AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE OF ICT IN ENSURING GOOD
GOVERNANCE AND ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY
OYELAYO BABAJIDE
DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS,
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,
AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE USE OF ICT TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE
AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER, ABUJA
19, NOVEMBER, 2015
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
 INTRODUCTION
 HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTION BY FMST
 TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS
 WAY FORWARD
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INTRODUCTION
It is pertinent to note that no nation can successfully develop without
appropriate deployment of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
apparatus.
In today’s world, STI remains an important bridge that connects all sectors
of the economy. It is thus a reliable path for any country to make progress in
terms of governance, infrastructural development, Human capital
development and employment generation, among others.
There is a growing support at bringing out the critical roles of technology
especially ICT for the improvement of the socio-economic and political state
of Nigeria through fostering a robust National System of Innovation as
highlighted in the National STI Policy.
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INTRODUCTION………………CONT’D
As a simplifier of tasks, nations and peoples desire
application of technology in all sectors of the economy. There
is a growing support at bringing out the critical roles of ICT
for the improvement of the socio-economic and political state
of Nigeria through fostering a robust National System of
Innovation as highlighted in the National STI Policy.
One of the key mandates of the FMST is to create
technology infrastructure and knowledge base to facilitate its
wide application for development. A key strategic area of
focus by the revised STI Policy is Research and
Development into Information and Communication
Technology (ICT).
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INTRODUCTION………………CONT’D
This covers various sectors and sub sectors of the economy
including entrenchment of good governance with robust
electoral process/system as a key element premised on the
implementation of the National Policy on Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI).
In line with one of the STI Policy
Strategies which is to popularize and
inculcate STI culture in Nigeria, it
became imperative for the Ministry to
play a leadership role towards
sensitizing and equipping Nigerians
especially the youths with skills and
technological tools used by advanced
democracies in electoral processes to
ensure
peace
for
general
development.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTION BY FMST
The FMST in keeping with its leading role for guiding
the deployment of technology in the country, with the
support of Democratic Governance for Development
(DGD) II Project of the United Nations Development
Agency (UNDP), undertook the following designed to
foster good governance with robust electoral
process/system in Nigeria:
Two – day conference on technology and the electoral process for
Ministry’s staff and other staff from the Ministry’s seventeen (17)
Parastatals during which the staff of the Ministry were exposed to
global best practices in electioneering processes;
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D
Pix 5: Cross Section of Participants at the Event
Pic. 1: Dignitaries at the Event
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D
• Two-day training for 200 youths in Abuja, on the use of
technology in enhancing electoral process, including
guided tours of the Ministry and selected parastatals;
Pix 1: Dignitaries at the Event
at the Event
Pix 6: Cross Section of Participants
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D
• One day Lessons learnt conference for the youth who
participated in the ‘Rock the vote Nigeria 2015’online
campaign contest to document good practices and
challenges held on 7th May, 2015;
•
.
•
•
•
Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, r
epresented by the Permanent Secretary,
Participants with the representative of
the Honourable Minister of Science and
Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, FCA, delivering the keynote Address
Participants at a break out session
Technology
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D
 One day Lessons learnt conference (Awards Presentation)
Group Photograph of Award Winners with the representative of
the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology,
Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, FCA
One of the Award Winners
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D
• One day in house workshop for officials of FMST, its
Agencies and relevant stakeholders to review the draft
Policy Framework on the use of ICT in Governance and
electoral process held on 4th June, 2015
•
Mr. Oyelayo Babajide, Director, Planning Research
and Policy Analysis, delivering the Welcome Address
Participants at the Inhouse Workshop
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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D..
• One day stakeholders validation workshop of FMST, its Agencies and
relevant stakeholders on the draft Policy on ICT for good Governance
and Elections in Nigeria held on 12th August, 2015
Mrs Moni Udoh represented the Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication
Technology.
Cross Section of Participants during the Group
Discussion.
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TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS
 Election is a decision making process through which
people choose their political representatives.
 Election remains the only legitimate instrument for
entrenchment of good governance and leadership turnover
for representative democracy.
 It is a core aspect that requires the active involvement of
citizens.
 However, beyond elections, the flowering of democratic
practice depends largely on the active participation of the
people through different forms of political activities such as
in the electoral process.
 the use of ICT / Social Media platforms entreches
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participation at all levels..
TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D
 The ICT /Social Media platforms include: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,
Instagram, skype, linkedin, among others which when deployed are
effective in deepening the democratic process.
