THE INTERNET AND ITS CONTRIBUTIVE ROLE TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to find out the contributive role of the Internet in rural development in Nigeria. In order to achieve this aim, relevant literatures and theoretical framework were employed. An admixture of an appraisal and survey method were the research design used, while the instrument of data collection was the questionnaire, that were distributed to residents of Ekperi in Etsako west local government area in Edo State, using the purposive method . Data analysis was done using the sample percentage method, and it was discovered that the low level of Nigeria’s technological advancement and underdeveloped economy has made both the maintenance and global reach of its communication facilities impossible, as in majority rural areas receptions of Nigeria internet transmission are either poor or unavailable. Subsequently, recommendations were put forward with regards to the findings. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           i

Declaration   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ii

Approval-      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iii

Dedication-   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           iv

Acknowledgements -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           v

Table of contents -   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           vii

Abstract-        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1             Background of the study     -           -           -           -           -           -           -           1

1.2             Statement of Problem          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           6

1.3             Purpose of the  Study          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.4             Research questions -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.5             Scope of the study   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.6             Significance of the study    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           7

1.7             Operational definition of terms     -           -           -           -           -           -           8

1.8             Limitation of the study        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           9

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1       Review of relevance literature       -           -           -           -           -           -           10

2.2       Theoretical framework        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           14

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1       Design of the study -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           17

3.2       Population of the study       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           17

3.3       Sample and sampling techniques  -           -           -           -           -           -           18

3.4       Method of data collection -           -           -           -           -           -           -           18

3.5       Method of data analysis      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           19

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION

4.1       Data interpretation and analysis    -           -           -           -           -           -           20

4.2       Discussion of findings        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           28

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1       Summary       -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           30

5.2       Conclusion    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           31

5.3       Recommendations   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           31

            References    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           32

            Appendix I    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           35

            Appendix II   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           36

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

            The emergence of internet as a means of communication has revolutionized society and redefine the concept of development for both national and rural development. However, there is widespread research interest in internet and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) which are crucially important for sustainable development in developing countries.

            Suffice it to say that internet plays a crucially important role for sustainable development in developing countries, the question that hinge on this study is, what has been the contributive role of the internet toward rural development? Or can one say that the internet caught across all boundaries and locality? The answer may be yes, but one should be very careful not to mistake availability for accessibility, as the availability of the internet does not really mean that everybody have an access to it and also  is availability may not really mean that the global village concept of the internet have made it play a significant role in the development of rural areas.  

            It is obvious that internet alongside information communication technologies have strive the world with regards to information dissemination and reception thereby making it what Mcluhan refer to as global village.

            According to Baran (2004,p.299), there are conflicting versions about the origins of the internet. The more common story is that the Net is a product of the cold war in this version, the Air Force in 1962, wanting to maintain the militaries ability to transfer information around the country even if a given area was destroyed in an enemy attack, commissioned leading computer scientists dispute this “Myth fact”, that the internet was initially “built to protect national security in the face of nuclear attack”

            In the second version, as early as 1956 psychologist Joseph C.R. Licklider, a devote of Marshall Mcluhan’s thinking on the power of communication technology, foresaw linked computer creating a country of citizens “informed about, and interested in, the process of government” (Baran 2004,p.300).

            However, the terms “Internet” and Information Communication Technologies” (ICTs) would be used interchangeably in this study.

            Communication technology has been defined as “points of intersection where philosophical, scientific and aesthic discourse overlaps with mechanical techniques, institutional requirements, and socio economic forces…

            Technology and the knowledge used to produce it, or generated by it, are thus point of the socio-cultural field… or (Webb and Schirato 2006 cited in Shittu (2008,246).

            In citing Taimiyu (2000), Shitu (2008,p.246) defined the internet as the computer network, interconnected by the various telecommunication systems of various countries, globally, that store, transfer, or deliver messages and computer files in form of electronic signals twenty four hours daily.

            According to Anaeto (2008,p.76), “it is acknowledged that the global media channels (Satellite, internet, etc)” abound with their obvious advantage, but what is their contributive role to rural development?

            However, rural areas comprise open country and settlements with fewer than 2500 residents, areas designated as rural can have population densities as high as 999 per square mile or as low as 1 person per square mile (Wikipedia, 2014, March 6^th, 11:30a.m).

            With regard to development as a concept, Salawu (2008,p.15), note that “the concept development” has undergone a kaleidoscopic treatment over decades. In the past, development had been largely viewed as economic, with the development of a nation being marked with such indices as Gross National Product (GNP), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and Income per capital.

            In the same vein, Onosu (2009,p.3) explained that “development is a controversial concept, with about as many definitions as there are development experts. For instance from the economic perspective. Development tends to be looked at in terms of GNP an precipitate income from the technological point of view, development is seen as involving adequate provision of infrastructures and proper maintenance of existing structure… educational perspective on the level of literacy, which is a serious problem especially in the rural areas of developing countries.,.. furthermore the social-cultural perspective believes that inducing and smothering the process of socio and cultural change is a concomitant to development.

            In citing Soola (2002), Onosu (2009,p.5) continued thus:

A holistic view of development must conceive of development as people-centered, human capital-based, designed and packaged to promote the wellbeing of the beneficiaries of development benefits. It must recognize the need for people participation and self-reliance within the complex, increasingly interdependent world of globalization. Development must not only be both quantitative in a mutually beneficial and reinforcing manner, but must also appreciate the endogenous and endogenous dimension of development.

