THE IMPACT OF INTERNET ON NIGERIA SOCIETY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The internet which represents a strong fusion of computing and communication technologies, has recorded an outstanding growth    in the past few years of its existence. While this may be attributed to the recent advance in both technologies, the main driving force seems however to be the general demand for better and faster information management system. This singular factor has steered computing to its height presently in the area of communication.

Communication as it may is the most popular internet activity which impact cannot be overemphasis. In view of the fact that communication by its very nature; especially in this Jet age is the product of internet. The various complex electronic advances made under the planning of some aspects of communication are nothing but Internet technology at work.  Therefore, whatever growth to be recorded in communication is a reflection of advancement in new information superhighway (Deusch land, 2000, p: 22)

          To critically examine the role of the internet in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria, there is need to know that in the very beginning, human interaction cum communication where limited to ting hamlets where population began to increase and spread all over the surface of the earth, reaching out to people in divert area, it become a near impossibility.  Before now, factors like geographical isolation, low level of technology and unawareness of the outside world among other things combined to tractate the process of communication. Today, things have changed. The internet has revolutionized human communication to the point that one can easily be in touch with some on in a distance land in a matter of seconds. This means that the internet has weakened the apparent geographical and technological factors that tend to limit human communication. However, the entire epoch of Nigerian society is regrettable painful to all level of communication efficiency in this modern information age because, the country still limp behind in terms of internet in the world. While, in some countries like America, Germany and Britain, internet evolved and simultaneously entered into their everyday lives with a dizzying speed and a flurry of few development high speed access. And the new ways of getting services, graphic, rich interface, the internet has become a part of their everyday activities. Thus, the stage in their societies has gone beyond the crude oral communication, the ancient telephone and outing postal communication, the obstacle printing press. The net technology such as the e mail, world wide web, the interface, mobile system, and computer improved services have become part and parcel of their daily lives, either in the  pursuit of their business, inclination and fastening of symphony of social relationship and brotherhood with  other. Currently, the Africa internet market environment seems to be the fastest internet environment in the world. However, the infrastructure which permits rapid long term expansion of the internet is still lacking in Africa. And Nigeria just like the least of other African nations still have the traditional causes of underdevelopment such as lack of computers, overcharging by the internet service providers at work. Also, cost of equipment, software and connecting fees is just too high in Nigeria. Paul McAuluy (2001, p:12), submits that  “the technical apartheid “continues” as feared.

         Although, Nigeria is currently rated one of the highest internet users in Africa, there is still much to be done in terms of internet coverage or services in Nigeria, which is mostly found among the educated urban dwellers, the rural areas and some urban cities are yet to have access to the internet.

 When used the words of Lee (2006, p:4 ), which submits that “the power of web is in its universality access by everyone irrespective of their location, background and disability is an essential aspect”. Judging Nigeria situation, as regards its communication efficiency, it position in the third millennium, it deems it possible to say that the social, political and cultural factors in the country do not permit improvement in communication through the internet. The hackneyed and abysmal mediocrity and stark illiteracy that have continued to thrive in this nation, has given no opportunity for creativity, skill and experience, research and other things capable of engendering positivism in the information environment of this country.              

1.2       STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

Despite the level of internet awareness in Nigeria, the country still limps on the slow lane in terms of usage of the internet. This has been a major problem in the Nigerian society. According to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the growth of the internet as enormous with the number of users reaching 103 million in May, 2018. This was an impressive growth from 28 million internet users recorded in 2012. This figure of the internet subscribers’ data highlights the importance and the value of internet in the society. This shows that about 55% of the total total population are connected to internet, while many more in the rural areas are not. This is because, communication technology according to Busbay (1998, p: 9) “must be accessible to the common persons in the society before, it could be regarded as a mass medium”. Also Lee, (2006, p: 4) submits that, “the power of web is in its universality, accessibility to everyone regardless of their locations, background and disability is an essential aspect”.  Going by these, one can say that Nigeria is still backward in terms of internet accessibility especially in the rural areas. However, this statement is invalid until it is proven beyond any reasonable doubt. It is therefore, the main objective of this study, to evaluate the impacts of the internet on the Nigerian society, and as well find out some of the hindrances to the accessibility and usage of the internet as means of communication in Nigeria, and proffer a possible solution on how to improve the services of ISPs in Nigeria, so as to enhance internet usage in Nigeria.

1.3  OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

 The main objectives of the study is to evaluate the impact of the internet in on Nigeria society. In the light of this overall objective, the study will;

1.   Find out whether the internet has in helped in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria society, in the least previous years.

2.   Measure the rate of internet usage in Nigeria society

3.   Find out some of the hindrances of internet services in Nigeria society

4.   Suggest, possible ways of improving internet services in Nigeria.

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTION

In other to examine, evaluate, and analyze the impact of the internet in Nigeria society, the following questions will serve as a guide

1.    Has the internet helped in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria society?

2.   How will you rate the usage of internet in Nigeria society?

3.   What are the hindrances to the internet services in Nigeria society?

4.   How can internet services in Nigeria society can be improved?

1.5     RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hi:    The internet has helped in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria.

Ho:   The internet has not helped in elevating communication efficiency in Nigeria.

H2:   The internet usage in Nigeria is okay.

Ho:   The internet usage in Nigeria is not okay.

H3:   There are hindrances to the internet services in Nigeria.

Ho:   There are no hindrances to the internet services in Nigeria.      

H4:   Internet services in Nigeria can be improved

Ho:   Internet services in Nigeria cannot be improved.

1.6.     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        The significance of this study is no doubt very enormous that it is better described as a revolutionary study into an entire new age of information technology and dissemination which has also been known as communication revolution millennium. The study therefore promises to be of great benefits to the following.

1.     To the students and future researches, it will serve as harvest of knowledge and discovery of hidden, silent ideas about internet communication culture in Nigeria. It is axiomatic to posit that this study will ensure the researchers of not only knowledge, but the aspiration, zeal and to explore more horizons in this virgin topic.

2.      To the society, organizations and her agencies, it will not only help them to see the need to imbibe the internet culture into their environment, but will equally enable them give support, incentives and motivations towards a sustainability of this eventual ideas and communication agenda.

3.     The beginners in communication industry will see the internet as effective, efficient communication tool. And   help them make the necessary use of the internet in every area of their lives.   Finally, this study will help to find the solution to Nigerian’s sick movement in the technological race.

1.7     THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is very wide, if it has to be carried out nationwide, but for the purpose of this study, the study will only cover the impact of internet on Nigeria society  using Owerri metropolis as a case study.

1.8    DEFINITION OF TERMS

        In the process of conducting and finding presentation of this study, there are some technical words that needed to be defined for better understanding.

CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION

EVALUATION:    To judge how good, useful, or successful something is.

ROLE:  Function that a period or what a thing typically have or is expected to have.

COMMUNICATION: The process by which people exchange information or express their thought and feeling.

INTERNET: A computer system that allows millions of users around the world to exchange information.