Analysing Socio-Demographic Differences in Access and Use of ICTs in Nigeria Using the Capability Approach

Abstract

This paper presents disaggregated survey data on ICT ownership, access to public ICT facilities, capabilities and actual use of ICTs in two locations in a Nigerian municipality. The study analysed socio-demographic differences in access and use of ICTs using Sen’s capability approach. Survey research approach was adopted. The locations were a rural and an urban community. The population of the study comprised 500 respondents selected from the two locations. The two locations were intentionally selected with a view to ensuring rural versus urban data comparisons. A structured questionnaire was the data collection instrument adopted. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the significant factors affecting people’s access and use of ICTs. The result was cross tabulated against the socio-demographic characteristics of the people in the two locations. Findings revealed that there was a gender digital divide among the respondents in the two locations as well as rural-urban divide. It was also found that both male and female respondents in the two locations had access to all the ICT facilities surveyed, some in their homes and others in public places such as church, cyber cafe, working places, friend’s place, etc. However, most of the respondents in the rural community were reported to be able to use landline telephones more than cell phones. In the two locations, the respondents were capable of using radio and television very well. Female respondents in both locations were able to use landline telephones more than their male counterparts but the males were capable of using other facilities more than the female respondents. This was chiefly due to the fact that the male respondents in the two locations were more educated than the females. The young set of respondents was also capable of using ICTs more than the older people. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government need to evolve policies aimed at bridging the digital divide particularly increasing ICT penetration in both rural and urban areas.