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Using Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT) to Actualize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria: A Mission yet Accomplished

Okwubunne Anthony Chukwudi, Mabude Charles Nnamdi, Ejiata Godbless Chukwudi, Okorhi Johnson Ojiyowvi

Abstract— Since the introduction of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the United Nations Millennium submit held in September 2000 by the

193 United Nations, Nigeria and other member countries have been working assiduously to meet up with the 2015 target date as agreed by the UN as- sembly. The question of how the MDGs can be achieved within the stipulated time and the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) made this paper imperative. The major focus of this work is to look at the way forward by using ICT to actualize the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria. This paper understudied the key challenges and uses of ICTs to drive the achievement of the MDGs with a specific focus on poverty eradication, education, gender equality, health, and environmental sustainability.

Index Terms— Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Nigeria, Target, United Nations

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1 INTRODUCTION

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can be an extremely powerful enabler in efforts to bring positive and sustainable development to countries around the globe [1], amidst this, Planners, policy makers and researchers hold highly polarised and equivocal views on the diffusion of In- formation and Communication Technology (ICT), its role in promoting objectives such as poverty alleviation, universal education, reduction in mortality and health hazards, and sus- tainable development, and in bridging the digital as well as socio-economic divides in the world [2]. It is pertinent to note that ICTs are making dynamic changes in society. They are influencing all aspects of life [3]. Tinio [4] states the potentials of ICT as follows:
ICTs greatly facilitate the acquisition and absorption of knowledge, offering developing countries unprecedented op- portunities to enhance educational systems, improve policy formulation and execution, and widen the range of opportuni- ties for business and the poor. One of the greatest hardships

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Okwubunne, Anthony Chukwudi is a Scientific Officer II with National Centre for Technology Management, an Agency of the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria and is currently pursuing masters degree program in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. E-mail: tonyblaze06@yahoo.com

Mabude, Charles Nnamdi is currently pursuing masters degree program in the

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo Univer- sity, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. E-mail: mabudecharles@rocketmail.com

Ejiata, Godbless Chukwudi is currently pursuing masters degree program in the Department of Food Science and Technology, Obafemi Awolowo Universi- ty, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. E-mail: mailgodbless@yahoo.com

Okorhi, Johnson Ojiyowvi is a Senior Scientific Officer with the National Cen-

tre for Technology Management, an Agency of the Federal Ministry of Science

& Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria and

is currently pursuing his doctoral study in Technology Management at the In- stitute of Engineering, Technology and Innovation Management (METI), Uni-

versity of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. E-mail: okorhi4oj@yahoo.com
endured by the poor, and by many others, who live in the poorest countries, in their sense of isolation, and ICTs can open access to knowledge in ways unimaginable not long ago.
As described in [5], ICTs have revolutionized the way peo- ple work today and this is a sufficient reason for ICTs to win global recognition and attention. For instance, ICTs are de- pendable tools in facilitating the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Though ICTs play significant roles in representing equaliza- tion strategy for developing countries, the reality of the digital divide (i.e. the gap between those who have access to, and control technology and those who do not), make a huge dif- ference in the use of ICTs. This means, that the introduction and integration of ICTs at different levels and various goals of MDGs is the most challenging undertaking. Failure to meet the challenges would mean a further widening of the knowledge gap and deepening of existing economic and social inequalities among the developed and the developing coun- tries [3].