             According to Anaeto (2008,p.69), “development is a socio-economic phenomenon. It is about people and improvement” Rogers (1976) as cited in Anaeto (2008,p.75), avers that development is a widely participating process of social change in a society, intended to bring about social and material advancement (including greater equality, freedom and other valued qualities) for the majority of the people through gaining greater control over their environment.

However, it is always assumed that no meaningful development can be actualized in a country where the rural areas are not developed or relegated to the background. To this end, Folarin (1990),cited in Onosu (2009,p.6) states thus:

The community or local government is the ultimate locus of national development. If there is no development at the community level which is politically demarcated at world level or local government council area, any claim of development at the National level will be a sham.

In view of the above, Ukonu (2006,p.127) avers that a development conscious society must ensure courage between the process of development and the people’s perception of the activities of the media. In ensuring the linked, it is important and infact, necessary to discover whether a good number of the population is sufficiently exposed in the media and is capable of making productive use of the media messages. He further explained that since new piece of information waves are not direct product of our culture, our society has to adopt clear-cut policies on how to bring them into our social existence. The real need is empowering the audience to understand how to adapt new technology to indigenous needs, especially in the realm of internet wave.

             Citing National universities Commission NUC (2006), Chile (2006,p.121) states thus:

The critical point here is not the acquisition of hardware and ICT skills for their own sake but the use of ICT as a tool for learning… we need an ICT base for revitalizing the education system. With wide access, there will be a shift from mere teaching to reach learning environment.. a comparison of the state of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nigeria with the U.S. shows that 91 persons in 100 households own personal computers compared to the households in Nigeria. That America has 94 percent internet Access per 100 persons while Nigeria has four percent. 

            In view of the above, Magbagebeola (2004,p.144), avers that Lagos State has the highest number of ICT providers in the country. It is the hub of information networking in the country. Infact, the number ICT providers located in Lagos represent about 63 percent of the ICT providers in Nigeria. A major reason for this huge presence of ICT providers in Lagos has to do with its large market for ICT services… Next to Lagos is the federal capital territory, Abuja, which has 69 ICT providers having their corporate head office located there. Nevertheless, given the advancement in technology, it is possible for the ICT providers to reach other parts of the country were they are not physically located.

            By and large, it is obvious that with the above assertion it possible that the internet can be made to reach all nook and cranny of the country and possibly bring about rural development depending on the purpose of its usage and accessibility.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

            It is obvious that the availability of the internet does not really mean that it is beneficial or accessible to everybody or some communities in the world due to some factor.  

            According to Sooca and Alawode (2008,p.327) a major problem however, is what one may call lack of access to the internet or cyberspace. Non-affordability owing to poverty and ignorance even among the so-called elites is another consideration. Akin to these, is the problem of infrastructure (as electricity), as added impediment. Not many people have access to computer, and those who do, have to personally extend their expenditure to internet subscription to hook on the worldwide web”, with these gearing problems one begins to wonder how the internet can contribute effectively to the development of rural areas especially if some of them are illiterate.

            The question now is, can the internet be seen as playing a developmental role to rural areas when its availability seems some what far from its accessibility in rural areas? Or can one say that since some persons in the rural area can access the Internet, that can inference should be drawn that the Internet Constitute rural areas? What constitute rural development via the Internet in rural? Where and how can it be measured or evaluated?

1.3       PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

            The ultimate goal of this study is to access how effective the Internet has contributed to the development of rural areas. The study is also designed to find out whether majority of the ruralites have access to Internet before one can adjudge the Internet as being contributive to positive or negative rural development.

1.4             RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1)                  Do the Internet contribute effectively to rural development? Is it accessible to rural dweller?

2)                  Does it serve as a link between developed and developing Countries?

3)                  Are internet information geared toward rural development?

4)                  Are the rural dwellers challenged in any way when accessing the internet?

1.5       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

            The scope of the study will cover resident of Ekperi in Etsako Central Local Government Area Edo State. The research will be limited to information obtained from residents of Etsako Central local government area through questionnaire with regard to the Internet and its contributive role to rural development.

1.6       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

            This study will enrich the knowledge of those who are interested in internet or ICT and how it has contributed to rural development.

            The finding and recommendation of the study is hope to be immense benefit and assistance to rural dwellers in sensitizing them about usage and importance of the internet or otherwise.

            It is also hoped that the completion of this study will serve as reference material for future researchers who will or many have interest in carrying out research in relative area of study.

1.7       OPERATIONAL  DEFINITION OF TERMS

Communication: The activity or process of expressing ideals and feelings of giving people information.

Accessibility: Something that can be reached, entered, used, seen or easy   and friendly to talk to.

Internet: An international computer network connecting other network and computers from companies, universities.

Media: The main ways that large number of people      receives information and entertainment that is television, radio, newspapers and Internet.

Satellite: An electronic device that is sent into space and mores around the earth or another planet. It is used for communicating by radio, television and for providing          information. 

Kaleidoscopic: A toy consisting of a tube that you look through with loose pieces of coloured glass    and mirrors at the end. when the tube is turned, the pieces of glass move and form different patterns.

Revolutionized: To completely change the way that something is done.

Globally: Relating to or including the whole of something, or of a group of things.

1.8       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

            In carrying out this study, some of the respondents refused to collect the questionnaire and answer the questions, while some collect and point with them.

            More so, inadequate materials in the library were another cause of set back or limitation to the research especially the area that has to do with internet or ICT and rural development.