e-NIGERIA 2005 June 28th – 30th, 2005 Mrs. Ibukun Odusote Director, Information Technology, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja FRAMEWORK FOR ICT DEPLOYMENT IN NIGERIAN RURAL AREAS FRAMEWORK FOR ICT DEPLOYMENT IN NIGERIAN RURAL AREAS

ICT: Definition ICT can simply be defined as the various knowledge and technologies that aid information dissemination and communication

ICT: Applications THE COMMUNITY AND SMALL BUSINESSES TELEMEDICINE DISTANCE EDUCATION & E-LEARNING EMERGENCY SUPPORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ICT Applications

LOW INCOME PER CAPITAL HARDLY ANY JOB OPPORTUNITIES LACK OF GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES RESULTING IN APATHY INADEQUATE POWER UNRELIABLE TRANSPORT & DAMAGED ROADS LOW EDUCATIONAL LEVELS (HIGH ILLITERACY RATE), THE UNIQUENESS OF THE RURAL COMMUNITIES

GETTING IT DONE Strategies that work Affect mindsets through campaigns, rallies, etc IMust be an All-encompassing View View PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT MANAGEMENT Deploying Technology that is Location resistant CONSTANT MONITORING

STRATEGIES: People (Youth) Why YOUTH? Belief in invincibility makes for willingness to try new things Over 60% of the population is less than 35 years old Selling the IT vision to the Youths Key Strategy This can be achieved by making Provision for personal development, Positive Peer Pressure, Constant information flow and Platform for global participation

STRATEGIES: People (Youth) OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATION BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES OR PLATFORMS FOR OR PLATFORMS FOR GLOBAL PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES OR PLATFORMS FOR OR PLATFORMS FOR GLOBAL PARTICIPATION DERIVING A LIVING FROM IT IT IT, AS A VIABLE CAREER OPTION IT, AS A VIABLE CAREER OPTION THROUGH CAMPAIGNS, RALLIES, SEMINARS IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE WORKPLACE. (UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, CORP MEMBERS AND PEOPLE IN THE WORK PLACE) THROUGH CAMPAIGNS, RALLIES, SEMINARS IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE WORKPLACE. (UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, CORP MEMBERS AND PEOPLE IN THE WORK PLACE)

STRATEGIES: People (Youth) TRAINING Establish Computer Training Centres Private and Government can organise and/or sponsor Competitions and Camps Civil Society (NGOs) can organise short camps, trainings and seminars

STRATEGIES: People (Adults) Make them see it as a viable and affordable means to achieve their social goals Local and relevant content - language issues must be addressed Technology should be Simple enough to be easily taught and learnt

STRATEGIES: Technology Technology should be designed to be easily installed, maintained, affordable to the end-user, and resilient to the prevalent conditions Relevant Research in the Universities and Research Institutions Wireless Systems, IP technologies, VSat, satellite based internet, clock-work radio, have defied the problems of the rural environment to a degree

STRATEGIES: Power Alternative means of power supply Batteries & Inverters Solar panels Wind energy Micro-hydro projects Alternative means of power supply Batteries & Inverters Solar panels Wind energy Micro-hydro projects World Bank Report …even if the energy market was liberalized it may still not provide the Rural areas with electricity

Financing IT Popularisation GovernmentGovernment Civil Society (NGO)Civil Society (NGO) Community CooperativesCommunity Cooperatives Private organisationsPrivate organisations –Microfinancing –Event sponsorship –Training Sponsorship

DDDDIRECT SSSService Suppliers IIIINDIRECT BBBBoost job creation RRRReverse the rural-urban migration AAAAdvance global participation EEEEncourage local content generation Benefits of going back home

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Harness the Strength of Young People –I–Inspire them –T–Train them –E–Empower them All ICT projects should be built with economic and social components. Constant monitoring – Assessing goals and gains All hands must be on deck!

Thank you Mrs. Ibukun Odusote Director, IT, Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Radio House