1.1 The Concept of Information Communication

Technologies (ICT)

ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communica- tions Technology. There are different understandings of the concept “ICT” and as such authors have given their different definitions of ICT which includes:
Blurton [6] sees ICT as “a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, dissemi- nate, store, and manage information while [7] sees it as “the use of information in order to meet human need or purpose including reference to the use of contemporary devices such as the Internet”.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Devel- opment (OECD in 1998) defines ICT as the combination of manufacturing and services industries that capture, transmit,

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display data and information electrically [8] and [9] defines it as the study or business of developing and using technology to process information and aid communications.
In all these differing definitions of ICTs from various scholars, an attempt to provide a more comprehensive definition of ICT, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Or- ganisation UNESCO (2006) gives the definition as forms of technology that are used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information (cited by [11]). Jimoh and Salawu [11] further stated that this broad definition of ICT includes such technologies as radio, television, video, DVD, telephone (both fixed line and mobile phones), satellite systems, computers, internet, hardware and software as well as the equipment as- sociated with these technologies such as video conferencing, electronic mail, online banking, electronic commerce, etc.
From all indications, ICT (information and communica- tions technology - or technologies) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encom- passing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and net- work hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning [12]. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, rural development, or libraries and as such this paper is properly placed. Therefore, this paper shall explore the roles of this technology products or tools in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria.
From all the definitions above, we can define Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to include all the ac- tivities associated with information gathering, Information storage, Information Management, Information dissemination or communication, and the technologies that enable all these. Thus, the role of ICT in actualizing the MDGs would imply how the application or integration of these items listed under ICT definition in the preceding sentence above, in the national agenda, would ensure significant national development.

2 Outline of MDGs

At the United Nations Millennium submit held in September
2000, World leaders agreed to a set time-bound and measura-
ble goals and targets. In the end, there are eight (8) goals,
eighteen (18) targets and forty-four (44) indicators. The es-
sence of these goals is summarized in table 1 below:
The aim of the MDGs which were agreed upon by all the
193 United Nations member states including Nigeria and at least 23 international organizations is to achieve these goals by the year 2015; to encourage development by improving social and economic conditions in the world’s poorest countries [13].
Hence this paper shall explore how ICT can be used to achieve each of the goals.

3 THE ROLE OF ICT IN ACHIEVING MDGS

3.1 The Role of ICT to Goal 1

So far, government has made substantial input towards achieving this goal through deregulation of the telecom indus- try. This has led to reasonable proportion of Nigeria’s popula- tion moving into the telecom sector either as importers of tele-
com equipment, distributors, retailers, maintenance engineers, marketers, etc. Each of these constitute job field that can ac- commodate many people, thereby increasing income base which implies elimination of extreme poverty and hunger. On the other hand, the existence of the internet has also increased access to market since a lot of products and services can now be accessed over the internet as against the traditional mar- kets.

3.2 The Role of ICT to Goal 2

ICT can be adapted into the educational system through digit- izing of teaching techniques. Audio enabled textbooks and other relevant study materials can be utilized to enhance un- derstanding.
ICT can be very useful in carrying out a survey to deter- mine what percentage of the population is educated and vice versa. Data mining techniques can be applied to come up with information that could be useful for government decision making which could increase government’s budgeting in the area of education. ICT also broadens sources of quality educa- tional materials and resources.

3.3 The Role of ICT to Goal 3

The normal mobile phones, computer systems, televisions, and other electronic gadgets which are ICT tools are not gen- der discriminatory. This shows in one way that ICT promotes gender equality. However, this ICT equipment like the televi- sion through the media can be very useful by initiation of awareness programs that promote gender equality.
The man power for the use of the ICT equipment can be made unisex such that jobs created around this area can accommo- date both men and women. Thus through ICT, jobs are created for women without any disparity. Also, ICT provides equal rights among men and women as there is no restriction in its mode of operation.

3.4 The Role of ICT to Goal 4, 5 And 6

The advent of mobile communications, teleconferencing facili- ties and multi-media capabilities of ICTs, have been of tre- mendous benefit in healthcare delivery. Thus, spatial differ- ences between medical specialists, medical centers and pa- tients have been eliminated. It has now become a common phenomenon for doctors on call duty not to be restricted to their homes waiting for a call or within the coverage distance of a local paging facility. Today the doctor on call can move freely with his mobile phone and can easily be reached, in case of an emergency, to give initial instructions on how to manage the patient while he is on his way to the hospital if necessary. With broadband facilities and video conferencing, doctors in one part of the country, or in any part of the world for that matter, can consult with other specialists in any part of the world on any medical case of interest.
The existence of health information system has been useful
in the management of health care records and services. ICTs
increase access of rural care-givers to specialist support
and remote diagnosis, and enhance delivery of basic and in-
service training for health workers as well as increase monitor-
ing and information-sharing on disease and famine [14].

