4 th – 5 th October, 2002Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected] Bridging the Digital Divide The...

4th – 5th October, 2002Prof. G.O. Ajayi - [email protected]

Bridging the Digital DivideBridging the Digital DivideThe Nigerian Case StudyThe Nigerian Case Study

By Prof. G. O. Ajayi,

Director General/CEONational Information Technology Development Agency

Federal Ministry of Science and Technology

AtDeveloping Country Access on Online Scientific Publishing

Sustainable Alternatives

ICTPTrieste, Italy.

4th – 5th October, 2002


A Quotable quote….

“The Internet holds the greatest promise humanity has known for long-distance learning and universal access to quality education. It offers the best chance yet for developing countries to take their rightful place in the global economy. And so our mission must be to ensure access as widely as possible. If we do not, the gulf between the haves and the have-nots will be the gulf between the technology-rich and the technology-poor.”

Kofi AnnanSecretary-General, United NationsScience, 19 February, 1999, page 1079


More than More than 3/43/4 of the capital of the capital cities in African countries cities in African countries have developed some form of have developed some form of Internet accessInternet access..

Has 12% of World population, Has 12% of World population, but 2% of World’s main but 2% of World’s main telephone lines.telephone lines.

Average level of income is the Average level of income is the lowest, but the cost of lowest, but the cost of installing telephone line is the installing telephone line is the highest.highest.

About 70-80 percent of About 70-80 percent of Africa's population resides Africa's population resides outside major cities, and local outside major cities, and local dial access facilities for them dial access facilities for them are still very rare are still very rare

Internet connectivity is 0.3% Internet connectivity is 0.3% of the world-wide of the world-wide connectivity.connectivity.

Recent Statistics has it that Recent Statistics has it that there are about 3 million there are about 3 million Internet users in Africa with Internet users in Africa with only 1 million outside South only 1 million outside South Africa.Africa.


ICT Position of Africa

ICT has provided enormous opportunities for development all around the globe

However, the African continent has not been able to benefit much from the information revolution because of the dearth of facilities

– The telecommunication infrastructure is rather inadequate to meet the challenges of the information age

Under the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), priority has been given to the development of information and communications technology, recognising it as a major vehicle for African development.


SITUATION OF ICT IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS SITUATION OF ICT IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEI) IN AFRICA(HEI) IN AFRICAFunctions of HEIs (J. Daly) Include:Functions of HEIs (J. Daly) Include:

Education (traditional, distance education & others)(Research & Development)Knowledge Creation, Organization & ManagementKnowledge Gate KeepingArchival & Library ServicesManagement & University administrationSocio-economic-technological ServicesOvercoming the Digital DivideHuman Resources Development in generalTechnological Gate-KeepingTechnological Transfer & Adaptation


Levels of ICT and Internet Development Levels of ICT and Internet Development in HEIsin HEIs

Single Computer with Dial-Up facilities Local Area Network (LAN) in a location for all users Local Area Network Campus Area Network Library LAN Internet Connectivity of Campus Network VSAT and wireless facilities for quick deployment


State and Use of ICT in HEIsState and Use of ICT in HEIs

Poor availability and quality of infrastructure Inadequate Institutional Capacity Inadequate Human Resource Capacity Low bandwidth of connectivity Poor penetration of ICT into HEI’s Poor penetration of ICT into HEI’s

Some ObstaclesSome Obstacles Absence of NICI policy to take care of HEI’s Gross under-utilization of existing infrastructures Poor telecommunications facilities Electricity supply and other basic infrastructures


Uses in ICT in HEIs

• Teaching, Learning and Research;• Contents provision;• Professional tool for future labour market;• Administration and Operational Management;• Tactical and Strategic Management;• Collection, dissemination and exchange of information;• Support for conduct and management of research;• Transformation of library to an Information collection,

processing, compiling and dissemination unit;• Minimal usage of IT currently locally in the University and externally;


Library in the Information AgeLibrary in the Information Age

• Transformation into a new information services unit

• Electronic acquisition and serials control• Electronic inter library loan• Electronic circulation functions

• Gradual trends toward library digitization• Emergence of library information networks• Connectivity to campus intranet and Internet• Journals on CD-ROMs• Electronic Journals

• Use of digital libraries in Africa and worldwide


Comparative Situation

• Over 200 universities in the US have 45Mbps Internet connectivity• 85% of primary schools have 1.5Mbps Internet connectivity• ONLY a few African universities have 64kbps and higher

bandwidth

Integration of IT into University Functions• Entry (teachers teach students to use IT)• Adoption (teachers use IT to support traditional instruction)• Adaptation (teachers use IT to enrich curricula)• Appropriation (IT is integrated and used for its unique capabilities)• Invention (Development of new learning environment using IT as a tool).


Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on ICT in HEIs in AfricaICT in HEIs in Africa

ICT provides powerful tools and new paradigm for execution of the functions of HEIs – education, knowledge creation, knowledge organization and management, knowledge gate keeping, archival and library services as well as socio-economic-technological

services to the community; A lot of similarity in the HEIs studied; Need to transform HEIs from traditional role to a more demanding

role catalyzed by the ICT; Donor financial & technical assistance , especially in HRD were

significant to the success of the projects;


Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on Some Findings about the on-line Discussion on ICT in HEIs in AfricaICT in HEIs in Africa- contd- contd

New curricula necessary, which is learner centered; Integration of ICT into learning, research and management is still

in its infancy in most of the cases Internet based degree programmes , and Internet based open

Universities could constitute challenges to the traditional brickand mortar traditional universities

ICT strategic policy, plans and implementation mandatory HEIs can be marginalized by global on-line institutions Urgent need to integrate ICT into learning, research & management Transformation of the library into new Information Services Unit


The Nigerian Situation

Nigeria, with a population of 120 million people is one of the fastest growing telecommunications market in Africa.

There are 36 States and 774 Local Government Areas. Currently, the GSM operators are enjoying a record of more than 1 million

subscribers in less than 1 a year of operation; Access to Internet has been limited to the major cities and most times through dial-

up connection from smaller cities at exorbitant rates and very unstable service. With more than 60million Nigerian living outside the major cities, Internet

connectivity is a major issue that should be given special attention in the IT industry.

Without adequate connections to advanced telecommunications infrastructure and services, many rural, and suburban communities may not be able to fully participate in the emerging information economy.

This is a trend that has to change in the near future.


The Nigerian Situation (contd).

To address the problem of inadequate ICT infrastructure, the Federal Government of Nigeria has taken the following steps:

• Launching of the new National Telecommunications Policy in September 2000 to further liberalize the sector.

• Declaration of information and communication technologies as a national priority project.

• Approval of the National policy on Information Technology and subsequent establishment of a National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in March/April 2001, as the implementing agency.

• The launching of the Nigerian Satellite System programme by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSRDA).


Developments in the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology Sector

Privatisation and Liberalisation – Plans are on to privatise the national carrier- NITEL

Second National Operator has been licensed GSM Licence

– Four GSM operators have been given licenses Fixed Wireless Access Spectrum Allocation

– 34 operators have just been given licenses covering all the 36 states, including the FCT-Abuja


Nigerian National IT PolicyThe Vision

To make Nigeria an IT capable country in Africa and a key player in the Information Society by the year 2005, using IT as the engine for sustainable development and global competitiveness.

The Mission is to Use “IT” for:EducationEducationCreation of WealthCreation of WealthPoverty EradicationPoverty EradicationJob CreationJob CreationGlobal CompetitivenessGlobal Competitiveness


Sectoral Application of the IT Policy

Human Resource Development Infrastructure Governance Research and Development Health Agriculture Urban and Rural Development Trade and Commerce Arts, Culture and Tourism National Security and Law Enforcement Fiscal Measures


Implementation Strategy

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Satellite dish

Institutional CapacityBuilding

Human Resource Capacity

Building

InfrastructureCapacityBuilding


Implementing the IT Policy

Changing the face of IT development in Nigeria is a move that needs the collaborative effort of both the Private sector, the public and international initiatives;

Baseline Studies will be conducted in various areas of IT Development; Strategic Planning inline with National Development Plan;

The challenge is so great that it cannot be handled by the agency alone. NITDA is therefore ready to work together with all in order to achieve the

missions and visions of the policy;


A Brief History of NITDA

NITDA took off on April 18th 2001. Started from Minister of S&T Conference room. Moved to boy’s quarters of Biotechnology

Resource Centre, Parakou Crescent. Moved to the Corporate Headquarters, in Sept.

