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Search | What's New?| Site Map | Discussion Lists Case Study Effectiveness of Informatics Policy Instruments in Africa: Nigeriaby G.A. Alabi, April 1994Contents1. Introduction 2. Global Developments in Informatics 3. Information/Informatics Policies in Nigeria 4. General Trends in Informatics Activities in Nigeria 5. Technological Developments in Nigeria 6. Application of Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria 7. Strategies for the implementation of Science and Technology Policy in Nigeria 8. Databank Activities in Nigeria 9. Computer Literacy and Computer Utilization in Nigeria 10. Installation of Computers in Schools 11. Informatics Programme at the Tertiary level 12. Establishment of MIS in Nigerian Universities 13. Recent Developments in Informatics in Nigeria 14. Regional Informatics Activities in Nigeria: RINAF and CGNET15. Infomatics in Organisations and Industries 16. Professional Ethics in Informatics 17. Informatics Activities in Ministries 18. Development Plans in Informatics in Government Ministries 19. Telematics Activities in Nigeria 20. Recommendations for Formulation of an Effective National Policy on Informatics Informatics Policy Instruments in Nigeria. Objectives 1. To carry out a survey of the instruments of National Informatics Policies which have been implemented in Nigeria. 2. To obtain empirical data on the objectives of these national informatics policy instruments and on the extent to which they have achieved their objectives and reasons for success or failure to do so. 3. Survey of Informatics Resources and Constraints 4. Procedures for Informatics Training,Education and Employment 5. Fiscal incentives and investment Policies Activities 1. Collection and Analysis of Documentation on Informatics Policies in Nigeria. 2. Analysing level of technological development in Nigeria (identifying level of technological development) 3. Development of Research Plan 4. Determining data elements to be covered in documenting policies/policy instruments. Literature Sources Consulted 1. National Policy on Science and Technology Lagos, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, 1986. 36p. 2. The National Health Policy and Strategy to achieve health for all Nigerians. Lagos Federal Ministry of Health, October 1988. 54p. 3. Agricultural Policy for Nigeria. Lagos, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development, 1986. 65p. 4. Policy guidelines on energy for Nigeria. Lagos, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, 1987. 29p. 5. National Policy on Computer Education. Lagos, Federal Ministry of Education, 1988. 79p. 6. Industrial Policy of Nigeria: Policies, incentives, guidelines and industrial framework. Lagos, Federal Ministry of Industries, [1989] 56p. 7. Revised guidelines on acquisition of foreign technology under decreee 70 of 1979. Lagos, The National Office of Industrial Property, 1989. 41p. Executive Summary 1. The arrival of computer systems and technology in Nigeria preceded the availability of computer skill and knowledge in our educational system. 2. The need for computer education came as a response to the demands of the public and private sectors of the economy. 3. Due to the strong job market for degree holders in Computer Science, fewer graduates continue with postgraduate studies in Computer Science. 4. To fill in the gaps requires continuing education which now abounds in every part of the country. 5. Because Nigeria operates a free market economy, there is practically no control on the inflow of computer hardware and software into our market. 6. No unified system of data collection, processing and utilization until very recently in Agriculture, Medicine and Banking operations. The government, through the Federal Ministry of Education has already adopted a plan to introduce computing curriculum at the secondary school level. Microcomputing is now being introduced in all the Federal Government colleges as a first step. A central agency is also being established to co- ordinate activities of government in planning, acquisition development and application of IT. 7. All the National Development Plans produced up to 1985 as well as the National Rolling Plans, 1989-1991, 1990-92 and 1992-1994 failed to accord due recognition to the value of real information as opposed to information dissemination for propaganda and public enlightenment purposes derivable from newspapers, radio and television. 8. There are in Nigeria today more than 500 Registered Computer companies 200 of which are under the umbrella of the Microcomputer Association of Nigeria (MIVAN) and their activities centre mainly on:
9. Communication plays a very vital role in informatics activities, hence a National Informatics Policy when eventually established must be viewed and implemented as complementary to the existing National Communication Policy. With the establishment of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) in December 1992, the telecommunications industries in Nigeria have now been completely privatised. As of April 1994, 40 private companies have been officially licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission to operate telecommunications services in the country. 10. There is presently no National Computer Committee to work out modalities for informatics development in different sectors of the economy. Many of the informatics efforts in the country have been at individual or institutional levels. There has been no proper co-ordinated informatics development at national level. The proposal for this National Information Policy is still in the pipeline and judging by trends over the past two decades, it requires a lot of mounting pressures to effect its promulgation. 11. There are presently 18.7 million students enrolled in over 39.7 thousand institutions at various levels and types. Of the 18.7 million students in schools, less than 2 million have access to formal computer activities except in a very few private primary and secondary schools (about 1% of total number of schools) which are elitist in their set-ups and charge fees ranging from N20,000 to N50,000 compared with an average of N500 per annum charged in public schools. 12. The application of IT in Nigeria is much more extensive and noticeable in the private sector. The areas of application covers nearly all the activities of the private sector. The major users include the banks, oil industry, insurance houses, consultants and manufacturers. This trend is still growing. A number of instituions in the country especially some of the Federal Universities of Technology now offer courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mathematics and Computer Science; Computer and digital systems leading to the awards of B.Tech., M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees. 13. The local sourcing of industrial raw materials in Nigeria has increased since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). But this fact has not significantly contributed to the technonogical development of the country mainly because of increased local cost of importing those inputs that cannot yet be produced locally. 14. Now that the Nigerian Government has a workable national science and technology policy which embraces the objectives of industrial development, the only critical challenge facing the country is to evolve a Science and Technology Information System policy. 15. Installing computers in Nigeria today as
well as servicing it, obtaining spare parts, and buying supplies are substantial problems
almost everywhere. Securing the appropriate customs formalities is also a problem. It can
take months to clear equipment from customs after its arrival in the country. 17. In the area of telematics, Nigeria presently has a telephone penetration of 0.4 (i.e. 4 telephone lines to 100 inhabitants). Prior to May 1992, Nigeria's telephone services were restricted to conventional telephone and telex/telegram. With the NITEL now a fully commercialized autonomous company, there is now a tremendous restructuring of the telecommunications industry and management rationalization for accelerated telecommunications. 18. It is observed that effective information handling today can no longer be divorced from appropriate technological and telecommunications infrastructures. In particular, informatics will probably dominate the information scene for a long time to come. Informatics Policy Instruments in Nigeria Introduction One of the identified agents through which the world will constantly experience change is 'technology'. In the business of trying to make information available, in the right form, to the right users both at personal and organizational levels, and at the right time, the bid to cope with the great flood of information has led to the need for a more sophisticated way of handling information faster and better. The outcome of these efforts has brought the facilities for total electronic communication. In the developed world, this technology is felt at every home while, most developing nations, including Nigeria, are just at the threshold of imbibing the new order of things. The various computers and peripherals in our midst today are clear evidences of Information Technology explosion. Low-cost, computer-based technologies for communication and information management are available today and have already proven to be effective in international scientific, business, educational, and government institutions. With the use of computers, several trends are now coming together that give the information or communication professional unprecedented opportunities to develop innovative and effective information systems. In Nigeria today, and indeed the world, there is an evolving recognition of the importance of linkages among institutions, researchers and other participants in the information exchange process. In organisational settings and in the educational sector, government response towards this new trend is remarkable. For decision-makers - executives, managers and policy makers, for example, the management of information becomes especially important. Filtering mechanisms must therefore be developed to direct appropriate, timely information to them with a minimum of diversion to irrelevant details. Technology plays a dual role here because of its capacity to increase and diversify information flows, as well as its capabilities for sorting, reducing, storing and targeting information for use on highly individualized basis. Global Developments in Informatics During a recent conference titled "Africa's first Health Informatics conference" held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria, under the auspices of the International Medical Informatics Association, Geneva Switzerland, and the OAU Computer Science Department in April 1993, the Director of Informatics and Telematics at the World Health Organization (WHO) Geneva, Dr. Sallah Mandil1; defined the emergence of informatics in the last few years to mean - computing and communications methodology and technology. At the same seminar Dr. Khalil Moidu2 of the Yale University School of Medicine explained that the term informatics is the way by which computers can help in collection, storage and presentation of information. At another forum, Paul E. Mugambi(3) recognised that while information technology is the technology that involves the storage, processing, retrieval and dissemination of information by the use of computers and communications networks, informatics is the science of this technology, which consists of computer science of both hardware and software, and also embraces communication engineering. Semenyuk(4), in his popular book `Informatics: Achievements, Prospects, Possibilities, however cites four main aspects in the present-day interpretation of informatics. According to him: Informatics is the totality of computerised information technology; Informatics is a specific part of the national economic infrastructure including the whole sphere of automated processing and technological utilisation of information; Informatics is a scientific branch studying the processes of information transmission and means for its automatic processing; and Informatics is the theory of scientific information (i.e. information science) and scientific-information activity, focusIn its effort at narrowing the widening gap in the use of information technology between the developed and developing countries, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at its 22nd General Conference decided to launch an Intergovernmental Informatics Programme (IIP) with the main tasks of assisting: 1. in the establishment of national policies to incorporate informatics in national development plans. 2. the informatics specialists, decision makers, users and instructors with a view to introducing and spreading informatics in the education system at all levels. 3. on the establishment and strengthening of informtics infrastructure, maintenance services, local networks and telecommunications and 4. in the promotion of research in informatics and scientific research using facilities offered by informatics4. Other aspects of informatics apart from training include: (i) the development of data bases; (ii) establishment of networks for information exchange (iii) production of software particularly for educational system. In setting out to investigate informatics policies in Africa, vis-a-vis Nigeria, this document takes a critical look at the situation in some other African countries and the objectives of the International Informatics Policy (IIP). One of the recently reported case studies was that of Uganda which set up a National committee charged with the responsibility of promoting informatics for development in Uganda. In Nigeria, no such committee existed until
very recently through ad hoc committees to work out modalities for informatics development
in different sectors of the economy in addition to informatics programmes at the
universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education - both federal and state. Of relevance to the much awaited national policy on information is the National Communication Policy of 1987(6). The policy, according to Aiyepeku(7), is a package for the complete mobilization of all the structures of human interaction, information changes and sharing of life experiences in the society. The major focus is the propagation of national goals but objectives, scope and coverage of its information content is limited to the narrow area of information dissemination. As observed recently, all the National Development Plans produced up to 1985 as well as the National Rolling Plans, 1989-1991, 1990-92 and 1992-1994 failed to accord due recognition to the value of real information as opposed to information dissemination for propaganda and public enlightenment purposes derivable from newspapers, radio and television. With the Computer Association of Nigeria now being accorded a professional status under Decree No. 49 of 1993, the next move is for the government to establish the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria. The Council when established will take over the full control of the regulation of informatics activities in Nigeria. The functions of this council will be similar to those of other Councils. For example, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) established by Decree No. 23 of 1988 with the power to determine the standards of knowledge and skill to be attained by persons seeking to become members of medical or dental profession and review those standards from time to time. The Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) has been putting up its papers for the establishment of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria whose sole pre-occupation will also be to regulate the alarming rate of the proliferation of computer training programmes in Nigeria. The council, when fully operational, is expected to draw guidelines that will constitute the National Informatics Policy such as -