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3.5 The Role of ICT to Goal 7

The existence of remote sensing technologies and communica- tions networks assists in more effective monitoring, resource management, mitigation of environmental risks.
ICT can also help to ensure greater transparency and moni- toring of environmental abuses/enforcement of environmen- tal regulations; Facilitate knowledge exchange and networking among policy makers, practitioners and advocacy groups.

3.6 The Role of ICT to Goal 8

ICT enable LDCs, landlocked countries and small islands to link up with the global market to accelerate their progression and full integration into the world economy through the use of internet and searchlight services.
Distance working facilitated by ICT opens up opportuni- ties to create service-sector jobs in developing countries in such industries as call centers, data entry and processing, and software development and telecentres create direct employ- ment for men and women as well as improve youth learning skills, employability to meet the challenges of the knowledge- based global economy.

4 GOVERNMENTS’ EFFORTS

In an attempt to actualize the MDGs, the three (3) tiers of gov- ernment in Nigeria have been working tirelessly towards achieving it. Committees that have been setup to meet-up with the health needs of Nigerians includes Local Action Commit- tee on Aids (LACA), State Action Committee on Aids (SACA), National Action Committee on Aids (NACA), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), etc. For poverty reduction, the Fed- eral, State and Local government formed National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS) and with the help of UNDP drafted Local Economic Empow- erment & Development Strategy (LEEDS) to help provide strategies in reducing poverty and empowerment pro- grammes to aid in reaching the rural communities in Nigeria. Government has also embarked on massive construction and renovation of schools (Education sector), hospitals and provi- sion of portable water supply (Environmental Sustainability) to various villages, towns and recruitment of primary school teachers through Federal Teachers Scheme (FTS) throughout the states of the federation.
With the policies (efforts) of Nigerian government, the tel- ecommunication industry has been revolutionized [15] and this has helped in connecting more Nigerians to the interna- tional community through the introduction of a number of private telecommunication operators licenced to provide both mobile and broadband services. This in return has created more employment opportunities for both men and women alike. The banking sector was not left out in that the twenty- five (25) Nigerian banks are connected to the internet such that their customers can have access to the Internet Banking system that provides wide variety of banking options.

5 RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Recommendation

There is need to employ the expertise of a systems analyst to
understudy how ICT can be effectively implemented in re- mote areas especially those areas that feel that ICT impacts negatively on their culture and values. The inhabitants of these areas need to be acculturated into the ICT world for them to embrace the associated development. Therefore, while we support extensive use of ICT to achieve the MDGs, we admonish that government should adopt policies that sup- press the negative trends associated with ICT such that the culture and values of the people would not be threatened by the implementation of ICT strategies.
There is also need to introduce user friendly and interac- tive ICT tools for learning e.g. audio enable textbooks. ICT enabled entertainment can be deployed to serve as a means of relaxation to ease off tension, and make the people happy be- cause a happy mind can actually translate to a productive mind.

5.2 Conclusion

This paper has identified the nexus between the deployment of and exploitation of ICTs in realizing the achievement of the MDGs. Therefore public private partnership should be pur- sued in order to achieve the MDGs in Nigeria by 2015.