2001. Started with a Staff Strength of 2. Now has some substantial number of staff (over

40) for our operations.


Some achievements of NITDA

Collaborations with the private sector to foster the growth of the IT industry in Nigeria.

Belief in Public Private Partnership (PPP). Collaborations with International Organisations

– UNDP – TICAD Initiative– UNESCO Plan of Action– The Nigerian-American Information Initiative (NAII)– CISCO Agreement– Embassy Initiatives– NDI on the National Assembly IT Projects– EDDI Community Resource Centre Project

Collaboration with Foreign governments– French government ICT initiative and the Italian Government

e-government initiative.– Japanese Government

Collaborations with the Public Sector


Some achievements of NITDA (contd)

Achievements– Government Portal under construction. This will

facilitate the development of G2G, G2C, C2G, interactions.

– Development of an indigenous computer keyboard for national use.

– Development of the National Information Infrastructure Backbone (NIIB)

– Provision of Internet Access to the Presidential Network.

– Public Service Information Network– Establishment of Enterprise Technology Centre at the

Federal Secretariat Complex


Focus for the Year

National Information Infrastructure Backbone (NIIB). NITDA/State Governments Partnership for VSAT Internet

Installations and Broadband Wireless Facilities Rural Internet Resource Centres (RIRC) Mobile Internet Units (MIU). Baseline Studies. E-government. Human Resources Development. IT Parks IT integration into sectors: civil service, military/security

services, judiciary, health, etc


The Nature of theNational Information Infrastructure Backbone (NIIB)

Comm. TowerSatellite dish







Satellite


Comm. Tower

Comm. Tower

Comm. Tower

Comm. Tower

Comm. Tower

State Information Infrastructure Backbone (SIIB)


Other Projects

i. Open University and Distance Learning for Human Resource Development

ii. Virtual Library Projectiii. Rural Community Centresiv. Mobile Community Centres for the rural areasv. Local Content Development on the Internetvi. Plans to utilize IT for tele-medicine


Nigeria and Distance Education.

The first significant approach to distance education in Nigeria started with the establishment of the National Open University (NOU) in July, 1993.

Though it was suspended, the law establishing the university was not abrogated.

Recently, the Federal Ministry of Education has come up with an implementation plan for the National Open and Distance Learning Programmes with its strategies planned around the resuscitation of the National Open University (NOU).


Challenges to Distance and Online Education in Nigeria.

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

Radio tower

EducatedWorkforce

Institutional Capacity

Development

Human Resource Capacity

Development

Infrastructure Capacity


Infrastructure Capacity.

Distance and online education will require the development of a network of ICT infrastructure all over the country.

This can be achieved through:– Increasing the teledensity.– The availability of large bandwidth of ICT facilities like fibre optic

network, ISDN.– Creating a network of VSAT stations in strategic locations in the

country.– Most prospective students in Nigeria lack access to the Internet

and www.


Challenges to Human Capacity

There is an acute shortage of skilled Distance and Online Instructor professionals.

Most lack content from their homes and where these are available, are quite expensive to maintain.

Many Nigerians still lack the basic computing skills.

Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity in Distance Education:

– national workshop on distance education organized by the office of the Special Adviser on Education to the president, in September 2000 with the theme “Evolving a National Policy on Distance”.


Recent Efforts towards developing human capacityin Distance Education

Amongst other things the workshop proposed a materials development workshop.

A follow-up workshop was held in June, 2001 co-sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja office of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO), Dakar, Senegal-based UNESCO BREDA (Regional Office for Education in Africa), office of the Special Adviser on Education and the Education Tax Fund (ETF).

It drew more than 250 participants from the primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors, the ministry and its parastatals. There were also international participants from the Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia. One of the resource persons, came from the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE).


Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity in Distance Education (contd)

During the June workshop, participants were trained in 'Writing Distance Education materials, Use of Visuals, Development of CD-ROM, online materials, Choosing Appropriate Technology, among others.

Sequel to the workshop, a National Open University Course Materials Development meeting was held in March in Lokoja Kogi State. The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) sent three experts down from Canada.


Recent Efforts towards developing human capacity in Distance Education (contd)

The participants (over 125 top-rate academics from Nigeria's institutions of higher learning) were drilled on:

– Systematic ways of developing and designing instructional materials and courses for distance learning.

