The Prospects of M-Voting Implementation in Nigeria

Since independence, an average of 50% of registered voters participates in voting [1]. Similarly, an increasing rate of apathy was observed between the electorate and the elect, which was not unconnected with lack of transparency, accountability, and probity on the part of government [2]. Thus the electorate did not see the need to subject itself to any stress. Consequently, government is very committed to implementing the forth coming elections through e-voting. This paper proposes the prospects of m-voting implementation in Nigeria through the use of mobile phones, PDAs, etc. with guaranteed security, secrecy, and convenience in a democratization process. It also reviews the level of adoption of GSM in Nigeria, the implication of voting through the GSM, and finally introducing m-voting innovation in the voting process to increase voters’ access and participation rate in election

Characteristics and Methods of Wetlands Utilization in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A., Nigeria

Wetlands are valuable resources currently facing severe threats world over due to the drive for economic growth, development and agricultural practices. However, in order not to lose these wetlands, it is imperative that studies be carried out to ensure the sustainable use of wetland resources. This paper therefore examines the various human activities, development strategies and management style of wetlands in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. The sample for this study consisted of 339 wetlands users in 8 communities randomly sampled from the 36 identified wetlands communities in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A. Findings from the study reveal that government policies, poverty, societal belief, low technology and other human activities in the area affects wetland development and management. The results strongly show that these factors vary with location and intensities. The study recommends that there should be a wetlands inventory and conservation plan, wetland protection and management guidelines based on proper landuse planning techniques. Also there is a call for environmental impact assessment, community participation, awareness creation and adequate budgetary provision for the planning, development and management of wetlands in the area in line with the current realities of climate change. Keywords: Wetlands, resources, sustainable development, community participation, land use planning

E-Commerce Adoption in Nigerian Businesses: An Analysis Using the Technology-Organization-Environmental Framework

Business organizations around the world engage in e-commerce (EC) and e-business to support business operations and enhance revenue generation from non-traditional sources. Studies focusing on EC adoption in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) are just beginning to emerge in the extant information systems (IS) literature. The objective of this current study is to investigate factors impacting the acceptance of EC in small businesses in SSA with Nigeria as an example. A research model based on the Diffusion of Innovation (DIT) and the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) frameworks were used to guide this discourse. Such factors as relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, management support, organizational readiness, external pressure, and IS vendor support were used to develop relevant hypotheses. Questionnaires were administered to respondents in Nigeria and data analysis was performed using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. Predictions related to relative advantage, management support, and IS vendor support were confirmed; the other hypotheses were unsupported by the data. The study’s implications for research and practice are discussed in the chapter

An Empirical Evaluation of the Effects of Gender Differences and Self-Efficacy in the Adoption of E-Banking in Nigeria: A Modified Technology Acceptance Model

The issues of gender disparity in the usage of information technology (IT), as well as self-efficacy, have received considerable interest and attention among researchers in recent times. Prior research has identified that gender differences and self-efficiency affect the attitude towards adoption and use of technology. In general, females are believed to be disadvantaged compared to their male counterparts with respect to IT usage and acceptance. The reasoning is that males are mostly more exposed to technology and tend to have more proficiency with such tools. Very little information exists in the extant literature regarding perceptions in developing parts of the world, including Africa. In this chapter, an empirical evaluation of the issues in the context of e-banking will be made in Lagos (Nigeria) and its environs. An extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be used as a conceptual framework to guide the discourse. Data analysis was done on SPSS 15.0. The study’s results showed that gender differences moderated the acceptance of e-banking of users in the research context. Namely, computer self efficacy and perceived ease of use were of concerns to females, but less so for their male counterparts. Also, perceived usefulness of e-banking is discovered to be the most influencing factor for male users. The study’s implications for research and practice are discussed in the chapter

M-Commerce Implementation in Nigeria: Trends and Issues

Nigeria was described as the fastest growing telecoms nation in Africa and the third in the World. The country had experienced a phenomenal growth from a teledensity of 0.49 in 2000 to 25.22 in 2007. This trend has brought about a monumental development in the major sectors of the economy, such as banking, telecoms and commerce in general. This paper presents the level of adoption of ICT in the banking sector and investigates the prospects of m-Commerce in Nigeria based on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Findings revealed that all banks in Nigeria offer e-Banking services and about 52% of the offer some forms of m-Banking services. The banks and the telecoms operators have enormous potentials and opportunities for m-Commerce but the level of patronage, quality of cell phones, lack of basic infrastructure and security issues pose a major threat to its wide scale implementation

Evolution of New Coastal Urban Lifestyles in West Africa: Implications for Planning Sustainable African Cities

