Bridging the digital divide in Nigeria: a study of internet use in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria
| Published date | 31 July 2007 |
| Date | 31 July 2007 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120710774495 |
| Pages | 355-365 |
| Author | Okon Edet Ani,Chika Uchendu,Emmanuel U. Atseye |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Bridging the digital divide in
Nigeria: a study of internet use in
Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria
Okon Edet Ani, Chika Uchendu and Emmanuel U. Atseye
Library Department, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Abstract
Purpose – The paper aims to discuss and investigate the prevalence of digital divide in Nigeria,
using University of Calabar in Calabar Metropolis as a case study.
Design/methodology/approach – Validated questionnaires were administered to internet users at
designated cyber cafe
´in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Findings – The findings of the survey show the prevalence of various forms of digital divide such as
gender, marital status, age and educational level of the internet users in Nigeria.
Practical implication – The federal/state governments as well as university managements in
Nigeria should formulate relevant policies to reduce various forms of digital divide that are prevalent
in the Nigeria.
Originality/value – The paper recommends the need to effectively address the issue of digital divide
in whatever form in Nigeria towards global integration in the digital economy.
Keywords Internet, Userstudies, Communication technologies, Nigeria
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Society todayis characterized and dominatedby applications of modern informationand
communication technology (ICT) virtually in all aspects of human endeavors for
information access, processing and dissemination. Consequently, the impact of ICT
utilization has cut across economics, politics, education, medicine, and other fields of
human development. Through the use of ICT, modern society has been described as an
information age and the knowledge economy. Thus access to ICT, the internet
technology in particular, has provided people with a foundation for building up and
applying knowledge globally and particularly in developing nations. The World Bank
(2002) in its report contended that, in the rapidly evolving electronic environment,
developing countries face opportunity costs if they delay greater access to and use of
information infrastructure and information technology (IT), which together make up
ICT. According to the report, ICT is the key for economic development and growth; it
offers opportunities for global integration while retaining the identity of traditional
societies. ICT can also increase the economic and social being of poor people, empower
individuals and communities; and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the public
sector. However, in Nigeria, there is a disparity in the level of accessibility to ICT
between the private and publicsectors of the economy. In most public institutions:such
as universities, polytechnics, primary and post-primary schools, and government
ministries,access to ICT, if not completely lacking,is inadequate. This trend is confirmed
by the World Bank (2002) report that, although growth in the use of ICT in developing
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Bridging the
digital divide in
Nigeria
355
Received 22 October 2006
Accepted 16 January 2007
Library Management
Vol. 28 No. 6/7, 2007
pp. 355-365
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120710774495
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