Implementing e-Services in Lagos State, Nigeria: the interplay of Cultural Perceptions and Working Practices during an automation initiative : Nigeria e-government culture and working practices

Accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of Government Information Quarterly.The public sector’s adoption of Information and Communication Technologies is often seen as a way of increasing efficiency. However, developing public e-Services involves a series of organisational and social complexities. In this paper, we examine the organisational issues of implementing an ERP system, which was designed and developed within the context of Lagos State’s e-Services project. By doing so, we showcase the impact of organisational cultural perceptions and working practices of individuals. Our findings illustrate the strong role of cultural dimensions, particularly those pertaining to religion and multi-ethnicity. Our study provides insights to international organisations and governments alike toward project policy formulation within the context of ICT-based initiatives and reforms that aim to bring forward developmental progress.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Evaluation on the effectiveness of the use of Management Information System (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. Niger State

This study investigated the effectiveness of the use of management information system (MIS) by students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. Specifically, four research questions guided the study such as what are the factors influencing the need for management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai? How effective is management information system to students in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai in terms of e-learning, e-accounting, e-administration, records keeping and e-communication? It adopted a descriptive survey design and had a population of 845 undergraduate students in the department of business administration Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai. The study used two hundreds undergraduate students through simple random sampling in business administration department. Two hundred (200) copies of the questionnaire were distributed with one hundred and seventy (170) returned; representing a return rate of 85%. The data collected were analyzed using percentages. The findings of the study revealed that there is need for management information system for effective records keeping of both students and staff files, the effectiveness of management information system has helped in the smooth running of university records, the challenges of management information system are lack of basic ICT skills, inadequate power supply, lack of management involvement in the design of MIS, low data concentration, lack of management support and inadequate ICT professionals. The study recommended that attention should be given to management information system for effective records keeping. There is the need to have an effective management information system in place for effective records keeping, the challenges facing management information system should be looked into and solve once and for all so that Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai will have an effective and reliable management information system for records keeping. Keywords: Management Information System (MIS), University, Students, Computer, Evaluation, Record

Understanding the introduction and use of a mobile device-supported health information system in Nigeria

Copyright @ 2014 The Authors.This paper presents an in-depth analysis of efforts to introduce a mobile health information system in Nigeria as part of a development initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health. Specifically, it examines the use of mobile devices to facilitate maternal health information accessibility and exchange among health practitioners in order to reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality. Further, it also looks at the challenges raised while introducing mobile devices into work practices in the healthcare sector. The study adopts a case study approach, relying on semi-structured interviews and document analysis as its main methods for collecting data. The specific case examined is a mobile phone-based information system introduced to support a national government effort in Nigeria, known as the midwives service scheme. The findings of this study show that this integrated approach of using mobile phones to support (health) information systems has vast potential; for instance increasing the timeliness of (health) data available to stakeholders for monitoring and planning purposes. However, we also find that over time, attaining the potential of development efforts such as this remains difficult as initiatives involving the use of mobile devices is not just about getting the technical aspect right. It is equally dependent on deep seated social-cultural influences such as poor political and financial commitment. These two mutually reinforcing influences have been identified in this study as significant impediments to efforts of this kind. Therefore, this paper argues for, first a strong political commitment across all levels of government whereby their words are backed with action. Second it is important that the government maintains financial integrity by releasing the funds budgeted to support the smooth running of these efforts, for such initiatives to thrive and ultimately contribute to development

Information Communication Technologies in the Management of Education for Sustainable Development in Africa

The growing complexities of university governance and the challenges posed to university managers in Africa makes the application of Hi-Techinformation and ICTs indispensable for quality assurance and goalattainment. The crucial role that ICTs play in effective management ofuniversity education for sustainable development in Africa was the focus ofthe paper. The paper analyzed the variables ICTs in students’ learning, ICTs in teaching and research, ICTs in university administration, and challenges of ICT application in African universities. On the basis of the foregoing analysis, proprietors of public and private universities and their top management were challenged to embrace the ICT revolution, integrate them into all areas of university life and properly fund the timely initiative. The need for this decision is both urgent and demanding

African Universities: Stories of Change

Profiles successful foundation initiatives in Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda that are reforming the higher education landscape in Africa

Accomplishments of the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, 2000-2010

Details the investments and impact of a funder collaborative focused on higher education in nine African countries, and each foundation's contribution. Discusses enduring improvements, increased resources, value added, and additional foundation efforts

TOWARDS A FUTURISTIC EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Majority of the nations of the world were colonized and went through wars at various times, but had turned around their fortunes through economic and educational reforms. In Nigeria however, there had been series of educational reforms from: 7/6-5-4 to 6-3-3-4 and now 9-3-4 system. Similarly, the recent reform in the higher education sector which has resulted into the conversion of the nation’s higher technical educational institutions to degree awarding universities, which arose largely from the disparity between the graduates of the two institutions in the labor market and the fallen standard of education. This paper presents a critical review of the various educational reforms with a view to designing a viable educational model based on the examples of some developed and developing nations. It attempts to proffer solutions to some of the existing problems

Policy Issues of e-Commerce Technology Diffusion in Southeast Nigeria: The Case of Small Scale Agribusiness

The benefits brought about by the emergence of e-commerce, e-business and other Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) applications have not been fully explored in the developing economies of the world. The less developed economies are still struggling to catch up with ICT application as opposed to its heavy deployment in the developed economies. Empirical evidence suggests that ICTs and other related technologies are increasingly emerging in the communities of the developing economies such as Nigeria. Rural actors engaged in the Agricultural industries (Agribusiness) feel that the implementation of ICTs can influence the development of new business processes and the way existing processes are organised. In the Southeast of Nigeria, which is a typical example of a less developed community, the impact of e-business technologies has yet to be determined. This paper identifies two classical traditional agribusiness supply chains and hence reports on the impact of e-commerce technology diffusion along the equilibrium of the supply chains, focusing on the elimination of intermediary actors from the chain. It provides an assessment of the Governments’ policies and strategies on e-commerce adoption for the sustainability of small-scale agricultural businesses. The paper examines the politics surrounding ICT implementations by actors engaged in the agribusiness sector. This research has motivated The South East State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, to give closer attention to their earlier policy of making Nigeria an ICT-enabled country