 These are Social instruments of communication and viable platforms
for social networking and content/information sharing.
 The power of these platforms as viable mechanisms for political
mobilization, advocacy, activism and electoral activities cannot be over
estimated
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TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D
 Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Elections Global Practices:
• Voter/Civic Education.
• Marketing Candidates.
• Monitoring of the Electoral Processes.
• Building Consensus on issues.
• Reporting.
• Respect for the right and feelings of other users, and rules
governing usage.
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TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D
 Technology in its neutral state can be used for the
following:
 Creation of credible voter register.
 Elimination of multiple registration, voting.
 Mitigation of election fraud such as ballot snatching and stuffing,
intimidation, over voting, etc.
 Infusion of peoples’ confidence in the electoral process and the
final outcome of elections.
 Reduction in the time of voting, collation, transmission and
tallying of ballot and announcement of results of elections.
 Regulate political parties and candidates
 Voter education
 Corporate management
 Marketing candidates during elections
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TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D
 However, it is important to note that Technology has
no will of its own.
 It only obeys the will of the users.
 Therefore, there is need to have discipline and honest
people involved in the management and usage of
technology in elections
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ICT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has
been regarded as the source for the social and economic
empowerment of any country especially a developing
country like Nigeria
• It has remained the catalyst of growth for developed
countries. Virtually all government services could be
initiated and delivered through ICT and since these ICT
tools are efficient and reliable, they are today functioning
as promoters of good governance in most countries.
• To realize her vision of becoming one of the top 20 global
economies in the year 2020, good governance through ICT
holds the ace for Nigeria’s Vision 2020 program.
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GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
•
Participation: Participation by both men and women (young and old) is a key
cornerstone of good governance.
•
Rule of law: Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced
impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights particularly those of
minorities.
•
Transparency: Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement
are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations.
•
Responsiveness: Good governance requires that institutions and processes try
to respond to issues real-time and spontaneously.
•
Consensus oriented: There are several actors and as many view points in a
given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in
society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the
whole community and how this can be achieved to serve all stakeholders within a
reasonable timeframe.
•
Equity and inclusiveness: A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its
members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the main
stream of society.
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GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS .......................CONT’D
• Effectiveness and efficiency: Good governance means
that processes and institutions produce results that meet
the needs of society while making the best use of
resources at their disposal.
• Accountability: Accountability is a key requirement of
good governance. Not only governmental institutions but
also the private sector and civil society organizations must
be accountable to the public and to their institutional
stakeholders.
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WAY FORWARD ...................CONT’D
 FMST in collaboration with other relevant Ministries,
Departments & Agencies (MDAs) should ensure the full
implementation of the Policy on ICT for Good
Governance and Elections in Nigeria with the objectives
to:
 Build capacities and capabilities of relevant institutions and
personnel to generate knowledge to adapt, utilise, replicate and
diffuse technologies in all areas of ICTs through Research and
Development on governance issues;
 Ensure that the necessary infrastructure and equipment for
deployment of equitable services for good governance are in place
in all relevant institutions
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WAY FORWARD ...................CONT’D
 Carry out the automation of all governments’ activities and
services across Ministries, Departments and Agencies;
 Support, harness, promote, and encourage the
commercialization and diffusion of locally developed
technologies for the conduct of elections and government
activities.
 Popularize the inculcation of the culture of citizens utilizing
ICTs in all engagements with Government for transparency
and accountability.
 Establish an up-to-date, reliable and accessible databank of
all citizens, governance services and institutions in Nigeria
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CONCLUSION ...................CONT’D
• Nigeria as the largest black nation in the world and largest
economy in sub-sahara Africa is expected to play leading
role in ensuring peaceful election and good governance
• The Ministry’s intervention in the use of ICT to promote
peace among youth before, during and after the 2015
elections was timely and helped to spread peace messages
and reduce hate messages and violence among youth.
• The change mantra cannot succeed without Science,
Technology and Innovation (STI) for us to have a
sustainable/meaningful change that will impact positively on
the populace.
• STI is the bedrock on which industrialization can thrive.
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CONCLUSION
• It is imperative for all stakeholders to key into the policy
thrust of Government which hinged on Infrastructural and
Social Development, Governance, Environment,
States/Regional Development which are the pillars of
national development.
• Diversification of the economy to ensure wealth and job
creation for peace and stability will always elude us if we do
not make STI a national development priority.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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