Geospatial literacy in Africa-Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract. Literature reveals that geography has always been a critical type of information that humans – in fact all animals – collect, organize, and use, and that place-based information is vital to survival on our planet. Geographic literacy is defined as the ability to apply geographic skills and understanding in personal and civic lives. The growing interest has been sparked by an understanding of the role that spatial literacy plays in implementation of geospatial technologies such as computer, cell phone, internet, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and global positioning systems (GPS). These technologies are fundamentally changing how we see the world and interact with it. This paper examines geospatial literacy, with reference to people’s awareness and use of geospatial literacy aid technologies in Ibadan metropolitan area, Nigeria. The research questions that the paper addresses include the following: How are people’s knowledge of computer, cell phone and internet? How are people’s awareness of geospatial literacy aid technologies? How are people using geospatial literacy aid technologies? Are people interested in learning more on how to use geospatial literacy aid technologies? What are the challenges confronting the people? The data used in the paper was from administration of 152 questionnaires to civil servants in five local governments in Ibadan metropolitan area and at the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria between February and August, 2017. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the data. Policy implications of the findings towards improving human capacity building in geospatial literacy aid technologies were discussed in the paper.