ACMJ Article

Abstract

The prevalence of disparity in acquisition and application of information and communication technology, which is a manifestation of social inequality at various levels of global strata, has enormously hindered the even development of the society. This phenomenon often leads to a level of gulf, especially between developed/industrialised and developing nations and even within poor countries' urban and rural areas, portend inhibiting factors detrimental to the sustainable growth of these nations. Such discrepancies are occasioned by differences in income, race, age, gender, among other numerous factors. This study aimed at the exploration of the key factors infringing the bridging of the gap through digitalisation and enhanced sustainable development. The study applied qualitative methods in which empirical secondary data were used and was anchored on Technological Determinism, Diffusion of Innovations theories, and the Information Gap model. It revealed that inadequate accessibility, wrong government policies, among others, were responsible, even as the gap continues to increase the level of underdevelopment in the affected nations like Nigeria. It, therefore, recommended, among others, that government should change its poor disposition towards

technology utilisation to create a conducive atmosphere through proactive policies for massive accessibility to modern information and communication technology, especially among youth for capacity building.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: IS NIGERIA GEARED TO ELIMINATING THE TECHNOLOGICAL GULF?, 2024, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-12. PDF