THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON FOREIGN POLICY MAKING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study is on the impact of information communication technology on foreign policy making in Nigeria. The total population for the study is 200 staff of CBN, Abuja. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made human resource managers, accountants, ICT analysts and senior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The recent advances in information communication technology (ICT) especially on the aspect of foreign policy making are becoming central to other processes, such as socio-economic and political development of nation states and how nations relate to each other. ICT offers new ways of exchanging information and transacting business and new style of interaction between countries, change the nature of financial and other service sectors and provides efficient use of human and institutional capabilities of countries in both the public and private sector especially on the field of foreign policy information communication technology (ICT) and vast improvement in aviation technology and other things, have reduced the distance between states, which enhances the opportunity for foreign policy maker to communicate directly. Infact, ICT has changed the way nation states relate to each other. Prior to the second world war II, diplomacy was the sole responsibility of the ambassadors they are often the representatives of their respective state, but today, head of state can now directly communicate through, telephone, fax, internet, in order to discuss and iron out differences or negotiate differences which ambassadors cannot command.  As it is well known, diplomacy is looked upon as the use of political influence to induce other states to exercise their law making powers in the manner defined by the state command and the task of diplomacy include among, other things, routine representation, arbitration, negotiation and projection of common and political interest of the country. This task is today highly facilitated by the existence and application of ICT. Today ICT has penetrated almost all desirable domestic instruments of foreign policy making of the country, in otherword’s for effective application of either economic, diplomacy, military or cultural instrument or both, the use of ICTS is imperative, in addition to all other aspects of human development especially as it relates to foreign policy making.  The world today is rapidly moving towards knowledge based on economic structures and information societies, which comprise network of individuals, policy makers, firms and countries that are linked electronically and inter-dependent relationships. Today the competitive and comparative advantages of countries are gradually being determined by access of ICT and knowledge for the pursuit of national interest.  Information Communication Technology (ICT) has aided foreign policy makers such as diplomats, chief executives of ministry of foreign affairs in various capacity of foreign policy making. It also aids them to understand and explain decision-making process and relationship with the bureaucracy, their power centers on pressure group in the formulation and execution of foreign policy of the country.  The numerous advantages for the adaptation of ICT in foreign policy decision and in other segment of human development are endless. This by implication means that, foreign policy makers and other segment of the economy in developing nations cannot but be aware of the trends in ICT as employed by other countries of the world.  Therefore, Nigeria foreign policy would be looked upon from its principled objective of promoting and protecting the country’s national interest and its interaction with the outside world and its relationship with other countries in the international system among other objectives. Therefore, ICT serve as a critical and crucial element to the Nigeria foreign policy decision makers.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Information is said to be central in foreign policy making and analysis. Most countries today both developed and developing have expectedly paid significant attention to the development of ICT more especially in the conduct and salesmanship of their respective national interest. The issue at stake, does ICT make any positive impact on foreign policy making? That is whether the importance of ICT is recognized and applied in Nigeria foreign policy making. The research seeks to determine the aims, objectives, achievements and constraints of ICT in Nigeria quest to join in the race for technological development to pursue a dynamic foreign policy in line with trends of globalization, market liberation, and foreign relations.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective is to investigate the role of information communication technology in information dissemination on Nigeria foreign policy. Other objectives include:

1. To examine the relationship between information communication technology and foreign policy making in Nigeria.
2. To inquire the level of impact of ICT on Nigeria foreign policy.
3. To identify constraints that militates against the application of ICT in foreign policy making in Nigeria.
4. To recommend measure for reducing or eliminating these constraints

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H₀:   there is no relationship between information communication technology and foreign policy making in Nigeria.

H₁: there is e relationship between information communication technology and foreign policy making in Nigeria.

H₀²: there are no constraints that militate against the application of ICT in foreign policy making in Nigeria.

H₂: there are constraints that militate against the application of ICT in foreign policy making in Nigeria.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work is aimed at aiding Nigerian as a nation state to forge ahead in her quest for socio-economic development, reduce poverty, un-employment and raise the country’s stature from an economic dependent country to an economic independent nation, through the used of ICT.  It also aimed to improve on Nigeria’s conduct of foreign policy decisions and to improve Nigerians status and relevance in international politics, by show casing Nigeria economic potentials, culture, tradition etc. it would also serve as a springboard to foreign policy makers in their quest to pursue a dynamic foreign policy in line with the present area of globalization, through the acquisition of relevant modern ICT facilities, and to add value or contribution to existing knowledge in the dynamic of foreign policy making, in the present information technology age. To reap from the expected gains of ICT especially in the aspect of the economic which is identify as a powerful instrument in the pursue of national interest of states, through embracing all relevant ICT facilities and purse and adopting all necessary policies.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the impact of information communication technology on foreign policy making in Nigeria. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impact: For the purpose of this work the study adapted menou’s definition of impact which is referred to as a process that causes transformation of a phenomenon both positive and negative aspect of it.

Information: Can be define as the knowledge that was unknown to the receiver prior to its receipt, while in a related development Michael (1989) viewed the term as the support information system (computerized and manual) within an organization and those releasing out to customer and suppliers.

Newton defined ICT to include all the totality of a communication system which involves all the equipment which must be connected together in order to send receive information such as computer, fax, television, radio, in focus projector, digital camera, telephone.

Foreign policy: Is define as system of activities enforced by community for changing the behaviour of other states and for adjusting their norm to the international environment while Thomas Schelling define it as complicated and disorderly different to predict, full of surprises, demanding parts choice that must be base on judgment rather than analysis taking place in a world that changes rapidly which memory and experiences are likely out of data, foreign policy project the image of a country.