. For example, the Public Service Network (PSNet) is a project that hopes to provide broadband Internet access to the State Secretariat and the agencies of state ministries in order to facilitate fast and efficient governance through ICT (Ajayi, 2003b; Ikhemuemhe, 2004b).
Similarly, the federal government has created public awareness for e-government with its mobile Internet units (MIU). These are locally manufactured buses equipped with commu- nication infrastructure such VSAT, computer terminals, printers, and so forth. They travel from town-to-town disseminating e-government information to Nigerians (Figures 1 and
Movng Towards E-Government n a Developng Socety
2). The MIUs serve as an awareness campaign and utility tools. Additionally, NITDA has been involved with the development of the Nigerian Keyboard. This is an adaptation of technology for local use, which is vital in the success of e-government initiatives (InfoDev, 2004). Illiteracy is reported to be high in Nigeria (CIA: World Factbook, 2004; Patel, n.d.), but a closer look of the phenomenon presents a different perspective. Many of these “illiter- ates” (in English) are literate in their native tongue, and, in some cases (for those attending Koranic schools), read Arabic as well. The adapted keyboard provides an opportunity for many to participate in any emerging e-government. The Nigerian Keyboard project could ensure that all citizens become active in the mobilization of critical mass for e-government in Nigeria.
The Prospects and Benefits of.E-Government.for.Nigeria
Some have suggested that IT-related projects, including e-government initiatives, may not be suitable for societies in SSA where informality thrives (Ojo, 1996). However, e-govern- ment is gaining prominence across Africa (see Heeks, 2002; Kaaya, 2003; UNPAN, 2005).
As was discussed, e-government is about seizing the opportunity to enhance governance through improved access to government information using ICT. Nigeria might benefit from e-government initiatives (in its advanced forms) in many ways. The climate of political in- stability that has bedeviled the country could be checked through e-government endeavors.
How? Inefficiency, poor accountability, and a lack of transparency are among the reasons why undemocratic leaders in SSA survive (e.g., Idowu, 1999; Ifeka, 2000; Ifidon, 1996).
Properly implemented e-government initiatives could help improve the culture, lack of transparency, and accountability seen in Nigeria. For example, e-government initiatives were used in India to fight corruption (InfoDev, 2004).
Figure 1. Mobile Internet unit (MIU) Figure 2. Inside the mobile Internet unit (MIU)
160 Ifinedo
When government data resources are visible to several stakeholders in digital formats, the manipulation of these resources by unscrupulous functionaries may become less attrac- tive. Furthermore, Wimmer and Traunmuller (2001) contend that the main objectives of e-government include restructuring administrative functions and processes as well as the monitoring of government performance. The leadership in Nigeria hopes that e-government initiatives might help it improve its governance (see excerpts of the President’s speech).
In Nigeria, anecdotal evidence suggests that poor monitoring by government officials can lead to inconveniences such as a service administered to several parties simultaneously. For instance, a minister in Nigeria has publicly acknowledged that e-government would help check problems of multiple land allocation in the capital city of Nigeria (IFG.CC, 2005). In the same vein, others have suggested that e-government can help solve the problems with revenue collection in Nigeria (Ifinedo, 2004). Some multinationals and their conniving government officials are exploiting inefficiency in government services to defraud the na- tion of valuable revenues (Igbikiowubo, 2005). An improved service, supported by digital facilities, could be helpful to government and business. For instance, Mauritius has reported a huge success through its online taxation systems (InfoDev, 2004).
E-government can reduce or overcome barriers of coordination and cooperation within the Nigerian public administration. Centralized databases and standards could become available to several government agencies. Interoperability between government agencies increase and duplication of services may decrease. A poor country like Nigeria could benefit from such cost effectiveness in governance when common standards and timely data resources are shared. The improved services may enhance decision making in governance. The ongoing PSNet project in Nigeria is clearly a step in the right direction.