6 REFERENCES

[1] B. Gutterman, S. Rahman, J. Supelano, L. Thies, and M. Yang,, “Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education for Development”, 2009. White Paper retrieved on 06-08-2012

[2] UNDP, “ICT and Human Development: Towards Building a Composite Index for Asia” Realising the Millennium Development Goals, 2004. Tech- nical Paper retrieved on 06-08-2012

[3] F. Mikre, “The Roles of Information Communication Technologies in Educa- tion” Review Article with Emphasis to the Computer and Internet, 2011. Re- trieved on 06-08-2012

[4] V.L. Tinio, "ICT in Education: UN Development Programme", 2002. (Re- trieved from http:www.eprmers.org on 06-08-2012)

[5] D.M.. Watson, "Pedagogy before Technology: Re-thinking the Relationship between ICT and Teaching". Education and Information Technologies, 6, 4,

251-266, 2001.

[6] C. Blurton, “New Directions of ICT-Use in Education”. Available online http://www.unesco.org/education/educprog/lwf/dl/edict.pdf; Retrieved

06-08-2012.

[7] D. Chandler, R. Munday, "Information technology", A Dictionary of Media and Communication (first ed.), Oxford University Press, http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&en try=t326.e1343, retrieved 1 August 2012

[8] A.K. Viitanen, “The role of ICT in Poverty reduction” Advisory board for relations with developing countries, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs,

2003.

[9] Definition of Information and Communication Technology by Webopedia.

Available online http://www.webopedia.com; Retrieved 06-08-2012.

[10] M. Rouse, “Definition of ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies)”, 2005. Available online http://searchcio- midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/ICT; Retrieved 06-08-2012.

[11] A.A. Jimoh, and S.A. Salawu, “The role of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) in the achievement of the millennium development goals

(MDGs)” The Voice of Teachers, Vol1 No. 2, 2009.

[12] A. Garba, “Education and the MDGs: A peripheral analysis” An invited lead

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paper presented at the 6th national Conference on Education and the MDGs, organized and hosted by Federal College (Technical), Bichi, between May 26 and 29, 2008.

[13] United Nations Development Programme (UNDPI), “Millennium Develop- ment Goals (MDGs), 2006. Retrieved on 06-08-2012 from UNDP website: http://www.undp.org/mdg

[14] G. Kabanda, (2006). "Impact of Information and Communication Technolo- gies (ICTs) on millennium development goals (MDGs): Context for diffusion and adoption on ICT innovations in East and South Africa". Journal of African Studies and developments. Vol 3(8), pp. 154-170, 2006.

[15] M.O. Awoleye, O.W. Siyanbola, and F.O. Oladipo, "Adoption assessment of Internet usage amongst undergraduates in Nigeria Universities - a case study approach". Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 3(1), 84 - 89,

2008.

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TABLE 1

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS, TARGETS AND INDICATORS
SOURCE: UNITED NATIONS (2000)

GOALS

TARGETS

INDICATORS

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1A: Halve between 1990 and 2015 the proportion of

people whose income is less than USD 1 a day

Target 1B: Achieve full and productive employment and

decent work for all, including women and young people Target 1C: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

1. Proportion of population below $1 (1993 PPP) per day (World Bank)

2. Poverty gap ratio [incidence x depth of poverty] (World Bank)

3. Share of poorest quintile in national consumption (World Bank)

Prevalence of underweight children under five years of age (UNICEF-WHO)

5. Proportion of population below minimum level of dietary energy con-

sumption (FAO)

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary Education

Target 2A: Ensure that by 2015 children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of prima-

ry schooling

6. Net enrolment ratio in primary education (UNESCO)

7. Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 5 (UNESCO)

8. Literacy rate of 15-24 year-olds (UNESCO)

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Target 3A: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and sec- ondary education preferably by

2005, and at all levels of education no later than 2015

9. Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education

(UNESCO)

10. Ratio of literate women to men, 15-24 years old (UNESCO)

11. Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector (ILO)

12. Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament (IPU)

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Target 4A: Reduce by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015 the under-five mortality rate (U5MR)

13. Under-five mortality rate (UNICEF-WHO)

14. Infant mortality rate (UNICEF-WHO)

15. Proportion of 1 year-old children immunized against measles (UNICEF- WHO)

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Target 5A: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