Participation in International Informatics programmes and services. While acknowledging the fact that the Nigerian Government has placed more emphasis on mass communication type of information development, it is essential to ensure that the Computer Professionals Registration Council prays the government to appreciate the value of investing equitably in the machinery for propanganda and public enlightenment, as well as in the production, organization and utilization of 'hard' information (which informatics encourages) for development. While still awaiting the formulation of a National Informatics Policy in Nigeria, it will be of assistance when formulating such policy if the opinion of experts in information policies can be taken into consideration. For example, for any development process, it is vital to have horizontal information channels that activate all sectors of the population and facilitate access to decision-making for otherwise excluded sectors. It is important to emphasize that effective information handling today can no longer be divorced from appropriate technological and telecommunications infrastructures. In particular, informatics will probably dominate the information scene for a long time to come. Communication plays a very vital role in informatics activities, hence a National Informatics Policy when eventually established must be viewed and implemented as complementary to the existing National Communication Policy. General Tends in Informatics Activities in Nigeria There are in Nigeria today more than 500 Registered Computer companies 200 of which are under the umbrella of the Microcomputer Association of Nigeria (MIVAN) and their activities centre mainly on: 1. Computer sales and maintenance services 2. Software Development and Information buildings 3. Computer Education and Training 4. Wordprocessing and Bureau Services 5. Marketing and Economic Research, amongst others This association was formed around 1987 to promote informatics in Nigeria especially computer literacy and usage. The body whose operations are closely monitored by the Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN), also functions to recommend prices for the sale of computers and allied products in Nigeria; monitor the advancement and development of computer technology worldwide and create a forum for the exchange of technological/technical information and ideas among members of the association in particular and COAN members in general. Recently, MIVAN hosted the "first ever indigenous computer fair" in the country. According to some members of the association, previous fairs had focussed largely on micro-computer products from the U.S.A. This one which took place between 7th and 9th April, 1994 had 61 booths displaying various microcomputer gadgets and peripherals from all parts of the world including Nigeria. The training activities of most of the companies are usually tailored to a wide number of areas such as: (a) Professional Programme leading to awards of certificates and diplomas comparable to those offered by other professional bodies such as IDPM, City and Guilds of London, etc. (b) In-house training programmes on Software Packages (c) Computer awareness programmes (d) Systems development techniques training programme The training activities in all the computer industries started to attract large clients immediately after most of the companies were formed around 1988. Apart from hundreds of school leavers who enrol in some of the in-house programmes while awaiting admissions to the institutions of higher learning for almost six to nine months, professionals in the Banking, Finance, Insurance, Engineering, Medical, Building, Manufacturing, Advertising, Oil, Educational, Media sectors also benefit a lot from tailor-made training programmes to enhance performances in these sectors. In addition to the training programmes in informatics offered by the above companies, there are also a number of training activities organised by most of the Research Institutes, Government Agencies, Management Institutions, Companies and professional associations to acquaint their staff and the public with latest skills in informatics developments. These training programmes usually range from 3-day to 3 weeks attracting a fee of between N3,000 to N25,000. Such training programmes include:
Furthermore, a number of instituions in the country especially some of the Federal Universities of Technology now offer courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering; Mathematics and Computer Science; Computer and digital systems leading to the awards of B.Tech., M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees. In discussing information and communications policy, two main aspects of information policy, must be recognised. These are: (i) Constitutional and Statutory policies which affect the availability and accessibility of information (ii) Economic policies which determine how and whether information is distributed to society Technological Development in Nigeria Technological development is the process by which the inhabitants of a given political or geopraphical unit continuously and creatively convert their natural resources into goods and services to satisfy their basic requirements. It has led to increased supply of local raw materials or basic inputs, overall increase in domestic output, capacity utilization, increased flexibility of the economy as evidenced by availability of varying products, size of industry as evidenced in increase in number of branches and the geographical distribution and the impact on the rural areas(8). The local sourcing of industrial raw materials in Nigeria has increased since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). But this fact has not significantly contributed to the technonogical development of the country mainly because of increased local cost of importing those inputs that cannot yet be produced locally. The weak raw material base of the industrial sector is linked with the neglect, in previous years, of agricultural production and the processing of solid minerals; two sectors which would have provided an adequate raw material base for the manufacturing sector. The problem of shortage of machinery and spare parts is much more seriously felt, since very limited capapcity currently exists in Nigeria for local fabrication of even the simplest machines and equipment with the result that even the machines designed or adapted by research institutes are hardly commercialised. Prior to the early 80s, there was a reduced interest in the use of local technological capability compared with importation. Recently, however, there has been a renewed interest in making use of local technological resources. A number of factors accounted for this which include political interest in self reliance and the need of finding production techniques more appropriate to distribu- tional and employment objectives. Nigeria has by all standards made massive investments in scientific and technical education and research. The number of Universities in Nigeria has increased from thirteen during the 1977/78 academic session to thirty-seven during the 1993/94 academic session. (Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board Brochure, 1994). In the actual production sectors, no local and/or internal Research and Development established within the private organisations has made major breakthroughs, all the requirements being met from the home base of the companies. Limitations on Technological Development of Nigeria It has been established that one of the factors contributing to rapid industrialisation is the dissemination of usable research findings to industrialists in the language and format they understand. It is assumed therefore that inadequate or ineffective dissemination and use of information must have been responsible for the slow pace of industrial development in Nigeria. The inability of government to set goals to assist the publication and utiliza- tion of research findings has also resulted in a considerable proportion of researchers carrying out activities which have very little or no relevance to science, technology and industrial development(9). The science and technology policy structures in developed, as well as developing countries have shown that the political ideologies and the socio-economic background on which they have been created have greatly influenced:- (a) the number and behaviour of the actors (government officers, the scientific community, industrialists, political analysts, etc.); (b) the kind of governmental bodies created; (c) the procedure for the formulation, adoption and the assessment of ssientific and technical information policies. In line with this, the scientists of the UNESCO 1986 study set out to investigate the way the countries of the West African sub-region use scientific and technical information to solve their major development problems. What emerged from the study were:- 1. that countries of West Africa are fully aware of the role that scientific and technical information must play in the socio-economic development of their country; 2. that few West African countries have a clearly defined national science and technology policy aimed at systematically integrating science and technology into the formulation of the objectives of the development plans and execution; 3. that certain countries such as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Ghana which have relatively well-developed science and technology policy-making bodies have made some efforts to integrate science and technology into the major objectives of their development plans. Now that the Nigerian Government has a workable national science and technology policy which embraces the objectives of industrial development, the only critical challenge facing the country is to evolve a Science and Technology Information System policy. Science and Technology has continued to receive appropriate Government attention in full realisation of its role and importance in the promotion of the nation's socio-economic growth and development. The interest of the private sector in Science and Technology has also been on the increase, going by their participation in the various seminars, workshops and exhibitions mounted recently by the various research Institutes, the Universities and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC). The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) set up under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has recorded considerable success in many areas since its establishment. These include: (i) Up-grading of Industrial raw materials from their raw stages to the stages they could be used by industry. (ii) documentation of existing technologies for raw materials processing; (iii) documentation of strategic raw materials. The Council also recently embarked on a number of techno-economic surveys to determine the quality and quantity of information on raw materials, process technology, equipment, relevant manpower, research status, market outlets, government policies, etc. This project is being financed by the UNDP and the outputs which include a computerized information sybsystem and an automated library subsystem will enable investors and entrepreneurs obtain required information for developmental purposes. The technology used is based on LAN with workstations and a DataGeneral (DG/UNIX) Server. The Software is an ORACLE Relational Data Base Management Software. The Databank now has eleven modules namely:
The hardware installation is now 100 per cent completed while input of data is about mid-way. The project when completed will become the first active databank produced by a governmental organisation in Nigeria. Application of Information Technology (it) in Nigeria The application of IT in Nigeria is much more extensive and noticeable in the private sector. The areas of application covers nearly all the activities of the private sector. The major users include the banks, oil industry, insurance houses, consultants and manufacturers. This trend is still growing. Presently, a number of private and governmental firms are either busy computerising their services or putting up proposals for doing so. In the late 70s, the level of awareness of IT in the private sector was very low. Today, there is a marked improvement, especially on the awareness of IT and its potential contribution to commerce and industry. The appearance of a few computer consultancy and bureau services firms further go a long way to enhance this level of awareness. It is also noticed that the Nigerian Government has identified the need for a set of policy guidelines and has set machinery in motion to formulate them. So far, this exercise has actively involved two important arms of government, the Federal Ministry of National Planning and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Also actively involved are the umbrella professional bodies in the country, Computer Association of Nigeria, Computer Users Association and Computer Vendors Association. There is an indication that a workable and viable Informatics computer policy covering possibly all aspects of IT will soon emerge. The government, through the Federal Ministry of Education has already adopted a plan to introduce computing curriculum at the secondary school level. Microcomputing is now being introduced in all the Federal Government colleges as a first step. A central agency is also being established to co-ordinate activities of government in planning, acquisition development and application of IT. In anticipation of the current wave, computer literacy has now been made a pre-requisite qualification for imminent top positions both in government and in academics. Computer literacy has been introduced and made an essential course of study in vairous curricula guiding all levels of education including short courses, workshops and seminars. Equipment Issues Installing computers in Nigeria today as well
as servicing it, obtaining spare parts, and buying supplies are substantial problems
almost everywhere. Securing the appropriate customs formalities is also a problem. It can
