Themes on Telecommunication in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects
Chapter One
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH
The aim and objectives of this research work are:
- To provide a conceptual framework for the Nigerian telecommunication industry.
- To appraise the legal, policy, codes, administrative guidelines, and institutional mechanisms in response to telecommunication regulation in Nigeria.
- To appraise the issues, challenges and prospects in regulating the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.
- To proffer practical solution for the regulation of telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
ROLE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Telecommunications service as infrastructure plays an important role in the economic, political and social development of any country. Like any infrastructure, it is expected to stimulate economic growth and development. It has been shown that telecommunication services are used in connection with a wide range of economic production and distribution activities, delivery of social services, and government administration (Saunders, R. J. et al (1994) pp, 22-29). Similarly, the National Policy on Telecommunication (2000) observed that, telecommunication is a vital engine of growth of any economy; it is an essential infrastructure that promotes the development of other sectors such as agriculture, education, industry, health, banking, defence, transportation and tourism. It is indispensable in times of national emergency or natural disasters. It considerably reduces the risks and rigours of travel and arrests rural-urban migration. Telecommunication is now widely considered a strategic investment to maintain and develop competitive advantage at all levels – national, regional and firm. It constitutes the core of, and provides the infrastructure for the information economy as a whole. For instance, telecommunications service is the bedrock upon which information technology and its derivatives such as electronic banking and commerce are built. Telecommunications facilitate market entry, improve customer services, reduce costs, and increase productivity. It is an integral part of financial services, commodities markets, media, transportation and the travel industry and provides vital links among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Information is regarded today as a fundamental factor of production, alongside capital and labour. The information economy accounted for one-third to one-half of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and of employment in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries in the 1980s. Information economy also accounts for a substantial proportion of GDP in the newly industrialized economies and the modem sectors of developing countries. For example, in their study of some countries in the Asia and Pacific region, Jussawalla, M.et al ( 1988), using data of the late 1970s, found that information sector as proportion of GDP were: Singapore 25 per cent, Indonesia 19 per cent and Malaysia 14 per cent. However, in Nigeria the telecommunication services contribution to GDP was paltry, averaging 0.3 per cent of total GDP during the period 1966 – 2000. Similarly, in terms of employment generation, private telecommunications operators generated only 7,000 new jobs since the first licence was issued in 1996. Telecommunication services can substitute for other forms of communication (mainly postal service and personal travel) and are often more effective and more efficient than those forms in their use of time, energy and materials and in their effect on the quality of the environment. Telecommunication is an essential feature of globalization of affecting international trade-flows of investment, technologies, services and the world economy as a whole, of which free market is today the moving spirit. Global telecommunication provides the opportunity for a country to share in the wave of science and technology developments, and the general economy in positive ways that account for the remarkable economic growth in advanced countries and the newly industrialized countries.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the themes on telecommunication in Nigeria: challenges and prospects using Selected NCC, Oyo state as case study form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain themes on telecommunication in Nigeria: challenges or prospects
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of themes on telecommunication in Nigeria: challenges or prospects
Summary
This study was on themes on telecommunication in Nigeria: challenges or prospects. Four objectives were raised which included: To provide conceptual framework of the Nigerian telecommunication industry, to appraise the legal, policy, codes, administrative guidelines and institutional mechanisms in response to telecommunication regulation in Nigeria, to appraise the issues, challenges and prospects in regulating the telecommunication industry in Nigeria and to proffer practical solution for the regulation of telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design and conveniently enrolled 80 participants in the study. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from NCC, Oyo state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
It concludes that, the development witnessed thus far in the telecommunication industry may not graduate into actual growth for the Nigerian economy an issue that will continually dominate research in the nearest future.
Recommendation
The study recommends among others, the urgent need to institutionalize the localization of the technology that drive the operations of these Foreign Service providers to reduce over dependence on the MNCs
References
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- Ahmed, A. (1993). Forward to Central Bank of Nigeria: Perspectives of Economic Policy Reforms in Nigeria. Ikeja: Page Publishers Services Ltd.
- Ajayi, G. O., R. I Salawu, and T. I Raji (1999). “A Century of Telecommunications in Nigeria- What Next?” in Noam, Eli (ed) Telecommunications in Africa. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press pp: 163-179.
- Ajiboye, J. O., E. O. Adu, and J. I. Wojuade (2007). “Stakeholders Perceptions of the Impact of GSM on Nigeria Rural Economy: Implication for an Emerging Communication Industry” Journal of Information Technology Impact Volume 7, Number 2 pp: 131- 144.
- Alabi, G. A. (1996). “Telecommunications in Nigeria” a lecture delivered at the University of Pennsylvania African Centre, March 27
