Poverty Reduction in Nigeria Using Information Technology

Abstract

According to a UNDP Report (1998), about 54% of Africa’s population is estimated to live in absolute poverty. Currently in Nigeria, rapid change and vigorous development in information technology (IT) is occurring, changing Nigerians’ way of life, as well as the country’s economic strength, national power, and international competitiveness. The status of a country or nation in the global political and economic framework depends on the general rule of the development and progress of IT. With development and innovation going hand in hand and knowledge becoming one of the most important factors in determining standard of living, most advanced economies and companies today are those that play the knowledge card as a tool to drive development. Therefore, in this paper, the authors examine the categories, causes, and effects of poverty and how poverty reduction can be achieved in Nigeria with information technology (IT).