Year in year out, statements around using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to develop the Nigeria’s economy have never been found missing anywhere Nigerian government officials talk technology.
Unfortunately, those words have never been translated into action, real concrete action; which is one of the reasons the country’s economy is bleeding today. Sadly, making flowery policy statements that would never be implemented is a phenomenon that predates the current administration and has continued under the administration, such that one is likely to accept it as the Nigerian tradition.
Bad as it is, the Nigerian economy is today suffering from those policy statements of the past that were never put into action and those of present that have so far remained as mere statements. In the face of the current stringent economic condition caused in part, by insecurity, one is bound to ask: In what way is Nigeria adopting technology to address these security challenges? Obviously, if there is any, it is still on papers, in theory, or at best on the lips of those voicing them.
Interestingly, the current administration claims to have identified several areas of national security threats, such as cyber-attacks, terrorism, kidnapping and hired assassination, but has yet to find any technological solution to address them.
Apart from global drop in oil prices, militants in the Niger Delta region are busy vandalising oil pipelines and oils facilities, a situation that has further decreased the total output of the oil that the country produces for export, thus losing huge amount of money to pipeline vandalism. The same is applicable to cyber-attacks, where Nigeria is said to be losing over N127 billion to cybercrimes yearly. The issue of kidnapping for the sake of placing ransom on victims is also rampant and mindboggling these days in the society; and these security realities (rather than mere threats) are creating great fears among Nigerians and scaring away potential foreign investors.
Earlier this year, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, had told the media that the Federal Government was set to boost investment in Nigeria’s technology to enhance security in the country. While he said that the government would not disclose in detail efforts being made in this regard, he assured Nigerians that the proposed technology was guaranteed to aid security across the country.
On his part, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, had about the same time declared government’s readiness to focus on technology for economic growth as oil price nosedives. The minister who spoke glowingly about the government’s readiness to create a SMART Digital Nigeria convinced the audience that technology would be the next big thing in the country as it would be deployed on all areas of governance.
According to Shittu, a distinguished lawyer, the government had identified five steps to be taken, which include: Building on ICT sector Growth by Improving Infrastructure and Quality of Service; SMART government to deliver ICT and broadband penetration via Government, soft infrastructure, commerce, broadband penetration, security, information accessibility; Increasing revenue and reducing waste while fostering transparency and accountability using ICT; Policy continuity for private sector led continuous innovation and growth; and migration to a digitally smart Nigeria through capacity building, job and wealth creation and creating enabling environment for entrepreneurship to flourish.
Those statements from both ministers with technology portfolio pointed towards the government’s policy of developing the economy with technology; but they still remain statements as at today, which calls for serious concern as insecurity continues to deal huge blows on the economy.
Countries that appreciate the importance of technology for national security do not joke with steps such having a detailed and centralised database of all citizens, institutions (whether private or public), the financial system, indeed the whole gamut of the country’s social system; as installation of surveillance cameras at strategic places, but how many of such exist in the country today?
It is time the government quit talking and begin to act. In today’s environment, proactive Information Technology-led approach is the best way to combating the menace of insecurity.
Having a national database with appropriate redundancy is no rocket science; and, the earlier Nigeria implements this better for her security system, which ultimately will also improve social security and cohesion as well as economic growth.
The country must also begin installations of more close circuit television (CCTV) cameras on across the country including on major highways, at traffic lights and security check points and other strategic places, while further training security personnel on the proper use of security installations and gadgets. Besides training our security personnel, especially those who interface directly with the civil security such as the police force, motivation has also been identified as a key determinant of how the men and women in the force discharge their duties. On this level, the Nigerian government has failed woefully so far. It is left to be seen if this administration will step up on the welfare and motivation of the Nigeria Police Force.
The government must realise that without safety, every other effort at developing the economy is a waste of time and it must begin to apply basic technology tools and solutions in combating criminal activities in the country, rather than physically chasing suspected criminals with guns and sophisticated ammunitions; the world has since moved away from that; nor will the continuously technologically advancing world wait for Nigeria.