take months to clear equipment from customs after its arrival in the country. Despite this dire situation, there is a strong interest among governments and technical assistance agencies to improve informatics activities in the country. Low-cost, computer-based technologies for communication and information management are also available in Nigeria today, and have already proven to be effective in international scientific, business, educational, and government institutions. Informatics concerns itself with cognitive information processing and communication tasks, education and research. For the past ten years, (more than ever before), efforts are being intensified from different quarters for the formulation of an information/informatics policy instrument in Nigeria. Three different organs have been responsible for mounting pressure on the Federal Government. These are the Mass media practioners, Librarians/Information scientists and the Computer Association of Nigeria. The Government has yielded on a number of occasions to the Mass media practioners and only recently to the Computer Association of Nigeria. Unfotunately, the body that has been in the forefront of the crusade for an information policy in Nigeria is the Nigerian Library Association through the National Library of Nigeria, which had organized a number of seminars, workshops, conferences with a view to coming out with a blue-print to enable the Government formulate an information policy. Three of such workshops took place recently among several others that had been taken place since the 70's. At one of such meetings, especially the one on the Draft of the National Policy on Information Resources and Services(10) held at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, Lagos State and was held under the auspices of UNESCO and the National Library of Nigeria, February 18-20, 1991, the following recommendations were arrived at:- 1. All information must be available to all people, in all formats purveyed through all communication channels and delivered at all levels of comprehension. 2. All types of information resources and services produced in Nigeria constitute a vital investment in the national development efforts. Such information should be systematically collected, preserved and effectively managed as basic inputs to national development efforts at all levels. 3. Endogenous information and indigenous knowledge must be regularly integrated with externally generated information on Nigeria's development, as well as with relevant information on the development of other countries. 4. Nigeria's information resources and services must be organized in space and time so that waste is avoided or minimized. In particular, the acquisition, storage and sharing of information resources and services must be rationalized to ensure the optimal utilization of human, material and fiscal resources in national development. 5. Information resources in all forms - oral, book, serial, print, electronic media, etc. must be harnessed and repackaged, using the most cost effective processing, communication and transport technologies available to deliver appropriately targetted information to all categories of Nigerians, and especially the illiterate and rural population who constitute more than 80% of the population. The proposal for this National Information Policy is still in the pipeline and judging by trends over the past two decades, it requires a lot of mounting pressures to effect its promulgation. Strategies for the Implementation of Science and Technology Policy in Nigeria The Federal Government of Nigeria created, in 1979, the Ministry of Science and Technology to give leadership and direction to development of socio-economic well-being. Specifically, the ministry was mandated to coordinate and undertake scientific and technological research and development. These activities involve technological innovation, including integrating foreign technologies into local culture and upgrading indigenous technology, human resource development for the effective use of knowledge to create wealth and improve the quality of life, documentation and dissemination of related information, and promotion of international cooperation in science and technology. In order to perform directional and coordinational roles, the ministry formulated the Science and Technology Policy in 1986, which was revised and launched in 1989 by General Ibrahim Babangida. The Science and Technology policy was aimed at: 1. increasing public awareness in science and technology and vital role in national development and well-being; 2. directing science and technology efforts along identified national goals; 3. promoting the translation of science and technology results into actual goods and services; 4. creating, increasing and maintaining an indigenous science and technology base through research and development; 5. motivating creative output in science and technology; 6. increasing and strengthening theoretical and practical scientific base in the society; and 7. increasing and strenghtening the technological base of the Nation. Towards achieving these policy objectives, the science and technology policy document identified strategies for implementation of the policy. These strategies and institutional arrangements are as follows: (a) Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is to supervise the twenty-six research institutions. (b) National Consultative Committee on Industrial Research (NCCIR) is to encourage exchange of views between the public and private sectors and to facilitate feedbacks from end- users of science and technology research and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. Membership includes representatives of banks and other financial institutions, chambers of commerce, manufacturers' associations, research institutions, universities, professional associations and relevant government agencies. (c) National Office of Industrial Property (NOIP) was established in 1979 to:- 1. encourage more efficient process for the identification and selection of foreign technology: 2. develop skills of Nigerians entering into partnership contract with foreigners for technology transfer; 3. register all existing technology contracts in Nigeria; 4. monitor the execution of contracts registered in Nigeria; 5. survey existing technology; and 6. operate a databank on design and engineering consultancy organisations in Nigeria. (d) State Technology Demonstration Centres (STDEC) were to be established in each state to have direct links with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and its agencies and with industrial organisations. Their functions were to provide extension services to industries in the local areas and establish demonstration units on selected viable technologies in critical areas of concern. (e) Science and Technology Documentation
Centre (STDC) at Abuja was also established and mandated to set up databases on various
aspects of science and technology linked to Research Institutes and Universities. Its
other functions include: 1. maintenance of a national science and technology library; and 2. collection, classification, storage, publication and dissemination of data on science and technology manpower available in Nigeria, Nigerians involved in science and technology internationally, science and technology project reports undertaken in Nigeria, research activities in all sectors of the economy and information on existing technologies in the key areas. (f) Industrial Development Coordinating Committee (IDCC) was established under the Federal Ministry of Industries in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology. The operational concepts of self-sustaining industrialisation by the IDCC include:- 1. identifying and establishing core industries; 2. reassessing industrial strategies towards a local resource-based industrialisation; and 3. creating internal engines of growth. The IDCC, in conjunction with UNIDO, evolved the Strategic Management of Industrial Development (SMID). The framework for this SMID is the establishment of the National Committee on Industrial Development (NCID). NCID develops strategies for each sub-system before sanctioning by government and monitors implementation; progress and problems are noted and, where necessary, addressed immediately. Below the NCID are strategic consultative groups - one for each identified priority sub-system. The Strategic Consultative Group (SCG) is made up of representatives of the various actors within the defined network of relations. Their main functions according to NCID (1990) are to:- 1. analyse the specific problems and constraints of their sub-system; 2. analyse the opportunities that exist in domestic and foreign markets; 3. develop a strategic direction for the sub-system; 4. pin-point the type of supportive programmes needed to implement the adopted strategy; 5. work out a programme of action. (g) Co-operative arrangement was established between research institutions, universities and polytechnics. (h) Four existing centres of excellence in technology attached to universities, i.e. Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria; Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto were established to implement R&D activities in various sectors of technological development. Government on its part has continued to foster the growth of Science and Technology by removing some of the constraints that hamper technological development in the country. On July 18th, 1990, the National Committee on Engineering Infrastructure (NACENI) comprising 150 members drawn from State and Federal Ministries, the organised private sector, the professional organizations, higher institutions, research institutes etc. was set up. National Documentation and Information Centre for Sciences and Technology (NADICEST) was also established in 1988. It was located at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and its major objective was to provide easy and timely access to science and technology information to research scientists through effective bibliographical control of sciences and technology information (STI) nationally. It presently has a number of nodal centres charged with information management on: (a) Biomedical sciences (b) Environmental Sciences and Technology including Earth Sciences (c) Industrial literature (d) Engineering and technology (e) Social Sciences Literature etc.etc. In summary, Technological Development in Nigeria has been undergoing a number of problems, namely: 1. Absence of a well conceived and coherent policy on technology 2. Lack of political will and national commitment 3. Lack of co-ordination, both in technological education and actual implementation of technological policies. Databank Activities in Nigeria One other major aspect in informatics is the development of databanks in various sectors. The focus of these databanks is to meet the demands and expectations of users of the vast amount of data for socio-economic development. In recognition of this role, the UNDP, Lagos in 1984 commissioned Phoenix Associates of Maryland, U.S.A. to undertake a background study for the establishment of a computerized data bank - National Data Bank (NDB) at the Federal Ministry of National Planning later the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning and now the National Planning Commission. The report of the study, submitted in 1986 recommended the establishment of a National Data Bank (NDB) at the Federal Ministry of National Planning. The instrument establishing the National Data Bank was formally signed by the UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1987. Operations of the Bank commenced in February 1989 under the aegis of the Federal Office of Statistics after some initial delays. The instrument, finally spelling out the functions and objectives of the National Data Bank was the National Data Bank (National Planning Commission) Decree No. 12 of 1992. With this instrument of establishment, the National Data Bank (NDB) is now the apex Data Bank in Nigeria. As the parent Data Bank which does not produce data, it has to rely on the sectoral and ministerial data banks for its data. These sectoral Data Banks therefore have to be integrated with the NDB which at a later stage would be in a position to prescribe some standards and guidelines which have to be followed by these sectoral Data Banks. Five other sectoral Data Banks in Agriculture, Industry, Education, Finance and Science and Technology were approved along with the National Data Bank. The long term development objective of the NDB project is to strengthen the statistical system of Nigeria to produce more relevant, reliable and timely data needed by the three tiers of government (Federal, State and Local) for their macroeconomic policy decisions and long term planning and monitoring of the national economy. In pursuance of this major objective, the NDB's operational guidelines stipulate that it initially would assemble socio-economic statistical data from the various local and international sources, process and disseminate them to end-users. It is also mandated to carry out analytical work and develop output processing routines that would enable it produce macro socio-economic indicators useful for monitoring activities of government at the federal, state and local levels. Since its inception in 1989 the NDB has completed the following tasks.
The NDB has recently been given the status of a parastatal of the National Planning Commission. Consequently the sectoral data banks would now look forward to the NDB for leadership in terms of definitions, classification, methodologies and procedures. Currently at the NDB, work is in progress on three new data sets: Education, Health, Employment, Labour and Productivity. In addition to the above activities and to further strengthen the informatics activities in the country, the Federal Military Government enacted Decree 43 of 1988 which decentralized the Nigerian Statistical System (NSS), and provided for the establishment of a Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) in every ministry and extra ministerial department. These informatics activities have been further strenghtened tremendously accross the Country by Decree No.12 of 1992. National Science and Technology Databank As far back as January 1974, delegates from African member states of Unesco assembled in Dakar, Senegal for what was then refered to as the CASTAFRICA Conference. The Conference which was to formulate a regional policy on Information Systems in the African region made recommendations as follows:
The purpose of the project was explicit
Because of the enormous amount of data to be collected,the Agency co-ordinating Science and Technology research activities in the country then, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) decentralised this activity to the research institutes under its supervision. After a number of years of trial and error, the following informatics activities are now emerging: National Health Information System This is a computerised system being designed to be used as a management tool:- (a) to assess the state of the health of the population, to identify major health problems and to set priorities on the local, state and national levels; (b) to monitor the progress towards stated goals and targets of the health services; (c) to provide indicators for evaluating the
performance of the health services and their impact on the health status of the
population; (d) to provide information to those who need to take action, those who supplied the data and the general public. National Agricultural Databank Four zones were established to coordinate the activities of the National Agricultural Databank (NADB) in Nigeria. The main objective of the NADB project is to establish a database of Agricultural statistics, and organise a computerised databank which will make available a comprehensive, reliable, and timely data required for development planning as well as policy formulation processes both in the ministries and in the country as a whole. The NADB is one of the four sectoral databases of the National Data Bank project in Lagos. It operates through committee at both national and state levels namely: 1. National Agro Statistics Co-ordinating Committee (NASCCO) NASCCO is interministerial and serves as a clearing-house for National Agricultural data and statistics before publication. 2. State Agro-statistics Co-ordinating Committee (SASCCO) SASCCO has its membership drawn from all agro-based agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Office of Statistics (FOS), in each state and serves as clearing house for all agro-data in each state before forwarding to the zonal headquarters. SASCCO is responsible for co-ordinating all efforts relating to the generation of agricultural statistics at the state level. It is the focal point for agro-data generation activities in the states. The activities of SASCCO are to be reported to NASCCO through the NADB zonal offices. Its other functions include: (a) the co-ordination of the activities relating to agro-data collection in the states. (b) proper sharing of responsibilities in respect of agro-data collection activities among various agencies to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts. (c) assembly of all available secondary agricultural data within the state. (d) identification of formats for data collection activities in the states as may be directed by NASCCO. (e) designing of formats for data collection activities in the state in compliance with NASCCO's directives. (f) training in Agro-data collection, processing and analysis. (g) funding of agro-data collection activities. National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) NIDOC was established by the National Library of Nigeria as a Nigerian bibliographic and numerical databank of information for the social and economic development of the country. As the focal point for the exchange of information, NIDOC intends to co-ordinate a network of participating centres in Nigeria. Its objectives are:
