Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training among Lecturers in the South-South Zone in Nigeria by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC)

Introduction

The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and the Digital Bridge Institute (DBT) Abuja, an arm of the NCC organized and co-sponsored their first zonal workshop on Advance Digital Appreciation for lecturers from universities, polythenics and colleges of education in the south – south zone of Nigeria. The workshop took place between 16 and 20 October 2006 at the Federal Polythenic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State (Okiy & Tiemo, 2007). Another phase of this excise took place in Delta State University, Abraka. One of the center in the South-South zone in Nigeria, between 14 and 18 April, 2008. The NCC, in a bid to ensure the application of ICT in Nigeria higher institutions, organized this workshop for lectures. According to Okiy and Tiemo (2007) the workshop is meant for lectures in higher institution with a view to equipping them with knowledge and skills of ICT which would facilitate the research and teaching in their various respective institutions. Ojeme (2007) quoting the Dean of the Faculty of Art University of Lagos Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju “that ICT had improve research and development in institution of higher learning and other agencies, that this ICT has eased the computerization of results and allowed for networking and accessibility of the internet. ICT has assisted in teleconferencing, reduced traveling and ensured safety and faster dissemination of information. A survey conducted by Olugbile (2006) revealed that many lecturers in Nigerian universities lack computer knowledge and that there is a high level of ICT literacy among the new breed of lecturers than old professor teaching in the nations various institutions. Various reasons such as lack of funds, inadequate ICT facilities, and lack of training programme was responsible for this trend. As a result of this the NNC organized this workshop for Nigeria institution to be given a good rating internally. Under the programme which is sponsored by NCC about 12,000 lecturers in Nigeria institutions will be trained in the next five years to expose them on a new methodologies of courses delivery so as to improve on their quality of products and reposition them for the current challenges of globalization.

Nwankwo (2006) quoting the Chief Executive Officer of DBI, that a report from the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria states that there are only 3,451 skilled ICT staff against 8,350 required in the next five years. This he said represented a human resources compliant deficit of 4,899 and if this problem is not properly addressed, could compound the global marginalization of Nigeria in the emerging digital economy.

This research will attempt to find out the success recorded among participant and their perception toward the programme. It also intends to find out whether the programe is meeting up to expectation.

Methodology