Nigeria’s use of the interne

Nigeria's Internet Use

Nigeria's use of the internet is quickly increasing. The number had grown by 33.5 million since 2013 when the figure stood at 51.8 million users. In 2014, there were 57.7 million internet users in the West Africa nation, and the number increased to 63.2 million users in 2015. The figures in 2016 and 2017 were 69.1 million and 76.2 million respectively. Currently, there are 84.3 million internet users in Nigeria. The figure is projected to reach 93 million users in 2019 (Statista). Over the coming years, internet connectivity is bound to widen due to its continued importance. For example, people use social media to transact businesses such as advertisements among other activities.

Computer Literacy

According to the international rankings, Nigeria stands at 59.3 percent regarding the literacy index.

(Charlhxe)

As portrayed by the findings, illiteracy in a general perspective, i.e. involving education, which is not specifically tied to computers is universal across the region.

Most of the learning institutions in Nigeria mandate students to have a reasonable computer literacy level. Currently, most of these institutions provide some introductory computer courses to help the learners gain enough computer skills. For years, the learning institutions have adopted various mechanisms to improve computer literacy including introducing computer courses, especially in the undergraduate programs (Olufunmilayo Fati 5). Research conducted by Olufunmilayo and Adetimirin illustrated that the computer literacy levels have increased over the years, particularly across the learning institutions. Majority of the students who participated in the study could handle numerous computer skills; further, illustrating the fact that computer literacy was increasing. Back in 2010, the computer literacy levels were approximated at 54.2 percent, which increased slightly by 5 percent over the next three years (Osuji 155). The number of Nigerians who can utilize the computer under various functions has significantly risen and is expected to continue increasing due to the vitality associated with the computers.

Infrastructure

According to a report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Nigeria still performs poorly when it comes to the quality of infrastructure, which is measured across several tenets, i.e. roads, health infrastructure, access to clean water, electricity production, and public education. The gap between the quantity and quality is wide; thus, impacting negatively on the country's GDP.

(Gandhi)

Nigeria is ranked top in Sub-Saharan Africa regarding the road network with approximately 200,000 kilometres connecting villages and the urban centres. The above diagram illustrates that the infrastructure efficiency gap stands at 39 percent; a figure that is quite low. Majority of the regions that form the country face infrastructural challenges; hence, increasing poverty.

Industrialization

According to the 2018 forecasts released by World Bank, Nigeria's GDP is anticipated to develop by roughly 2.8% in the year 2019 and 2020. In 2018, the country is expected to accelerate its growth to around 2.5%. The anticipated rise is founded on the fact that oil production in Nigeria is bound to recover and the instituted reforms will enable growth of the non-oil sector. The country will also benefit from the enhanced trade, investments, and commodity prices.

Between 2007 and 2017, industrial production in Nigeria averaged 0.96%. The highest rate was experienced in 2011 at 20.1% and least in 2016 at -20.4%. The country's economy has been stabilizing over the years, especially due to the oil reservoirs. The interest rates stand at 14 percent (Trade Economics).

Power

Accessibility to Electricity between 1990 and 2016 (World Bank)

The percentage of Nigerians accessing electricity has increased significantly over the years. As dep and depicted by the statistics above, the rates have substantially increased over the decade, and it stood at 27.3% in 1990. The most significant rise was experienced in 2003 as the rates increased to 52.2 percent. A small drop was experienced in 2010, as the Nigerians who could access power stood at 48%. Nonetheless, 2016 portrayed the most significant rise at 59.3%. Access to electricity is bound to increase in the coming years, especially after the World Bank approved the project to enhance electricity transmission Network and infrastructure. The $486 million project is meant to scale up power accessibility to rural areas as well as urban centres that lack the same (The World Bank).

Legal Segment Overview

Tax Law

According to the 2017 budget, tax from the non-oil companies are expected to contribute 28%, i.e. N1.373 trillion of the national budget aggregated at N4.94 trillion. The government strived to widen the tax net to improve the efficiency of the revenues collected. The Nigerian government has been striving to increase the revenues collected to serve the various projects. The aggressive tax collection mandates corporations to be honest or else face closure.

In 2017, the government also ratified the Double Tax Treaties involving Sweden, South Korea, and Spain. Furthermore, the government set aside N20billion to revive the Export Expansion Grant via tax credits. The oil and Gas sector also experienced a new funding mechanism. The relevant tax laws were reviewed in 2017 to eradicate obsolete tax ambiguities and provisions. The Nigerian government is anticipated to introduce novel measures and reviews to improve the tax atmosphere in the country while making it competitive. The World Bank Group (WBG) places Nigeria at number 182 out of 190 in the Paying Taxes sub-index. Nigeria has a 28.09 percent frontier score meaning that it performs poorly in this aspect. Based on these benchmarks, Nigeria ought to reform its tax systems to enhance the position (Obayomi).

Corporate regulations

State and Federal laws driving Nigerian corporate regulations impact on four sections of the cycle of small to medium-size domestic firm: registering property, establishing a business corporation, enforcing contracts and controlling construction permits. Whereas several reform efforts put much focus on reduction of existing complexities and related costs regarding regulatory processes like making improvements and advancements in internal processes of federal and state agencies, the Nigerian focuses further on longer-term judicial reforms for purposes of strengthening existing legal institutions for reasons of contract enforcement. Swifter approvals of the construction permit and less burdensome requirements like Jigawa and Adamawa will render Nigeria a top performer in the region. Basically, establishing better coordination and sharing of good local practices is a major corporate regulation established between federal and state governments and considered critical for improving the working environment among all Nigerians.

Labour Rights

The job market in Nigeria is polarized as a minute percent of the total population benefits from high and diversified growth whereas the compact majority lies in traditional subsistence activities and low-productivity. With income opportunities comes to a greater control over household resources. Women are therefore more likely to invest more than men for purposes of investing health and education. Such canes are considered essential for Nigeria to move towards an inclusive and diversified economic growth. This regulation advocates for creating an inclusive job market that directly offers a profitable employment opportunity for youth and women through improving skills, boosting the business climate as well as raising the agricultural productivity. The regulation equally necessitates Nigeria to improve skills levels whereas establishing better policy programs for all to generate equal access to market and technical vocational training relevance.

Works Cited

Charlhxe. "Illiteracy In Nigeria: Meaning, Causes, Economic Effects, Consequences And Solution." 20 March 2018. 3 April 2018. .

Gandhi, Dhruv. "Figure of the week: Gaps in Nigeria’s public infrastructure." 14 March 2018. 3 April 2018. .

Obayomi, Wole. "Nigerian Tax Journal." (2017): 1-36. .

Olufunmilayo Fati, and Airen Adetimirin. "Influence of Computer Literacy Skills on OPAC Use by Undergraduates in two Universities in Nigeria." International Journal of Academic Library and Information science 5.1 (2017): 1-11. .

Osuji, U, S. "An Assessment Of The Computer Literacy Level of Open And Distance Learning Students in Lagos State< Nigeria." (2010): 158. .

Statista. Number of Internet Users in Nigeria from 2013 to 2019 (in Millions). 2018. .

The World Bank. Nigeria: World Bank Approves $486 Million to Improve Nigeria Electricity Transmission Network and Infrastructure. 15 February 2018. 3 May 2018. .

Trade Economics. World Bank: Nigeria to grow by 2.5% in 2018. 9 January 2018. 3 May 2018. .

World Bank. Access to electricity (% of population). 2018. 3 May 2018. .