E-government may also spawn other opportunities for the nation. For example, the Nigerian society will be transformed when information technology and knowledge become wide- spread. It is important that Nigeria integrate into the changing world where information and knowledge increasingly become the differentiating criteria (Ifinedo, 2005). Thus, new skills will be learned from the emergence of ICT use in governance that might better prepare the country for the changing world, or help improve Nigeria’s position in the globally networked world, which at the present leaves much to be desired (Ifinedo, 2005). E-government and related projects in many countries around the world are known to be contributing, either directly or indirectly, towards the total transformation of those societies (Accenture, 2004;
UNPAN, 2005; Watson & Mundy, 2001). Importantly, the Nigerian economy benefited im- mensely through the creation of new jobs following the introduction of mobile telephony in the country (Ifinedo, 2004; ITU, 2004). It is possible that similar benefits could emerge from e-government initiatives, going by the trend of Cybercafés diffusion in Nigeria (Aja- kaye & Kanu, 2004).
Conclusion
In this chapter, we chose Nigeria to discuss some of the problems inhibiting the emergence of e-government in the SSA region. The main problems facing the emergence of e-gov- ernment in Nigeria have their roots in socioeconomic inadequacies that were known to
Movng Towards E-Government n a Developng Socety plague several countries in the SSA region. Some of the problems discussed include poor organizational skills, inadequate infrastructural support, and poor or unavailable human capital resources.
Further, we highlighted some of the progressive initiatives undertaken in Nigeria aimed at providing an enabling environment for the emergence of e-government. This discourse noted plans and projects in Nigeria such as the development of a national IT policy, liberalizing the telecommunication sector, and IT awareness campaigns with innovations such as mobile Internet units (MIU) and the Public Service Network (PSNet). Despite these efforts, we indicated that e-government practices in Nigeria are infantile — government Web services currently provide one-way service delivery. However, efforts are underway to improve e-government services in the country. To that end, a partnership between the government and private stakeholders was formed. Importantly, we noticed that the leadership in Nigeria believes that e-government could become a useful tool to provide efficient and effective services. The Nigerian policy makers appear to believe accountability and transparency in governance can be enhanced through e-government. The chapter discussed the prospects and benefits of e-government to the Nigerian society. We suggested ways in which e-government can transform public services by reengineering the fundamental relationship between the Nigerian government and its citizens.
This chapter provides lessons for other developing countries in the SSA region. First, we noticed that the political will of the Nigerian leadership was vital in the creation of an enabling environment such as favorable national ICT policies and the emergence of e-government initiatives. Second, the Nigerian government promoted a series of plans and initiatives aimed at preparing the citizenry for the change that e-government might bring. These positive steps taken by the government are encouraging and may help to reduce future resistance, while simultaneously generating critical mass for e-government. Third, the Nigerian government followed the directives of various international bodies and formed necessary partnerships with other entities (UN ICT TASK Force, 2004). The Nigerian government sought funding for its e-government project from local financial institutions and technical expertise from IT multinationals. Fourth, the Nigerian government adopted favorable reforms and economic policies such as the deregulation and liberalization of the telecommunication sector. As other nations in the region prepare for the emergence of e-government, they might consider some of the efforts undertaken in Nigeria.
Finally, the revelations from Nigeria regarding e-government and ICT policy confirm that some cultures tend to follow or take initiatives from those who have power or leadership roles (Anakwe et al., 1999, 2002; Anandarajan et al., 2002; Hofstede, 2001). As was dis- cussed here, progress occurred on the ICT and e-government fronts in Nigeria only when the President of Nigeria supported such causes. Other factors, including external influences, could also account for the changes in the country pertaining to these issues. Nonetheless, we would like to propose that e-government and other IT-related endeavors spread more favorably in the SSA when the region’s leadership accepts that their citizens expect them to take bold steps in these areas. In Nigeria, the current president championed the cause of new ICT policy changes and e-government. This is worthy of emulation in comparable nations in the region. Future study on e-government in Nigeria may add to this present discussion by investigating how commitments from state leadership can enhance e-government ef- forts. Particularly, research could investigate how the interests of the various stakeholders in Nigerian e-government project are managed. Research efforts can be directed towards
162 Ifinedo
examining the perceptions of Nigerians regarding e-government plans and projects such as the PSNet and MIU.
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