Abstract
The primary objective of this study is to examine how the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Manpower Development in Nigeria. A case study of Enugu North L.G.A. In carrying out this study, the researchers were able to make use of survey research method for data collection. Also, questionnaire was used to collect data from a target population of 300 respondents, comprising of computer operators, academics, labour employers, operators of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the general public in Enugu State in particular and Nigeria in general. The researchers asked four research questions were also raised. The relevant literatures were reviewed for the study. Also, data generated was interpreted and analyzed. The results obtained showed that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays an important role in manpower development in Nigeria in general and Enugu State in particular. It was also found that manpower development contributes to the socio-political, economic and other related wellbeing of people living in Enugu State. At the end of the study, the researchers made a number of recommendations for further studies and for policy formulation on how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays an important role in manpower development in Enugu North L.G.A.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The relationship between manpower development and the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. It is absolutely an indisputable one. The existence of man on earth is to expand in all aspects of human endeavor both in the management of existing resources as well as creation of new ones. Man by nature is adventurous and as such, will always thrive to succeed.
Among many ways he (man) has thrived to develop his surrounding and improve his environment and other forms of existence is through manpower development. As days turn into weeks, weeks to months, months to years, etc., man’s means of survival and development moves from one idea to the other. For instance, man in the earliest form of his existence did most of his personal and group works in a crude manner. But as he advanced, he abandoned the idea of doing most of his works alone and introduced machines. These compliment man’s effort to succeed.
In line with this idea, man produced such earliest forms of calculating machines known as “Abacus”, and then adding machines like calculators, computers and a host of others emerged with the sole aim of helping man to develop himself and that of his environment. This is to enable him achieve industrial growth and other forms of manpower development.
The need for manpower development in any society like ours is to encourage the development of the state (society in general) in such areas like agriculture, community service, socio-economic services etc. As Elom and Chukwuanukwu (2006: 24) would state,
The importance of human resource development (capacity building) in any country cannot be overstressed. Little wonder the proliferation of tertiary institutions of learning in Nigeria today that provide opportunity and facility for the training of the Nigerian workforce… manpower development and training helps to improve a nation’s economic and political status.
These objectives have never been realized in Nigeria without some shortcomings. In line with this, the need to study the relationship between manpower development and the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria becomes very necessary, for a country like Nigeria, in order to succeed in her bid for the achievement of manpower development. As Ndolo (2006:1) would state on the relevance of Communication in human existence, he opined that “… every growth, survival and continuity depends on among other things, a system of communication, through which people could exchange ideas and feelings. The system of communication formed the mainstay of all the other systems, which came to depend on it for effectiveness”.
This is why the researchers will not isolate the relationship between ICT and communication in general in the development of manpower in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu North Local Government Area.
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