KNOWLEDGE Technology is here! Beyond ICT? How did we
get there? From Babbage to before Bill Gates, to DP to
IS to DPMS to MIS to IT and is there anything beyond
ICT? In order words, what next, after ICT.?
This, question becomes very important to IT
stakeholders, informed by currently emerging studies
and new technology development directions. Indeed,
this may not be viewed as a question as such, but
translated as possible future outlook and confirmation
that ICT is after all, only a temporary technology bus
stop - within the corridor and developmental process
of human knowledge resources, technology history and
learning curves.
Available research and ICT white papers suggest that
the world is already moving-on to adopt the concept
and operational dynamics of 'IKT' (Information
Knowledge Technology) or "KT" (e-Knowledge Technology)
as a new platform, model and strategic imperatives for
globalised knowledge-everywher e for human development.
In this regard, we might as well now begin to rethink
on how beneficial, durable and sustainable is the need
for formulating an ICT policy framework for Nigeria at
the tail end or end-of-life momentum of existing
'global communication' fundamentals?
The emergence of Quantum computing, Megatronics and
Nanotechnology are critical signpost to future
revelations for the knowledge society. All these have
now led to the emergence of "National Knowledge
Commission" as strategic response framework. Suffice
to state that the world is rapidly moving from
"Digital Divide" to the more complex and fearsome
"Knowledge Divide"!
Today, many of us tend to perceive IT and ICT as the
"constant" and adopted as the ultimate end of the
digital revolution/evolutio n - this may sooner than
later reveal itself as a professional fallacy!
Suddenly, every body has become an IT guru and ICT
messiah! At home, the core of all these activities
lead to 'user-perception' rather than
'creator/innovator' vision. Meanwhile, we are reminded
that the only thing that is constant is change. As the
world transits into the information knowledge age, new
conditions are being created for future economic
(industrial) and national development success. Can
existing structures - within the context of current
enabling environment and institutional framework of
government - sustain our 21st century rapid
development competitiveness? How do we achieve the
2020 mission without creative skills? Can our current
national reforms succeed without accelerated IT
deployment?
This is perhaps the ultimate question, whose strategic
response will determine how nations will be positioned
in the meandering 'knowledge divide' equation.
In particular, how will/can Nigeria position herself
at the end of the tunnel of this digital (knowledge)
evolution? Will the scenario of the industrial
(divide) revolution repeat itself? Will it lead to
digital slavery - nay, knowledge slavery?
Responding effectively to those conditions, demands
and challenges, definitely require - a high level of
conscious strategy for knowledge re-structuring and
re-engineering the processes and machinery of
government. This will require abundant political will
and private sector commitment towards education and
youth empowerment.
For President Yar'Adua's government to function
effectively - there is need to completely re-define,
overhaul the national knowledge-base and information
system as well as constructively apply e-government
tools to reactivate the operational defects of major
ministerial deliverables, functions and human resource
base, remain a fundamental assignment and Herculean
task. Indeed, because e-commerce and e-government are
inter-linked to e-citizens deliverables, it would
amount to a great economic misnomer that while the
organised private sector is busy restructuring and
re-engineering its operations - through the infusion
of information and communications technologies (ICTs)
- the operating structures of government remains
unchanged!
In one of my earlier write-ups, I have argued that
Nigeria must now rapidly move from the laboratory and
ICT workshop excitements to constructive and practical
knowledge-base "prove of concept implementation"
process. We must fashion out a proactive actionable
plan and quality approach, capable of cleaning-up our
self-made accumulated socio-economic and political (?)
mess at both micro and macro levels of our (under-)
development! Major implications for governance. First
existing ministerial structures and functions must be
re-defined and re-structured. They must change to be
competitive!
To pretend otherwise will amount to wishful thinking
and national deceit. Furthermore, market forces alone
are incapable in inducing the required change, due to
the enormity of complexities and the rapidity of
change in the Information Age Evolution chain and
Revolution process. It is generally accepted that
knowledge has evolved at a speed that academic centres
are not prepared for it, university diplomas no longer
give a guarantee for the future, communications media
are taking the role of knowledge sharing, production
of knowledge is global and that globalisation,
however, separates the world.
Therefore, can future government and commerce entities
cope and survive the new age without for example, a
'Ministry of Infrastructure' within the context of
LII, NII and GII? What purpose will the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry serve without the sophistication
and competence to manage digital technology trade and
commerce? How will education be improved and
positioned without the intensive application,
diffusion and use of informatics and communications
technologies? How will government respond to the high
velocity of trade and commerce - with respect to
balance of trade issues - in the information age?
Indeed, who should be in government and govern in the
information age? What skill would/should such people
require to perform? A 'change dynamics' response to
these emerging needs and challenges will definitely
'revamp' the structures, functions, operations and
strategies of government in the very near future. Some
of the recommended models will include, but not
limited to:
Ministry of Infrastructure - Incorporating: Department
for Environmental Architecture Planning, Design and
Development, Department for Residential and Industrial
Planning and Design, Department for Road Network and
Highway Design, Department for Energy Infrastructure
and Utility Design, Department for Water Resources and
Drainage Planning and Design, Department for Erosion
Controls Design, Centre for national infrastructure
Research, Design and Development.
Ministry of Information Technology - incorporating:
Knowledge Electronic Governance Division, National
Informatics Centre, National Centre for Software
Technology, Centre for Development of Advanced
Computing, Centre for Materials for Electronics
Technology, Centre for Electronics Design and
Technology, Electronics and Computer Software Export
Promotion Council, Centre for Quantum Computing and
Nanotechnology Research, Working Group on Citizen
Information Technology Needs,
Ministry of Information, Communication and
Broadcasting - Incorporating: Department of
Information Engineering, Department of
Telecommunications, Telecommunication Engineering
Centre, Centre for Development of Telemetics, National
Telecom Regulatory Authority, Department of Test
Messaging and Posts, Directorate of Film Festivals,
Directorate of Entertainment Publicity, Press
Information Bureau, Films Division, Books and
Publications Division, Research, Reference and
Training Division, Art, Song and Drama Division,
Newspapers Registrar of the Federation, Broadcasting
Corporation of Nigeria, All Nigeria Radio Channels,
and Press Council of Nigeria.
Ministry of Human Resource Development -
Incorporating: Department of Education and related
Councils for various knowledge incubation, enhancement
and development - with particular reverence to
science, technology, philosophy, sociology, economics,
research, design and development (RD&D), Council for
Women, Youth and Child Development.
If human capital is recognised as the core critical
mass and topmost priority for nation building and
development, then it is mandatory to redefine our
education institution and repackage it with a
formidable Ministry of Human Resources - not just to
build certificate graduates, but creative and quality
minds in search of and attainment of excellence
