ICT and socio-economic development: A university's engagement in a rural community in Yola, Nigeria

Abstract

This chapter explores ICT interventions, the role of universities in socio-economic development, knowledge creation and dissemination literature before taking a look at a university intervention in ICT for development in a small rural community in Yola, Northeastern Nigeria. The African Center for ICT Innovation and Training1, an American University of Nigeria community engagement initiative is used as a case study to gauge its importance as an ICT resource center for the community and for small businesses and whether applied skills in information technology for university faculty and staff taught at the Center is leading to more productivity. The Yola and Jimeta Communities are also surveyed to find out whether the activities of the Centre and its interventions on developing ICT competencies and capacity building is helping to bridge the digital divide and empowering the community, especially women. © 2008 International Federation for Information Processing.