Its expected outputs are:
Computer Literacy and Computer Utilization in Nigeria Despite the fact that there are presently many computer installations in Nigeria, the awareness of the potentials of these computers and their relevance to our national development and well-being is just emerging. The nation's response to the growing data processing needs, as contained in the National Development Policy Plans have continued to witness the importation and sale of many computer hardwares and softwares to clients. As pointed out in a paper presented at the Computer Association's General Meeting(11), it was observed that: 1. The arrival of computer systems and technology in Nigeria preceded the availability of computer skill and knowledge in our educational system. 2. The need for computer education came as a response to the demands of the public and private sectors of the economy. 3. Computer education, coming as it were, after the need for it was manifested in the economy, saw Nigerians dabbling into an area they knew little about. 4. From about 150 students in a typical Computer Science Department in 1975, there are now well over 400 Computer Science majors and 1000 others from faculties like Engineering and Physical Sciences that require offerings in Computer Science up to 200 or 300 levels. In addition, because of the recently implemented National Universities Commission (NUC) minimum standards, every university student must now take computer science courses at the 100 level at least. - (Though nothing has been done to improve facilities in the Computer Centres). Our Computer Science graduates will continue to emerge from the universities with their heads full of theories but absolutely lacking in practical experience. 5. It is estimated that there are about 6000 secondary schools in Nigeria. If each school were to have TWO computer science teachers to cover courses at the senior classes, one would need 12,000 qualified computer science teachers to man the schools. 6. Due to the strong job market for degree holders in Computer Science, fewer graduates continue with postgraduate studies in Computer Science. 7. To fill in the gaps requires continuing education which now abounds in every part of the country. 8. Because Nigeria operates a free market economy, there is practically no control on the in-flow of computer hardware and software into our market. 9. With no regulations or any framework of control or standardization in force, there is now diverse makes of computers most of which have started to end up as heaps of faulty electronic gadgets in the few maintenance workshops available. Computer Education in Secondary Schools As a means of advancing informatics applications in the country, pilot activities embarked upon by a number of State governments towards the introduction of informatics to the school curriculum, have now metamophorsed into full implementation in increased number of schools. Most states started with a pilot project of 4, 6 or 8 selected secondary schools within the state and by early 1994 these state governments have extended the facilities to at least one secondary school in each Local Government Area (LGA). There are presently 589 Local Government Areas in Nigeria and about 6,000 secodary schools. To execute the programme, a number of teachers were trained for a couple of weeks either by a computer company or the Polytechnic, depending on the cost considered reasonable by the government and in the case of the Federal Government Colleges, by the National Teachers Institute (NTI). These teachers have started to return to implement the introduction of informatics to the educational curriculum of schools. Furthermore because of the present educational policies at the Federal, State and Local Government levels, the country operates an extensive network of primary schools, secondary schools and higher educational institutions. There are presently 18.7 million students enrolled in over 39.7 thousand institutions of various levels and types(12). Of the 18.7 million students in schools, less than 2 million have access to formal computer activities except in a very few private primary and secondary schools (about 1% of total number of schools) which are elitist in their set-ups and charge fees ranging from N20,000 to N50,000 per annum compared with an average of N500 per annum charged in public schools. As part of the 39.7 thousand institutions in the country, there are now 37 universities - 25 Federal and 12 state universities. No private university yet but plans are under way to encourage individuals, corporate bodies, religious institutions etc. to establish private universities. For the past 5 years, informatics activities especially those relating to education and training, have been rising significantly amongst youths and other individuals due to a number of factors, namely: 1. Since 1978/79 till the present academic year, the existing universities have been able to admit an average of 15% of qualified applicants into the institutions, leaving about 85% qualified applicants unable to be admitted. This has led to this large number enrolling in private computer schools all over the country for short-time courses ranging from one week to one year. 2. There are more than 120 Commercial and Merchant Banks, 256 Mortgage banks and a number of Finance Houses in the country today which lay emphasis on informatics for their day to day operations. Because of the lucrative payment incentives in these finance houses, most prospective applicants strive to acquire certificates (formal or informal) in computer training with the hope of being attracted by the Finance Houses. 3. Because of the liberalisation of the economy since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986, many hitherto public companies have now been privatised and in order to maximize production vis-a-vis profits, a number of them have now imbibed computerisation into their operations. Computer literacy has now become a prerequisite for appointment into most cadres of these companies. 5. Before 1988, offerings in computer science were envisaged strictly for the tertiary level of education. Only the universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education/Technology were expected to teach courses in computer science and produce graduates in that discipline. 6. The resultant effects of the above state of affairs as claimed by Uche(13) were: (i) Very few Nigerians had access to tertiary education and only a negligible percentage of this number were admitted into Departments of Computer Science. Thus, only very few Nigerians were trained in computer technology. (ii) Societal demand for computer literate Nigerians far outstripped the level of production of this cadre of manpower. In an attempt to solve all the above mentioned problems, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to formulate a Computer Policy which will not only address the need for more awareness but also ensure that sound basis for computer education and utilization is laid. As the experience in several countries that had introduced computer literacy programmes shows, the most appropriate place to start computer awareness programmes is at the school level and the most appropriate level within the education system is the secondary school level. Therefore the decision in 1988 of Government to start its pilot programme in the Federal Government Colleges was in keeping with what had proved successful for other countries and in line with the recommendations of the committee on National Policy for Computer Education in Nigeria. The Committee which consisted of eminent scholars and professionals in informatics was mandated, amongst others, to (i) advise Government on the types and levels of education that will contain offerings of Computer Education courses; (ii) determine the curricular contents and procedures best suited to the needs of this country for the various levels of education, including general computer literary at the tertiary levels; (iii) Consider and advise on the ways and means of ensuring a smooth transition of computer courses between and among the various types and levels of education. In carrying out its assignment the Committee noted that the major objective of introducing computer literacy and eduction at the secondary school level is to enable them acquire a level of knowledge about computers which would fit them directly into the employment market or enable them to pursue courses in computer science at higher levels. The Committee outlined the following as the general Informatics Policy Objectives for the nation: (a) to bring about a Computer Literate Society in Nigeria by the middle of the 90's. (b) to enable the present generation of school children at this level appreciate the potentials of the computer and be able to utilise the computer in various aspects of life and later occupation. The first of these general objectives was interpreted by the Committee to imply that the Government would like to see a policy which would not only cater for those involved in the education enterprise, but also for the general populace. The intent of government appears to centre around the need to ensure that everyone appreciates -
The second general objective directly addresses students who for the first time in the history of the country would benefit from the computer education programme and who will therefore be the flag-bearers in the nation's determination to join the current world-wide computer revolution. This general statement has thus been expanded to comprise the following educational objectives:
The above objectives provide a basis for the committees' recommendation of the following main curricular content items for the secondary school level:-
On the need for a smooth transition between types and levels of education, the committee recommended that although primary schools will use lower-end computers and the secondary schools a more sophisticated one, there is not going to be much difference between the general approach to the teaching of computer lessons at these two levels. Similarly, the curriculum will enable secondary school students to cope with the university studies in computer science. According to the committee, the concept of computer education and literacy presents challenges which have not been faced before by the teachers. The Committee noted that for the first time both the teacher and the learner will be at virtually the same level of knowledge (or lack of it!). A training package was therefore recommended by the committee for the teacher. The objectives of such training are to:
The Committee on National Policy for Computer Education in Nigeria was also mandated to define, as clearly as possible, the roles of Federal and State governments and relevant institutions, particularly the universities, polytechnics, research institutes and some of the parastatals in the attainment of the objectives of Computer Education. The major merit of the National Policy on Computer Education, therefore, is that it recommends the introduction/incorporation of computer studies at all levels lower than the universities and Polytechnics. As a matter of fact, the committee recommended a total lifting of restrictions on computer education in a way that computer literacy programmes can begin right from the primary school. According to the Committee, computers should be introduced at any level provided the necessary facilities and resources exist. A good computer education programme should therefore aim not only at teaching Nigerians how to use the computer effectively for national development but also at preparing them to master computer technology with a view to ensuring the maintenance, and eventually the production of computers. Installation of Computers in Schools Following recommendations contained in the National Policy on Computer Education in 1988, Computers have now been installed in most of the forty-five Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) while little or no activity has been undertaken in majority of the state secondary schools which had promised at one time or the other to introduce computer education in their respective schools. While some schools have reported faulty equipment, many others have either not installed the software into the systems or have not put the computer into use because most staff do not know how to instal the computers or are afraid to do so for fear of their being damaged. On the part of the students, computer clubs have been formed and launched in a number of schools. With this trend, it is expected that students will learn more about computers under the umbrella of the clubs. Informatics Programme at the Tertiary Level 1. University Level Since 1962 when the National Univesities Commission (NUC) was set up following the recommendation of Ashby Commission, the NUC has been supervising and co-ordinating the activities of all the universities in Nigeria. The Commission has played a major role in the success of the Computer Literacy Programme in the universities. It has provided guidelines relating to the minimum hardware and software environment for the Universities to enable them effectively pursue the computer literacy programme. Additionally, the Commission has been supporting the development of curricula and programmes in the universities especially the new degree programmes in computer science and engineering covering the Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. The computer literacy programmes at the university level have over the years been directed at:
2. Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Level Apart from the NUC there is also the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which has statutory responsibility for ensuring standards of Education in Polytechnics and Technical Colleges, and also in co-ordinating the development, management and funding of Federal Polytechnics and Federal Technical Colleges. Within this general framework, the NBTE has had the following specific roles to play in the introduction of Computer Education in the institutions under its jurisdiction;
Under the guidance of NBTE, the Polytechnics in Nigeria have been performing a number of informatics role in the country. Such roles include:
On the role of the National Library of Nigeria in the development of informatics, the committee observed that as an important parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Library which is the national depository for all books and publications for both within and outside Nigeria should also co-ordinate the procedures for computerising library services in Nigeria and the dissemination of any information with respect to computerisation of all libraries. It should also distribute any printed materials on computer education to schools, colleges and universities so that they are kept up-to-date about most recent developments. Establishment of MIS in Nigerian Universities Management Information System (MIS) was formally introduced into Nigerian Universities Management systems in 1990 under the auspices of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to deal essentially with students, staff and financial records in the universities, and to provide periodic information reports for all Units within the Universities. Training needs were identified as realistic ways of meeting the proposal. The areas identified as priorities include: (i) Creating general awareness for MIS; (ii) Computer appreciation; (iii) Data collection and processing; (iv) Data interpretation; and (v) Computer operations Each university was requested to set up an MIS Committee with membership specified by the NUC. The first training assignment of the MIS committee was to organise training for Principal Officers in order to get them personally identified with the project and provide leadership and support. This was to be followed by training of other users in the Registry, Bursary, Library, Academic Planning etc. For the generality of staff and students, the MIS Committee was mandated to organise sensitisation and popularisation campaigns on MIS, its objectives and benefits. In all the above, in-house training , using the facilities of the computer centres and/or the computer science department was to be encouraged. In addition to the above courses, most of the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education operate short-time courses in Wordprocessing, Database Management, Spreadsheet and Statistical analyses leading to awards of in-house certificates and diplomas. At the international level but with the
country, other Informatics activities include the establishment of: 1. Centre for Micro-Informatics Maintenance Department of Computer Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. This Centre was established by the International Governmental Informatics Programme of UNESCO with the main purpose of:
It organises short-time and advance study internship in information technology and micro-informatics maintenance and training for participants within the West African sub-region. 2. The Centre for Informatics Research and Training was established at the Ogun State University to: (i) facilitate active and meaningful research for development, using computers; (ii) serve as a centre for short training programmes in the Africa Commonwealth region in the area of IT; (iii) assist researchers in universities and research institutes as well as practitioners in R & D units of industry to use available resources in the Centre to solve problems andto meet and exchange ideas with professional colleagues and update their knowledge; and (iv) act as a catalyst for initiating research and training programmes in IT which will eventually benefit the government as well as interested Commonwealth African countries. 3. The Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) started operating in November 1990 at the University of Ibadan. A number of international agencies played important roles in formulating its objectives, organizational structure and programmes. ARCIS addresses itself to African development problems that have demonstrable information services components, with a view to providing both short- and long-term solutions to them. In pursuance of its objective, ARCIS is involved in the following activities: 1. running higher degree programmes in information science (MInfSc, MPhil, PhD); 2. providing short-term training and retraining, through seminars and workshops, at different levels of information services; 3. providing consultancy services in systems analysis, design and evaluation; database construction and management; information policy formulation and implementation; and solutions to operational problems in information technology; and 4. conducting research on the problems and prospects of information science in the rapid socio-economic development of Africa. Recent Developments in Informatics in Nigeria The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), in 1988, computerised the operations of its medical records and accounting department. The primary objective was to provide health professionals in a Teaching/Specialist Hospital with timely delivery of both current and past relevant information which will aid in medical treatment. The OAUTHC system was developed in 1989 by the Hospital Complex, the Department of Computer Sciences and the University of Kuopia, Finland. It is based on VA Mumps/Fileman Technology - a public domain Admission-Discharge-Transfer application software from USA. The system became operational as the only MUMPS and VA software application in Nigeria. The electronic-mail (E-mail) facility was installed in 1992 making the system a point-to-point linkage between Ife and Finland. At the same Hospital Complex, there is the Healthnet facility also based on VA MUMPS/ Fileman Technology. The Electronic Mail system is a joint activity of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), the OAU Computer Science Department and the University of Kuopia, Finland. The present system covers the basic in-patient functions, areas for software expansion and hardware upgrade, according to Daini, Makanjuola and Ojo(14), are under consideration. However, with the systems at Ile-Ife and Yaba College of Technology, Lagos now functioning, it is difficult for Ile-Ife and Yaba to communicate directly with each other. Each system communicates first with its parent institution before such communications are routed through the parent institution of the other which eventually delivers the messages to either of the local institutions. Ife--------->----<----------->Finland Yaba,------->-----<----------->Italy Lagos Ilorin------>-----<------------>Ontario The RINAF project has not been functioning perfectly as expected largely because of lack of good communication infrastructure in the 15 selected African countries. The quality of the telephone lines is poor and cost of international calls is very high. It is in this regard, RINAF'S assistance is being intensified to facilitate exchange of information within the African region. The communications technology through dial-up telephone lines being provided by FidoNet and UUCP will greatly enhance RINAF's objectives. Another interesting informatics activity in Nigeria is the Electronic Mail link between the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria and the McMaster University, Ontario, Canada which started as far back as January 1990. The link between Ilorin and Ontario has greatly improved the flow of data communication among faculty members and their colleagues all over the world. The link is enhanced by the use of Cross Talk communication software being used for the data management. The Health Sciences Faculty of Ilorin like its counterpart at Ife, was selected to house the communication system because:
The system operates via a relay method whereby calls were initiated only from Canada. It costs hundreds (if not thousands) of naira for a direct dialling facility to be provided for Ilorin. The working of the system can be summarized thus: 1. A call is made by the systems manager in Canada (same as for Ife and Yaba, Lagos, from Finland and Ontario respectively) to make voice contact and establish that there is power, that the computer is working, that there are messages for pick-up, and whether or not there is a need to arrange transmission outside the regular periods. 2. The system in Ilorin (as in Ife and Lagos) is then connected to the modem to allow for the computer-to- computer inter-change of files. When the files have been successfully exchanged, the connection is broken by the System Manager and files received are processed at both ends. 3. At the local end, messages are printed out for each recipient for distribution. This involves some knowledge of wordprocessing to enable block copying, page breaking and so on. 4. At the parent institution in Canada, and perhaps as in Finland and Italy, messages are processed, requests attended to and are mailed electronically to Nigeria. Regional Informatics Activities in Nigeria: RINAF and CGNET The Regional Informatics Network for Africa (RINAF) which is a joint project of the Intergovernmental Informatics Programme (IIP) of UNESCO and financed by the Italian Government started its activities in 1992. They were designed to have five regional nodes and ten national ones with the ultimate goal of providing services and facilitating communications among the African research and academic institutions. The pilot project commenced in July 1992 with the selection of Algeria, Egypt, Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Swaziland and Zambia with Algeria, Kenya, Senegal and Zambia serving as regional nodes while Guinea, Swaziland and Egypt were intended to serve as national nodes. The Nigerian node was to function first as a national node and later upgraded to a regional node. The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), of the National Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) which co-ordinates scientific and technological activities in Nigeria, based at the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, is the focal point for RINAF in Nigeria. Presently, there is no active network activity going on at the centre due to communication and logistic problems. The networking function of the National Centre for Technology Management is being temporarily handled by the Department of Computer Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos because of the easier communication accessibility of Lagos to the international communication facilities. The Lagos facility is now hooked to INTERNET and communications from different parts of the world are routed via Italy to Nigeria and vice-versa. CGNET in Nigeria Following the establishment of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) in 1971 by the World Bank, FAO and UNDP, the extent of international cooperation among agricultural scientists and institutions had witnessed a tremendous expansion, especially as the need for members of the networks to communicate over long distances from day to day. CGNET has over 50 mail boxes in 18 African countries, most of which belong to international agricultural research centres and a few to national institutions. Most CGNET connections are to the X.25 network established through dedicated leased lines except for some hard-to-reach areas where satellites are used. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria utilises the latter method. Informatics in Organizations and Industries In an attempt to computerise their operations, many organisations are now going into training of their personnels in the area of computer applications. Some establishments even organise training programmes for different categories of people in order to induce and/or encourage the application of computers in their various areas of specialization. For example, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) course calendar includes Computer Appreciation for Agricultural Management and Finance; and Micro-computer Application for Agriculture and Rural Development. Also, Centre for Management Development (CMD) has Management Information System Programmes being executed yearly. These programmes include computer application for executives, computer application workshop for trainers, computer application workshop for secretaries and PC Hardware and operating systems workshop. Some establishments organise extensive computer training programme which is spread over a whole year. Titles and course contents of such training programme include computer application in Management {Hardware Technology, Disk Operating System, Word Processing}; Database Management; Project Management with Micro computer. Overview of project management. Fundamentals of project management concepts, graphical presentation of projects, Harvard Project Manager; Computerized Accounting System; Advanced Computer Software operations; Project Formulation with Micro-computers {An overview of basic computer operations, the use of computer for project formulation; Introduction to Desktop publishing; Introduction of spreadsheet accounting; Data integrity, Safety and Security {Hardward Technology/Maintenance, Computer virus, Disk Organisation, Utilities}; Advanced Computer Programming in Dbase/Clipper {Overview of language, concept of compiler & interpreter, compiling and linking programmes, using relevant utilities; Computer Aided Design {Hardware overview, MS-DOS Operating System, Autocard Application Software}. From all available documents, 1. Many of these informatics efforts have been at individual or institutional levels. There has been no co-ordinated informatics development at national level. 2. No unified system of data collection, processing and utilization until very recently in Agriculture, Medicine and Banking operations. Professional Ethics in Informatics In discussing the issue of professional ethics, the Committee on National Policy on Computer Education studied organisations like the Medical and Engineering Associations and felt that a similar body in Informatics should exist to control the practice and ethics of the computer industry in Nigeria. The body recommended that the functions of the proposed National Computer Council should include: 1. to identify and enforce the ethics of the profession, 2. to advise government on standard procedures for computers, 3. to document professional procedures and ensure that computer professionals abide by them, 4. enforce any laws and regulations by disciplining any erring computer professional, 5. keep a register of professionals, 6. help advise government on the establishment of Data Transmission protocols to ensure that security of any data from one part of the country to the other is not compromised. This council was to regulate the activities of many vendors who purchase low quality machines and sell them to unsuspecting clients. The Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN),which was founded in 1978 as a rallying body of computer professionals to exchange ideas, regulate professional conduct, and instil discipline in the use of computer knowledge to the advantage of the Nigerian society, was, through decree 49 of 1993, given a formal legal backing for its operations. The body is internationally recognised as the sole professional computing body in Nigeria by International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) with headquarters in Geneva. By the charter, COAN has now received the legal weapon to sanitise the profession by ensuring a high degree of professionalism in the computer high-tech industry and enforce sound ethics. The association's official stamp of recognition was contained in a decree titled "Computer Professionals (Registration Council of Nigeria (Decree 49 of 1993)" signed into law on June 10, 1993. This gave COAN full authority to regulate the general operations of the computer hi-tech industry. The decree also required the registration of a Council with the primary responsibility of advancing the knowledge of computer science and the use of computational machinery and techniques related thereto. The Council according to the decree shall have the control and supervision of the profession and determine what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the profession and improving those standards from time to time. The Council is also charged with the responsibility to secure the establishment and maintenance of a register of members which would be published periodically. This charter clearly demonstrated the Federal Government's support and commitment to the development and sustained growth of the information technology and in the computing industry profession for all and sundry. Informatics Activities in the Ministries Although the Federal Ministry of Education has been assigned the responsibility on Computer Education Policy, it is obvious that other ministries have vital and necessary roles for the over-all success of the programme. Amongst Ministries which were identified as having some specific roles in development of Informatics in Nigeria is the Federal Ministry of Science and Technologywhich is charged with