– Seven Critical Elements of Instructional Design for Open Learning– Preparing Instructional Materials and Delivery of Open Learning.– Evaluation of Open Learning Programmes, as well as open questions and

discussions on open learning.

The participants were expected to have developed 183 courses will be written and 235 others adapted in 54 programmes carefully chosen to kick-start the re-establishment of the National Open University in Lagos.


Efforts towards developing Institutional Capacity

Since early 1960’s, the Nation has been committed to remedying the deficiency in the colonial education strategy targeted to only a privileged few.

In 1976, government launched the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme to catalyse socio-economic development using education as a tool.

In 1977, the National Policy on Education was launched with a clear declaration from the government that “education is the most important instrument of change in any society. Any fundamental change in the intellectual and social outlook of any society has to be preceded by an educational revolution”.


The National Open University.

The National Open University is designed to increase the access of all Nigerians to formal and non-formal education in a manner convenient to their circumstances.

It would cater for the continuous educational development of professionals in various sectors.

The Delivery method for :NOU is the best way to reach a leaner through the use of technologies that learner already has or can easily be made available.


Academic Programmes to be run at NOU

These are grouped into logical degree structures under the following schools.

Information and Computer Services. Agricultural Sciences Business Administration and Management Studies. Engineering & Public Studies. Education. Science and Technology Health Sciences Arts & Social Sciences. Legal Studies Vocational & Continuing Education.


Obafemi Awolowo University

Academic Network Project

OAUNET - Current Design Computer Networking Project

Overview of Network


OAUNet – The Obafemi Awolowo University Academic Network

In 1994/1995, the ICTP in collaboration with the Obafemi Awolowo University established the OAUNet in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, as a pilot academic information network.

This was the first university network in Nigeria. OAUNet has grown from 2 subnets to over 15 subnets in a few

years. Nigeria’s largest network with over 1000 computers and more than

6000 users. ICTP programme has contributed to the development of ICT in

Nigeria in the following ways:– Nigerian Universities Network in capacity and infrastructure

development.– Assistance to other universities.– Development of the National IT Policy


OAUNet – contd.

Private sector involvement in the university by establishing cybercafes.

The university network is also used for capacity building, training and infrastructure development.

The Obafemi Awolowo University is presently Nigeria’s largest single collection of IT capable persons – a critical mass of ICT experts.


OAUNET - Main Network Diagram

MainHUB

sc tech cs

usb chs agric

NC

FirstGeneration

SecondGeneration

ThirdGeneration

Keysc - sciencestech - Technologycs - Computer Scienceusb - Secretariatchs - Health ScienceAgric- AgricultureNC - NACETEMOA - OAU Teaching hospital

OA

Planned

WaveLan2Mbps

VSAT Earth Station

256 Kbps

Dial upMODEM33 Kbps

Packet and HF radio links to rural Health establishments in the area

ThirdGeneration

Several Subnets and CyberCafes


Main HUB or network

Firewall

Proxy Server

Mail Server

ModemServer

Backup Server

InterSubnetRouter

WLAN Antenna

WEB Server

Terminal Equipment

CISCOrouter

10 base 2 Ethernet Backbone

Pentium III PCs

IntraWEB Server


Technical Assistance to other Universities

Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) University of Lagos, Yaba; Lagos State University, Badagry; University of Agriculture, Abeokuta University of Ilorin; Dept. of Physics, University of Ibadan and The College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti River State University of Science and Technology


Recommendations

In view of the success stories of the ICTP pilot ICT programmes in Nigeria and other developing countries,

The ICTP programme on information and communication technologies should be fully restored, including:

– The R & D in ICT– School on Radio Use for Information and Communication Technology.– Establishment of pilot academic information network in developing

countries. Junior Associates, Associates and Senior Associates programme in ICT

should be supported by the ICTP. ICT plays a major cross-cutting role in Science and Technology R&D; hence

ICTP should recognise it as such and accord it necessary recognition. For sustainability and revival of Science and Technology R&D in developing

countries, ICTP must support ICT development in the developing countries.


Thank you

Contact Address: Prof. G.O. Ajayi Director General National Information Technology Development Agency Plot 695 Port Harcourt Crescent Off Gimbiya Street Area 11 Garki – Abuja

Tel: 09 – 3142925Fax: 09 – 3142924Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.nitda.gov.ng

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