The relevance of libraries and information communicaton technology in education and national development: the Nigerian perspective

Abstract

More than one billion people, the world over, entered the 21st century unable to read a book and write their names. Unfortunately, most of these illiterate people are found in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria having the greatest number (UNO Report 2003). The illiteracy level of Nigeria today has no doubt resulted to ethnic, religious, political cum economic crisis, which are the most intractable problems ravaging the country today. The level of illiteracy in Nigeria has also led to a breakdown of law and order, loss of lives, properties and collapse of government authority in some states of the federation particularly in the north-east of the country where we now have the Boko Haram insurgency. This study is aimed at determining how Libraries and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) could be used to improve national development thus curbing these ills found in the Nigerian society. The study also examines the challenges of libraries and ICT in Nigeria. The researcher concludes that the Nigerian government should support and encourage coherent policy framework in education to achieve sustainable national development. The study recommended that government should establish libraries and ICT centers in local government councils and villages and give free access to education at all levels to entrench peace in the country. These will foster sustainable national development.

Keywords: Libraries, ICT, Education, National Development