Target 5B: Achieve universal access to reproductive health by

2015

16. Maternal mortality ratio (UNICEF-WHO)

17. Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel (UNICEF- WHO)

Goal 6: Combat HIV, AIDS, malaria, and other major diseases

Target 6A: Have halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the

spread of HIV/AIDS

Target 6B: Achieve by 2010 universal access to treatment for

HIV/AIDS for all those who need it

Target 6C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the

incidence of malaria and other major diseases

18. HIV prevalence among pregnant women aged 15-24 years (UNAIDS-

WHO-UNICEF)

19. Condom use rate of the contraceptive prevalence rate (UN Population

Division)

19a. Condom use at last high-risk sex (UNICEF-WHO)

19b. Percentage of population aged 15-24 years with comprehensive correct

knowledge of HIV/AIDS (UNICEF-WHO)

19c. Contraceptive prevalence rate (UN Population Division)

20. Ratio of school attendance of orphans to school attendance of non-orphans aged 10-14 years (UNICEF-UNAIDS-WHO)

21. Prevalence and death rates associated with malaria (WHO)

22. Proportion of population in malaria-risk areas using effective malaria

prevention and treatment measures (UNICEF-WHO)

23. Prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis (WHO)

24. Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under DOTS (interna-

tionally recommended TB control strategy) (WHO)

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Goal 7: Ensure environmental Sustainability

Target 7A: Integrate the principles of sustainable develop- ment into country policies and programs and reverse the loss

of environmental resources

Target 7B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a

significant reduction in the rate of loss

Target 7C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without

sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation Target 7D: By 2020 to have achieved a significant improve- ment in the lives of at least

100 million slum dwellers

25. Proportion of land area covered by forest (FAO)

26. Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area

(UNEP-WCMC)

27. Energy use (kg oil equivalent) per $1 GDP (PPP) (IEA, World Bank)

28. Carbon dioxide emissions per capita (UNFCCC, UNSD) and consumption of ozone-depleting CFCs (ODP tons) (UNEP-Ozone Secretariat)

29. Proportion of population using solid fuels (WHO)

30. Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water

source, urban and rural (UNICEF-WHO)

31. Proportion of population with access to improved sanitation, urban and rural (UNICEF-WHO)

32. Proportion of households with access to secure tenure (UN-HABITAT)

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

Target 8A: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable,

non-discriminatory trading and financial system

Target 8B: Address the special needs of the least developed

countries

Target 8C: Address the special needs of Landlocked Develop- ing Countries (LLDCs) and

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

33. Net ODA, total and to LDCs, as percentage of OECD/Development Assis-

tance Committee (DAC) donors' gross national income (GNI)(OECD)

34. Proportion of total bilateral, sector-allocable ODA of OECD/DAC donors

to basic social services (basic education, primary health care, nutrition, safe

water and sanitation) (OECD)

35. Proportion of bilateral ODA of OECD/DAC donors that is untied (OECD)

36. ODA received in landlocked developing countries as a proportion of their

GNIs (OECD)

37. ODA received in small island developing States as proportion of their

GNIs (OECD)

38. Proportion of total developed country imports (by value and excluding

arms) from developing countries and from LDCs, admitted free of duty

(UNCTAD, WTO, WB)

39. Average tariffs imposed by developed countries on agricultural products and textiles and clothing from developing countries (UNCTAD, WTO, WB)

40. Agricultural support estimate for OECD countries as percentage of their

GDP (OECD)

41. Proportion of ODA provided to help build trade capacity (OECD, WTO)

Debt sustainability

42. Total number of countries that have reached their Heavily Indebted Poor

Countries Initiative (HIPC) decision points and number that have reached their HIPC completion points (cumulative) (IMF - World Bank)

43. Debt relief committed under HIPC initiative (IMF-World Bank)

44. Debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services (IMF-World

Bank)

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