The role of ICT in information seeking and use amongst research officers in research institutes in Nigeria: The nigerian institute for oceanography & marine research institute experience
- Librarian/information scientist, C/O, Mrs. Violet Ohimain, P.M.B.12729, Victoria Island, LAGOS, Nigeria
Summary
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is on the lips of every nation of earth because it brings innovation into information seeking and knowledge acquisition. It is on this premise that this study is embarked upon to identify the roles ICT plays in information seeking and use amongst research officers in Research Institutes in Nigeria. The paper case studies the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos using questionnaires, interviews, personal observation and examining relevant records. One hundred and seventy two research officers of the institute were sampled upon. The study examines awareness, use, exposure to ICT; role of ICT and improvements on ICT tools among other things. Results show that ICT plays an immense role in information sourcing, generation, processing, storage/retrieval, dissemination and even entertainment. Also, it shows that for ICT to be used optimally and maximally, there is need to have steady/regular power supply, workable/stable infrastructure and provision of more ICT tools and centres. Recommendations were made to the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide reliable sources of electricity and infrastructure or adapt the technology to local conditions and requirements (e.g. current/planned infrastructure). Manufacturers of ICT tools are urged to use non-radioactive materials in the manufacture of the tools. Other stakeholders should check for security and provide for more African sites.
Introduction
Humankind is endowed with the urge to seek for ways to better their lot. This urge has led to many discoveries in science and technology of which information communication technology is among the top in the list in this contemporary time.
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is the term given to define the sector encompassing all converging technologies that carry information — it includes traditional telecommunications, informatics, broadcasting (radio and TV), cable television, multimedia Internet, geographic information systems, etc. (CIDA, 2003, p. 13). ICT is an invention of the developed countries of the world so, the acquisition and use of ICT tools is a household phenomenon in those countries. In the developing countries of the world, the technology's pace is not as astronomical as those of the developed countries, due to poor telecommunication infrastructure and lack of skilled workers. Telecommunication infrastructure remains the backbone for the application of a wide range of communications and multimedia services. Unfortunately, however, Africa's telecommunications networks have been found to be inefficient and less reliable than networks in other regions of the world (Ojedokun, 2000, p. 16). This study identifies that one of the constraints that researchers under this study encounter is poor network in telephone and Internet services. Alemie (1998) and UNDP (1997) as cited by Ojedokun (2000, p. 16), asserted that:
“Africa could be considered as virtually out of the picture as far as telecommunications is concerned with its share of world telephone lines being a meagre 2%.” A similar survey report by CIDA puts phone lines to 1.4 phone lines per 100 people in developing countries compared to 49.5 lines per 100 in developed countries in 2000. In Nigeria, in recent times, telephone lines have greatly increased due to the advent in Global System for Mobile telecommunication (GSM) network although this is mostly concentrated in the major cities.
In Nigeria, there is a “digital divide” in the use and access of ICT between the urban and rural dwellers. As research tools or information gateways, ICTs are concentrated in the metropolitan cities. Awareness about ICT and what it can be used for is quite on the increase in Nigerian cities, especially Lagos. Individuals, families, organizations, government agencies and ministries now make use of radio, telephones, computer systems and peripherals, television and Internet to source, generate, process, store, retrieve, and/or disseminate information/data. The Internet, which is relatively new, is enjoyed at various cyber cafés by students, housewives and workers. The research institutes, which consume the bulk of information, are not left out in the use of these technological tools. One such research institute is the Nigeria Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Lagos on which this study is based.
There is the need to find out, if ICT plays any role(s) in information seeking and use, what the role(s) is and how it plays the role(s). This paper seeks to find out answers to these questions.
Institution under study
The NIOMR is situated in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. NIOMR's headquarters is situated by the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Victoria Island of Lagos, Lagos State. It was created from the Marine Research Division of the Federal Department of Fisheries by the Research Institutes Establishment Order (1975) with effect from 1st November 1975 (Fig. 1).
What Rais sees as an important issue for Malaysia this time is ICT security, including the offences prevention methods, which he believes should be made uniform in all countries to ensure authenticity and the countries' sovereignty.