the responsibility of developing Science and Technology policy and programmes for research and development in key technology areas; and for overseeing the activities of all the research institutes in the country. As a result of this supervisory and co-ordinating function, the important role of developing and encouraging local capability in mirco-electronics is assigned to the Ministry and for implementation, through the Polytechnics, Universities and Research Institutes. The Ministry, through its other various organs has been performing the following roles: (a) encouraging research efforts, and developing indigenous expertise through grants and other incentives in the area of hardware and software production. (b) creating and maintaining computer-based data banks in Agriculture, Industrial, Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Energy and Natural Resources, and disseminating the research findings in these areas. (c) developing and encouraging local capability in micro-electronics in relation to electronic component design and manufacture; hardware design and manufacture; software design, development and production; establishment of a silicon foundry; and establishment of thin-film technology. Appendix I contains the list of institutions, in Nigeria, offering courses leading to the awards of certificates, degrees and diplomas: The Federal Ministry of Finance has various applications for the development of the management of the nation's financial system. The areas of activities here include, federal revenue accounting tax administration, banking administration, international finance, including foreign exchange. The major computing departments are the Central Computer Unit and the Central Bank. In addition to these, the Ministries of Finance in most of the thirty States of the Federation currently own and use various types of computers. Application systems have been developed and are being implemented in all the four areas mentioned above. However, there is yet no proper link between the Federal systems and those of the States. The latter develop and run their individual application areas (depending on their needs and priorities). Both the Federal and States however, meet at the annual reporting and budgeting stage where only final accounts and estimates are considered. In the banking industry, the Federal Government has some input in most banks in the country. There are some data processing activities going on in this sector and all banks report to the Central Bank of Nigeria. Each bank is free to design and implement its own software as needed while it can also acquire whatever hardware it feels most suitable. The Federal Ministry of Works carries out vital studies for government to enable it to formulate its policies in the areas of housing, maintenance and road transportation (as far as it affects accidents and injuries). To this end, projects were commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Works for research on road transportation pattern, effective use and road surface characteristics to determine the major causes of road accidents and set standards for effective road safety. The Federal Department of Water Resources, an active arm of the Federal Government, has, as one of its functions, collection and processing of data from the primary hydrometric network necessary for the effective formulation of the National Water Resources Master Plan. The States Water Boards also collect data at all project sites which are then forwarded to a central office for effective hydrological simulation and charting. The main computer application is that of hydrological forecasting and mathematical modelling. This is in five parts, namely: (i) the development of computer software for storage, retrieval and treatment of water resources data; (ii) the development of mathematical models for the prediction of extreme hydrological events; (iii) the development of computer models for the monitoring of pollutants in reservoirs, lakes and rivers; (iv) water balance computation; and (v) conjunctive water use. Water balance studies in the areas of Chad Basin and Ogun-Osun Catchment areas were successfully carried out and the hydrological data collection format ensuing from there was to be adopted by all other River Basin Authorities.The Federal Ministry of Communications is a very large and important arm of government with two main units, namely, the Nigerian Postal Agency (NIPOST) and Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL). Each of these two units operate under an independent Board which reports to the Minister of Communications. Each of them enjoys considerable monopoly of powers over the transmission of information. The telecommunications system presently being developed to cover both the rural and urban areas represents a very large investment. According to the Commonwealth Secretariat study(15), data communications represent only an infinitessimal part of tele- communications activities in the country, being less than 1% in value. Data communications awareness is still very low in the country. Most data communications are carried through the standard tele-communications network using a modulated voice signal to carry the digital information. The level of development of communication facilities is presented under a separate heading on TELEMATICS towards the end of this report. The Customs and Excise Department also relies on computer system for all its data processing activities. Applications include the mass storage, processing and retrieval of customs daily data, and continual reporting and transmission of revenues to the computer unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance for further processing. The National Population Bureau was set up for the process- ing of nationwide population data and the production of vital population statistics. The Nigerian Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force, also has a Data Processing Unit with the responsibility of developing application systems in the areas of defence, research and development as well as military administration. The bulk of data processing activities in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture is limited to the Agricultural Development Projects(ADPs), FACU and Fisheries Department. The main application in the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) is the billing of NEPA customers. This is done on a national scale. Because of the extremely high volumes and frequency of dataflow nationwide, electrical power consumption area in Nigeria is zoned into several divisions with the aim of equiping each division with facilities for an independent Data Processing department which collects and processes bills for payment. A divisional final account is collated to the central computer centre in Lagos for national reconciliation. The Nigerian Ports Authority is also an active applications-oriented parastatal. Quite an extensive amount of data processing activities are going on. Areas of application include the movements of ships to/from the Nigerian ports, in- and out-bound goods, revenues generated from ports operations, as well as other administrative and financial applications. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) is a major revenue source for the nation. It has a large computing organisation which is active in diversified areas such as research and development, keeping an active databank of information on Nigeria's oil reserve and activities (national and international), and administrative support. A typically unique application system developed in-house is the goods inventory system which was designed in such a way that any one of the refineries located in the key parts of the country can access it virtually on-line and obtain the availability status of any needed item within the shortest possible time. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is responsible for the placement of candidates into all universities in the country. It is well staffed by competent computer personnel. Scoring of examination papers is carried out in an on-line basis using the DRS type optical scanner. The system allows the universities and the government to have an annual total picture of the trends of the national performance of the pre-university terminal students. This assists in the formulation of/and review of its educational policy. The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is one of the early users of IT. Its responsibilities span, among other activities, the processing of the West African School Certificate Examination results, selective national entrance examinations for candidates seeking entry into the Federal government colleges (otherwise known as Unity Schools), Higher School Certificate Examination results, co-orninating examinations of the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary- and Advance-Levels), and co-ordinating examinations for some professional bodies such as the City and Guilds of London. The WAEC is one of the largest users of IT, has an international governing council with its Headquarters in Accra, Ghana. The Nigerian office had its first computer, an IBM 370/125, installed in 1974. Each national office has an independent data processing department but which relates to one another through international co-ordination and exchange of both personnel and application software. The most active (and busiest) of the data processing departments is in Lagos where large volumes of examination data are handled. The Council has also attempted to decentralise its data processing within the country by having DP centres in clearly defined zones. For several years in the past, the Council was unable to issue certificates to successful candidates for several years while examination results for many candidates could not be properly accounted for. Today, there has been a great deal of improvement as a result of a review of the Council's data processing philosophy. Development Plans in Informatics in Government Ministries One of the major policy instruments for development in the various facets of the Nigerian economy is contained in the Plans of action prepared by each ministry and collated by the National Planning Commission. It is then after the approval of the National Plans of Action that ministries start formulating policies based on the approved plans of action. Four of such National Plans are now available. These are: 1. First National Rolling Plan 1990-1992 2. Second National Rolling Plan 1991-1993 3. Third National Rolling Plan 1992-1994 4. Fourth National Rolling Plan 1993-1995 Below is a listing of the different computerisation activities of the various ministries and parastatals as contained in the National Rolling Plans of the country as prepared by the National Planning Commission, and as contained in the rolling plans. 1. Federal Ministry of Transport (a) Planning Research & Statitics Department Project Title: Computer Installation Environment and Development of Data Bank. This is expected to result in the procurement of: (i) Hardware and Installation (ii) Software and Licence (iii) Technical Training (Local) (b) Transport Coordination & Inspectorate Department. Project Title: Motor Vehicle Administration in Nigeria requiring provision of main-frame and terminal computers and other hardwares for the purpose of creating Data Bank of all automobiles and other motor vehicles in Nigeria with Lagos as main terminal and other terminals in all state offices. 2. National Maritime Authority (nma) Project Title: Computerization of N.M.A. Services 3. Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria Project Title: Procurement of Mainframe Computer equipment such as VAX 77 or IBM PS2 model 40 or 70 was proposed as well as 20 unit of Micro Computers required for effective demonstration and improving the skills of participants at the institute. 4. Nigerian shippers' council Project Title: Automated Technical Data Bank (ATDB) required for the development, design and implementation of Technical Standards Procedure as well as: (i) Acquisition, Organisation and storage of Data; 1990. (ii) Construction and Loading of Data Base - 1991/92. 5. Federal Ministry of Aviation, Meteorological Services Department. Project Title: National Weather data collection system and
implementation of Regional Meteorological Telecommunication link requiring installation of Voice and teletype terminal equipment at Kano, Ikeja and Port Harcourt and procurement of Radio telephones for twenty stations. 6. Ministry of Science and Technology Project Title: Establishment of Science and Technology Data Bank and Information system. Project description: Activities under this project include acquisition and development of a Science and Technology Databank for the collection, processing storage and dissemination of data and statistics, including access to foreign R & D information. 7. Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research Lagos Project Title: Establishment of a Fisheries and Oceanographic Data Bank. Project Description The project aims at establishing a computer system to cope with processing, storage and retrieval of fisheries and oceanographic data; conducting social-economic studies to provide fisheries data for the 7 coastal states and undertaking measurement of toxic heavy metal concentration in fin fish and tuna. Targets include acquisition and installation of 2 units of microcomputers; establishment of 4 data collection Centres in each coastal state and training of data collectors and collection and analysis of toxic heavy metal concentrations of fin fishes and tuna. 8. National Office of Industrial Property (NOIP) Project Title: Development of Library, Information and Documentation Centre. The project is designed to provide facilities for the acquisition of industrial property information storage, retrieval and dissemination. 9. Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) Project Title: Development of FIIRO Headquarters. The project is designed to provide facilities for library, information and documentation and instal necessary hardware and software for computer link-up and establishment of an industrial data bank. 10. Project Development Agency (PRODA) ENUGU Project Title: Information and Documentation Services. Activities under this project will include establishment of specialised technical documentation and retrieval services for the dissemination of scientific and technological information. 11. Raw Materials Research and Development Council Project Title: Raw Materials Research and Development Information System. With the support of the UNDP, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) embarked on the establishment of a modern Computer Centre and library for the collection, processing, documentation and dissemination of information to relevant industries, R & D organisations and interested members of the public. 12. Federal Ministry of Education (i) National Primary Commission at Abuja. Establishment of Computer Centre at Abuja. The Project comprises of the establishment of Computer Centre in Abuja, purchase of mini- computer with 32 terminals, Computer Peripherals and furniture for the Abuja centre. (ii) The Federal Ministry of Education also plans to provide computer laboratories in all Federal Government Colleges numbering 45. The headquarters was also to be equipped to handle development of educational data processing, training and computer management. (iii) The National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna also plans a wide range of Computerisation of NTI Operations involving setting up of six Zonal MicroComputer-based centres around the country. (iv) At the state level the Ministry of Education in Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers and other states plan to introduce Computer Education in Secondary Schools in the 90s. The project involves the establishment of Computer units for teaching in selected secondary schools in the respective states and training of staff to handle the project. Development of an Educational Data Bank, and maintenance of computers (UNESCO Assisted). This project includes publication of educational statistics, collection of data and maintenance of computers in Federal Ministry of Education (FME) Schools. 