UN Habitat reports that though Africa is still the least urbanised continent of the world, it however, has the fastest rate of urbanisation. Two third of this population reside in small and intermediate coastal centres with 60% in cities of less than 500,000 inhabitants. The major trend in Africa like other places in the world shows that a larger portion of these urban areas are located in the coastal zones. In West Africa the rate of this growth is higher than the continent’s average. Urbanisation in West Africa is poverty driven with very low socio-economic transformation; this has led to the evolution of different lifestyles among the people even in rich countries like Nigeria. This rapid urban growth has led to the drowning so to say of the original inhabitants of those areas. In the area, the current thematic coastal issues of climate change and sea level rise have captured researchers interest with little focus on lifestyles of the inhabitants of these cities. The study therefore aimed at examining the possible evolution of new lifestyles over time resulting from the urban expansion and the wider implications of these especially for the socially excluded- fisher folks, wetland farmers, indigenous people, women and the youth of West Africa in these urban centres. The study relied mostly on data from Nigeria where a case study was taken. Five coastal cities were sampled and studied. These were purposively selected based on their history of rapid urbanisation in recent years and the fact that they have some incredible, outstanding and natural beautiful beaches, and extensive coastal wetlands and mangrove forest. The study covered traditional coastal cities with population of 20,000 and above. On the whole one thousand four hundred thirty six respondents were studied. The result presented similar situations in all cities though some were more pronounced in cities of Calabar, Bonny, Illaje and tended to show poor or lack of physical planning as a major indices leading to the evolution of such lifestyles. The study made strong predictions as well as suggest planning framework to improve and integrate the lives of all population groups in West African cities. Keywords: coastal zone, urbanisation, lifestyle, sustainable city, West Africa, physical plannin

A Framework for e-Commerce Implementation: Nigeria a Case Study

The advent of the Internet has transformed the business environment in no small measure and has influenced the ways and manner businesses are transacted. This platform has brought about enhanced electronic and mobile business transactions. However, the advent of e-Commerce, m-Commerce or i-Commerce has placed a premium on the participating organisations or nations in terms of provision of the basic infrastructure for a secure, seamless and trusted business environment through the electronic media. This paper presents an exploratory study of the prospects of e-Commerce implementation and the factors inhibiting its growth. A set of questionnaire was designed, administered and analysed based on political, economic, social and technological (PEST) analysis. The PEST analysis is to help review the current practices with a view to developing a framework for Nigeria and other developing nations in Africa. Findings revealed that the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) is the most widely used medium of e-Payment in Nigeria, which is not very suitable for e-Commerce implementation. Similarly, the Internet penetration is still abysmally low and is one of the major threats to e-Commerce implementation. However, the nascent democracy enjoyed in Nigeria is faced with some teething problems, but it promised with time, relative political stability, direct foreign investment, improved economical atmosphere, improved social services and technological development more than ever witnessed in the country. Therefore, a viable framework for Nigeria and Africa would be such that involves the private and public partnership (PPP). This consortium is expected to provide the platform for access to the Internet and popularize the use of e-Payment among other things

A Framework for Sustaining Rural Development Program: Evidence from Micro-Panel Data in Nigeria

The jettisoning of virtually all rural development programs in Nigeria is a clear testimony to their unsustainable execution and the non-functionality of current methodology used in achieving sustainable rural development (SRD). This paper develops a basic framework for sustainable rural development projects execution based on a neo-concept of participation. We conceptualize that sustainable rural development is a function of institutional framework, managerial capacity, stakeholders’ participation, training and monitoring. The paper develops quantifiable proxies for an objective specification and went on to estimate our novel model of SRD.  The findings from the study indicate that the index of managerial or entrepreneurial skill, stakeholders’ participation and training are the three most fundamental determinants of project sustainability. Keywords: Sustainable Rural Development, Random Effect Model, Participatio

A Framework for Sustaining Rural Development Program: Evidence from Micro-Panel Data in Nigeria

The jettisoning of virtually all rural development programs in Nigeria is a clear testimony to their unsustainable execution and the non-functionality of current methodology used in achieving sustainable rural development (SRD). This paper develops a basic framework for sustainable rural development projects execution based on a neo-concept of participation. We conceptualize that sustainable rural development is a function of institutional framework, managerial capacity, stakeholders’ participation, training and monitoring. The paper develops quantifiable proxies for an objective specification and went on to estimate our novel model of SRD.  The findings from the study indicate that the index of managerial or entrepreneurial skill, stakeholders’ participation and training are the three most fundamental determinants of project sustainability. Keywords: Sustainable Rural Development, Random Effect Model, Participatio

Dance Aesthetics and Cultural Implications: A Case Study of Ekombi Dance and Asian Uboikpa Dance

Dance is an active tool in the society because it not only expresses the feelings and aspirations of the people but it also showcases the cultural values that are entrenched in the people's culture. Interestingly, our traditional dances possess all these qualities thereby making these dances an instrument of communicating social values. This study attempts to appraise the Ekombi and Asian Uboikpa dances of the Efiks and Ibibios in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. It also tries to situate that these dances have huge cultural values that define the socio-religious beliefs of these localities. This study states that the growth of our traditional dances, especially the Ekombi and Asian Uboikpa dances under review will rely on the ability of the choreographers to really understand the socio-cultural and religious standpoints of these dances. Keywords: Dance aesthetics; Traditional Dances; Ekombi; Asian Uboikpa; Dance Educatio