COVID-19 Pandemic and its Attendant “New Normal” in Nigeria: A Case Study of ICT Training in Akwapoly – Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the usefulness of e-learning technologies arising from COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant “new normal” in Nigeria as applicable to the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic vis-à-vis it’s recently mounted ICT Training Programme in the institution’s ICT Centre. The research is based on oral interviews, observation and doctrinal research methods. The research found that the desired ICT training programme and/or any training programme for that matter requires well-coordinated and effective planning and control. The staff of AkwaPoly were made to participate in institutional academic work and at the same time attend the lectures on the ICT training programme with the attendant dearth of commitment to the latter. As a result, the staff appeared not to have benefitted much from the training programme. The paper suggests that in future the authorities of the AkwaPoly should either organise such an ICT programme on weekends or when the students are not writing examinations. This will free the lecturers from examination supervision and marking of examination scripts. The authorities should consider the need to upgrade facilities in the ICT Centre to an optimal level to enable the staff to derive maximum benefit from the programme. Keywords: ICT, Lecturers, New Normal, AkwaPoly and COVID-19