13. Federal Ministry of Health Project Title: National Population programmes for Development Project Description (a) Collection, Collation and Analysis of Demographic data; (b) Development of integrated M.I.S. (c) Establishment of Research and Documentation centre on population related issues etc. 14. Federal Ministry of Labour - (National Provident Fund) Poject Title: National Provident Fund Computer Modernisation Programme. The project entails procurement of computer network comprising hardware and software which will be used for Lagos and other State offices. 15. Federal Social Development Installation of microcomputers and accessories for the Databank (Planning, Research and Statistics Department). The project envisages installation of micro-Computers and their accessories for the Data Bank in the Ministry's Headquarters. 16. Federal Ministry of Work and Housing - (Survey Department) Project Title: Establishment of Satellite Remote Sensing Unit and Data Processing facilities Project Description Purchasing of necessary equipment for the unit to enable its take-off and eventual processing of Satellite and remotely sensed images. 17. Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Project Title: Establishment of Data Bank Management Information system. The Project involves the establishment of a Data Bank and the setting up of management information system to ease data processing, storage and retrieval. Engineering Data Bank Design and Information Centre The project is for the construction of a Computer Centre, Library and Document Chamber for storage and retrieval of Engineering information. Establishment of Data Bank and Management Information System. Project involves the establishment of a data bank and setting up of management information system to ease data storage and retrieval. The Ministry in-charge of the Federal Capital territory also embarked on the establishment of the Agricultural Statistics Projects (Data Bank). The Databank will be involved in the Collection, Collation, Analysis and Preservation of Agric Data in line with the Federal Government guidelines for Agro Statistical Data collection. Establishment of Data Bank/Library Collation, storage and retrieval of all sorts of data in the form of texts, reports, studies, surveys for planning, development and administration. 18. Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs (Planning, Research and Statistics) - General Administration Project T:itle Computerization of various departments of the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs. 19. Delta State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources Establishment of Agro-Statistics and Data Bank. 20. Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources Agricultural Studies and Statistical Surveys The project deals with collection, compilation and analysis of data on livestock, fishery and major food crops grown in Enugu State for purposes of effective planning, monitoring and appraisal of on-going project. 21. Kwara State min. of Agric. & Natural Resources Data Collection and Crops Assessment This project involves the purchase of microcomputers for data processing and storage. 22. National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) Computer and other equipment, Library/Documentation Centre To provide an efficient information management system, as well as specialist Library Documentation Centre. 23. Federal Ministry of Water Resources Planning, Research and Statistics Department Water Resources Statistics, Reference Library and Documentation Centre and Data Bank. (UNDP Assisted). 24. Fed. Min. of Mines Power & Steel Electrical Inspectorate Dept. Data Bank, Computer/Word Processor. The project involves the provision of Databank, Computer/Word Processor. 25. Fed. Min. of Employment Labour & Productivity Establishment of a Cooperative Data Bank and data base on self-employment. 26. Federal Ministry of Aviation, Meteorological Dept National Weather data Collection System and implementation of Regional Meteorological Telecommunication link. Installation of voice and teletype terminal equipments at Kano, Ikeja, Port Harcourt and Abuja and radio telephones at 100 meteorological stations throughout the Country. 27. Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria Development of rubber data bank. 28. National Inst. For Trypanosomiasis Research (NITR) Development of infrastructures for Documentation and Information support systems 29. Ogun State Ministry of Health Development of State Health Data Bank. Provision of computer facilities. 30. National Population Commission Establishment of Population Data Bank at Headquarters. Development of a Population Data Bank linked to the National Data Bank for Storage of data on population and related areas. 31. National Sports Commission Planning, Research and Statistics Establishment of Data Bank; Purchase of computers & accessories, desktop publishing outfit and facilities for processing and storage of data on Sports and Youth activities in the country. 32. Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Establishment of Data Bank and Baseline studies. It involves collection, collation and retrieval of data for planning and monitoring of environmental problems. The target is to procure and establish a computer centre. 33. Yobe State Data Bank Registry and Library Development. This will involve the purchase of literature, Reprographic equipments, Microfilms, registry materials, photocopying machines and cabinets for the office furnitures for the New Data Management Centre. 34. National Commission for Women Provision for a database on women affairs and computerization of the Commission's activities. 35. Abia State Computerized Budget Publication and Data Bank Provision of 10 mini-computers and accessories for the Bureau of Budget and Planning. 36. Osun State Construction of the Computer Centre Establishment and Development of Software Application Programmes 37. Rivers State Construction of Data Bank Data bank for data collection, collation, processing and storage on industrial, Trade, Co-operative, Tourism, General Administration and produce matters. 38. Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development 1. Objectives The primary objectives of these are, therefore: (i) to encourage various government agencies and departments to provide, on a continuous basis, accurate and timely data on agricultural output, prices, incomes, inputs, production costs and so on; (ii) to adopt a system of agricultural census that will secure, prepare, tabulate and release annual agricultural data on all aspects of agriculture on a fairly standard format throughout the states on a set date within each year; and (iii) to inculcate a statistics and record keeping culture in agricultural production. 2. Strategies The objectives will be achieved through: (i) the establishment of a Central Agricultural Data Bank to contain all data relevant to agricultural development and maintenance of it in such a manner that information retrieval from it will be easy, quick and reliable; (ii) the strengthening of all statistical units in the various agricultural agencies and departments at all levels of government; (iii) the involvement of private agencies and companies by government, creating conditions that will facilitate data collection and dissemination from them. In this regard, government will use acceptable ways and means of compelling private companies to comply; (iv) the establishment of a comprehensive
National Remote Sensing Centre which will, among other things, focus on generating data on
agricultural production, backed by an internal capability in the Ministry of Agriculture,
Water Resources and Rural Development; (v) the evolvement of a national system for the continuous monitoring of all agricultural prices. The informatics activities include: Computerisation and Establishment of a Databank. The project is aimed at the installation of IBM PC/AT compatible Computers, Multi-user micro computers, Laser Plotters, scanners, printers and necessary software that will lead to the computerisation of the accounting system of the Ministry and establishment of the Central Agricultural Reference Library. The project is aimed at acquiring, preserving and making available information to the Ministry and general public for both agricultural and academic purposes. Also to serve as requisite for a sound Agro Data Bank. The Agricultural Sector Macro-Planning Capability of the Databank will provide facilities to users to enable them review and analyze govt. policies (macro-economic) through policy simulation model analysis of fiscal, monetary, tariff, export promotion and its implications on the agric sector thus improving macro economic frame work. Similarly, the Agricultural Statistics, Data Bank and Information Dissemination project will entail: (i) The acquisition of data processing facilities with appropriate capacity; (ii) The establishment of 4 zonal offices; (iii) Installation of a microcomputer at each zone and later in each state and Abuja. The major issue is to formulate a workable framework that would take into consideration all those involved in the production and use of agricultural data and to eliminate or at least minimise the observed shortcomings of current efforts. The National Agricultural Data Bank would integrate fully with the National Data Bank domiciled in the National Planning Commission.The NADB coverage would reflect relevant data on crops, livestock, fisheries, forestry, water resources and irrigation, land resources and support services in the agricultural sector. 39. Edo State Min. of Agriculture Agro Statistics and Data Bank This project is a proposed reservoir of primary and secondary data/statistics for agricultural planning and development. The capital components of the project include the purchase/installation of micro computers and other peripheral equipments. 40. Lagos State Min. of Agriculture Agricultural Statistics and Data Bank The purchase of survey equipment and Data Processing Machines will be undertaken. 41. National Water Resources Institute Water Resources Data Bank Project The project involves collection, collation, validation, analysis, processing and publishing of hydrological, meteorological and hydro-geological data for planning and research purposes; development of software and hardware components; and training of students and staff of the Institute and others in the water sector. It is planned to collect, collate, validate, analyse and process hydro-data and related services for research and planning; process and publish data collected and purchase of IBM micros together with line printers. There is also a plan for the development of Library and Documentation Unit. This project is aimed at equipping the
Institute's library with books, journals, research reports, microcomputers and
peripherals. 42. Federal Min. of Industries Planning Research and Statistics Department Industrial data bank Under this project, the Industrial Data Bank will be fully established in the Federal Ministry of industries to cater for those requiring information on the industrial sector. The project will involve purchase of desk computers and communication equipment as well as provision of desk computers to be linked to the main frame computers for the storage and retrieval of information. 43. Fed. Min. of Trade & Tourism. Policy and Management Computerisation of the management and statutory functions of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and establishment of a National Trade Information Network which will cater for the provision and maintenance of a Data Bank of Trade Information required to service and facilitate Export Trade to include Import regimes of other countries, tariff and non-tariff barriers, prices etc. 44. Federal Ministry of Labour (Cooperatives) Establishment of a Cooperative Data Bank The project involves the collection and storage of cooperative data for effective planning. 45. Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) Establishment of Data Bank and Baseline studies. It involves collection, collation and retrieval of data for Planning and monitoring of environmental problems'. The target is to procure and establish a computer centre. In addition to the above informatics activities in ministries and extra ministerial departments, the following international and national institutions are empowered by the acts establishing them to develop databanks of national interest. These include: 46. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Decree no. 32, 1967. The institute has, over the years been undertaking studies of and research into tropical agriculture and of providing information thereon to authorised representatives of governments or to groups or bodies of persons, interested in tropical agriculture. In carrying out the general responsibility assigned to it by sub-section of this section, the institute may pursue all or any of the following objectives:
47. Federal Environmental Protection Agency Decree no. 58 of 1988 Functions of the Agency
48. Nigerian Institute of Transport and Technology Decree no. 6 of 1986 The Institute is charged with the responsibility of the establishment of a Data Bank for the collection, collation and analysis of all economic and technological data relating to all aspects of transportation. 49. National Centre for Economic Management and Administration Decree no 51 of 1989 Objectives and functions of the Centre are:
50. Energy Commission of Nigeria Decree no. 32 of 1988 The commission consists of the following Departments, that is
51. National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure Decree no. 33 of 1992 Functions of the Agency include:
52. National Mathematical Centre Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 Functions and powers of the Centre are:
Telematics Activities in Nigeria Since Nigeria's independence in October 1, 1960, up till 1993, only four national development plans were executed under the Ministry of Communications supervision, and these plans provided about 400,000 installed direct exchange lines (DEL). In 1992, barely seven years after NITEL (Plc) was established, new technologies - electro-magnetic digital, satellite fibre optic, INMARSAT, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) -were introduced into the national networks. Up till 1989, all the exchanges and transmission facilities were of analogue system. Nitel has now successfully introduced the digital system into the network with a total of over 160,000 digital lines within the period of 3 years, that is, between 1990-1993. Apart from providing a number of improved telecommunication facilities to the populace, Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) Plc, has been recently identified as housing the most suitable computer communications for the use of the South Investment Trade and Technology Exchange Centre (SITTDEC), a collaboration of the G15 countries working to facilitate South-South co-operation with its headquarters in Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia. The Centre's mission is principally to foster and promote investments, trade and techno- logy in the South countries by providing relevant, authoritative and accessible information to governments, organisations, corporations and individuals in the south countries. The network capacity of NITEL's 450,516 lines in 1991 was increased to 600,000 at the end of 1992 and to about 1,000,000 at the end of 1993. With the establishment of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in December 1992, the telecommunications industries in Nigeria have now been completely privatised. Areas thrown open to private operators include:
The terms of reference of the commission include:
The Commission, as a regulatory body was therefore mandated to maintain and ensure a healthy competition among service providers in order to check abuse of market power as well as protect the interest of the telecommunications users from any unfair conduct on the part of the service providers. As of April 1994, 40 private companies have been officially licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission to operate telecommunications services in the country. One of the NITEL's most significant achievements in the last 3 years, that is, between 1990 and 1993 was that up to 60% of the total of about N12 billion invested in the provision of the digital exchanges, transmission links, gateways, and cellular telephone system was from the company's internally generated revenue. The first time that NITEL's services were going wire-less was when the mobile cellular telephone system services were introduced. The cellular systems introduction into Nigeria was the first of its kind in Africa South of the Sahara. Across the country today, about a quarter of the total number of telephone lines is of the digital system. To solidify the company's place on the world map of telecommuni- cations, NITEL went into joint ventureship with Digital Communications Limited of Atlanta, Georgia, USA in 1992, to form the Mobile Telecommunications Services (MTS) Limited to provide the state-of-the-art telecommunications services. NITEL's Research and Development (R & D) was put in place in 1992 to develop and improve system components to suit the environment and put NITEL in the fore-front of information technology. In line with this development, another joint venture agreement to provide data communications services known as DATANET was negotiated with SATCOM. In 1992, a Rural Telecommunications programme which it intends to sustain as part of its contribution to overall national economic growth was introduced. Research and Development Research and development in NITEL is strategically designed to identify and develop solutions to technical problems as the launching pad for technological self-reliance and the introduction of new services. The shift from purely theoretical to applied research has enabled NITEL to design and fabricate systems that are tailored to Nigeria's environmental conditions. Collaborative arrangements were also made with Universities and other Research Institutions. These collaborative efforts led to the design, development and fabrication of devices and systems on up-to-date technology by NITEL, one of which is the Cable Theft Alarm Device. During the first quarter of 1993, the voice mail, the paging system, trunked radio, and phone card were introduced by NITEL. 15,000 voice mail lines, 100,000 pagers and trunked radio were provided. The voice mail can be accessed from anywhere in Nigeria or other countries throughout the world by using the cellular telephone or touch-tone telephone. For now, there are three kinds of pagers available and only Lagos and Abuja are within the coverage areas of paging services. This means that messages can be sent to or from anywhere in the world within these areas: Some of the advantages of a pager include the freedom of users to go anywhere within the coverage area and be reached, i.e. a pager subscriber in Lagos and Abuja can receive messages from anywhere in the world at any time. The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is another technological feat which made it possible to employ a range of services via one telephone line. The services included were electronic mail, video telephone [tele-conferencing], telefax, etc. NITEL Research and Development [R & D] efforts also supported the evolution of a maintenance philosophy which enabled NITEL to do away with the services of contractors in system maintenance. For instance, NITEL staff designed and fabricated loop converter modules, which used to be imported at higher costs, to meet the demand for private networks based on leased and Special circuits. The cellular is also being used by NITEL to provide celluphone telecommunications services to some local government areas in support of Federal Government efforts towards rural development. Network Expansion by Nitel The network expansion which NITEL is seriously pursuing will add about 510,000 direct exchange lines between 1993 and 1995. This will represent more than 100% increase in the network capacity within 4 years. To ensure that all local government headquarters in the country without telecommunication services are provided with services, for a start, 25 councils in parts of the nation are now being linked with celluphone by NITEL. The project called National Telecommunication Improvement Project (NTIP) was to provide additional 74,000 lines. Nigerian Telecommunications engineers and technicians enhanced adaptation of the Pentomat T600 equipment, which contributed positively to the increase in revenue generated and also enhanced the performance of the equipment. In the area of telematics, Nigeria presently has a telephone penetration of 0.4 (i.e. 4 telephone lines to 100 inhabitants). Prior to May 1992, Nigeria's telephone services were restricted to conventional telephone and telex/telegram. With the NITEL now a fully commercialized autonomous company, there is now a tremendous restructuring of the telecommunications industry and management rationalization for accelerated telecommunications. Now, management of telecommunications development in Nigeria is organised at three hierarchical levels, namely:
NITEL currently provides a variety of other services which include the following:
However, despite the above significant achievements, many users have always experienced some difficulties with NITEL's facilities. For example, the recently funded Food Technbology Information Network by the IDRC and implemented by the African Regional Centre for Technology (ARCT), Dakar, Senegal, aimed at improving computer communication and networking in five member countries - Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal, which has amongst others, the objectives of facilitating exchange of information through on-line linkages and networking, had made tremendous achievement in Kenya, Morocco and Senegal but had encountered tremendous difficulties in the communication systems in Nigeria and Cameroon. Recommendations for formulation of an effective National Policy on Informatics The Nigeria nation is made up of governmental institutions organised into three tiers - the Federal, State and Local tiers of government. At each level, there also exist several parastatals, research institutes and extra-governmental agencies which concentrate on the realisation of stated national objectives within their sphere of activity. Since policy is action or plan aimed at having an impact on the relevant parameters of a socio-economic environment, factors such as:
Apart from these, the Government had not adequately articulated policies which would ensure that the public at large, is exposed to this new and vital information technology. As a way out, 1. It is necessary that our policy making process and agencies are made open and receptive to new ideas and techniques capable of articulating socio-economic challenges into policy needs for effective policy outcomes. 2. Policy formulation processes must thus be made not only responsive and adaptive to changing circumstances but also improved in such a way that identified distortions and factors responsible for institutional drift common in policy implementation are eliminated. 3. Maintain records of policy enactments with a view to ensuring coordination, coherence and stability in the policy process. 4. It is therefore imperative to complement these measures by ensuring the harmonisation of policy instruments, resources and the policy objectives of establishing a sound self-reliant national policy on informatics. 5. In this regard it is necessary to introduce measures aimed at streamlining societal structures with a view to eliminating sources of conflict in authority and responsibility as well as allowing for innovation and creativity in our public agencies. 6. Since policy is planned at having an impact on the relevant parameters of a socio-economic environment it is necessary for research findings to be made available to policy makers responsible at the foundation level of policies in order to assess options, structure, choice, anticipate problems and establish policy trade-offs. Conclusions This report was put together after a number of visits to a number of agencies involved in policy formulations and informatics activities in Nigeria. There are quite many of these agencies, most of which sprang up between 1988 to date, some duplicating existing services, while others lack facilities to implement assigned policies. In actual fact, there is no national informatics policy in the country. What we have witnessed are ad-hoc policies not backed by any statutory legislation. However, there are quite a substantial number of informatics activities in all the various sectors of the economy. The only missing gap is a National Policy to co-ordinate these activities. It is hoped that as the political tension settles, the country will be in a position to harness her material and human resources for the promotion of a viable technological development for the benefit of her people and the entire African region. A. Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Offering Courses Incomputer Science as Approved by the National Board Fortechnical Education (NBTE). Name of School Course qualification
1. Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State Computer Science ND/HND 2. The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, omputer Science ND/HND 3. Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Afikpo, Abia State Computer Science ND/HND *4.Yaba College of Technology,Yaba Lagos. Computer Studies ND/HND 5. Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna Computer Studies ND/HND 6. Institute of Management & Technology,Enugu,Enugu State Computer Studies ND/HND 7. Osun State Polytechnic, Iree Osun State Computer Science ND 8. The Polytechnic, Ibadan,Ibadan Computer Studies ND/HND `` `` Integrated Business) NCE `` `` Education/ ) Computer Science 9. Kaduna State Polytechnic,Zaria Computer Science ND 10.Rivers State Polytechnic,Bori Computer Science ND/HND 11.Our Saviour Institute of Science, Agric. & Tech. Enugu Computer Science ND `` `` `` Computer/Economics `` `` `` Computer/Integrated Science `` `` `` Computer/Physics ) `` `` Computer/Chemistry ) `` `` `` Computer/Biology )NCE `` `` `` Computer/Introductory Tech. `` `` `` Computer/Integrated Business Education 12. Kwara State Polytechnic,Ilorin Computer Science ND/HND 13. Adamawa State Polytechnic,Yola Computer Science ND 14. Federal College of Education, Computer/ Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State Mathematics NCE *15. Federal College of Education, Computer/Social NCE Kontagora, Niger State Studies Computer/Mathematics 16. Federal College of Education Computer/Education/ (Technical),Akoka, Yaba,Lagos Integrated Science NCE Computer Education/Mathematics 17. College of Education,Ikere- Computer Science/ Ekiti, Ondo State Intregated Science NCE `` `` Computer Science/Mathematics NCE `` `` Computer Science/Chemistry NCE `` `` Computer Science/ Physics NCE 18. St. Andrew's College of Computer Education/ Education, Oyo, Oyo State NCE Mathematics NCE `` `` Computer Education/Physics NCE `` `` Computer/Biology NCE `` `` Computer/Chemistry NCE 19. College of Education, Ila- Computer Science/ Orangun, Osun State Chemistry NCE Computer Science/ Economics NCE Computer/Integrated Science NCE 20. College of Education, Oju, Oturkpo, Bendel State Computer/Maths NCE Computer/Chemistry NCE Computer/Physics NCE Computer/Biology NCE * These institutions have just been
designated as Centres for Informatics Studies by the National Commission for UNESCO,
Lagos. B. Nigerian Universities and Colleges of Education Awarding Degrees and Certificates in Computer Education Name of School course Qualification 1. University of Abuja Computer Science B.Sc. 2. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi Computer Science B.Tech. 3. University of Benin Computer Science B.Sc. 4. University of Calabar Computer Science B.Sc. 5. University of Ibadan Computer Science B.Sc. 6. Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Computer Engineering B.Sc. `` `` Computer Science/ Economics B.Sc. `` `` Computer Science/ Mathematics B.Sc. 7. University of Ilorin Computer Science B.Sc. 8. University of Lagos Computer Science B.Sc. 9. University of Uyo Computer Science B.Sc. 10. Fed. Univ. of Tech. Minna Computer Science (with options) B.Tech. 11. University of Nigeria, Nsukka Computer Science B.Sc. 12. Usman Danfodio Univ. Sokoto Computer Science B.Sc. 13. Enugu State University of Science & Technology Computer Science/ Engineering B.Eng. 14. Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti Computer Science B.Sc. 15. Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye Computer Science/ Education B.Ed. Computer Science B.Sc. 16. Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo Computer Science B.Ed. 17. Rivers State University of Science & Tech. Computer Science B.Sc. Computer Enginee- ring B.Tech. 18. Ladoke Akintola Univ. of Tech. Ogbomoso Computer Science/ Engineering. B.Tech. References 1. Mandil, Sallah in Helina '93: IT for health. Computers and Communications in Africa, Vol. 7, No. 4, July/August 1993. p64-67. 2. Moidu, Khalid op. cit 3. Mugambi, Paul E. Informatics Policy and Science and Technology Communication in Uganda. In Electronic Networking in Africa: Proceedings of a Workshop on Science and Technology Communication Network in Africa, August 27-29, 1992. Nairobi, Kenya.pp. 125-137.4. UNESCO 22nd General Conference, Paris, 1991. 5. Semenyuk, E.P. Informatics: Achievements, prospects, possibilities. Muscow, Nauka Publishers, 1988. 6. Adesanoye, Festus (1989). " Structural balance of information: Communication engineering through policy". In Tony Nnaemeka, E. Uvieghara and D. Uyo (eds.) Philosophy and Dimensions of a National Communication Policy. Vol.1, CBAAC, Lagos, pp95-106. 7. Aiyepeku, W. Olabode (1991). Towards a National Information and Informatics Policy. Paper presented at a Seminar on Libraries and Information Services for National Development. Lagos, 11-19 Sep. 1991. 29p 8. Etim , F.E. (1992) The use of Scientific and Technical Information in the production sector of the Nigerian economy. Ibadan, Department of Library, Archival & Information Studies. Phd. Thesis. 9. Amoda, M. and C.D. Tyson (1979). Technological Development in Nigeria. New York, Third Press International. 470p. 10. National Library of Nigeria (1991). National Policy on Information Resources and Services. Proceedings, Seminar on Libraries and Information services for National Development, Lagos, 11-19 Sep. 1991. 11. Modum, Uche (1992). Computer Education and Training. Paper presented at asymposium on Computer Services in Industry in Nigeria. Jos, Computer Association of Nigeria, 7th May 1992. pp8-11. 12. Akintayo, M.O. (1991). The Relevance of out-reach programmes in capacity underutilization of resources in Higher Education in Nigeria, 1990s. The Educational Planner, Vol.1 Nos 3-4, 1989/90. pp. 89-103. 13. Modum, Uche op. cit. 14. Daini, O.A., R.O.A.Makanjuola and J.O.
Ojo. Hospital Information System in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital: a model.
Proceedings, First International Working Conference on Health Informatics in Africa.
Ile-Ife, Nigeria,19-23 April 1993. pp103-112.
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