INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR REALIZING THE NIGERIAN VISION 2020

Nigeria a land so blessed with Natural resources is still lacking in the area development. In this political era however, the political leaders are showing a strong will to develop the country. This desire for development is manifested in the vision 2020 document. The blueprint for the vision 2020 development has a vision statement that “By 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a significant player in the global economic and political arena” The key parameters listed for the achievement of the vision are in the area of polity, macro ? economic development, Infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture and manufacturing. To ensure the success of the vision 2020, the critical success factors enumerated are a clear definition of the vision, leadership commitment, shared ownership by all stakeholders, a holistic and coherent and integrated strategy, effective strategic plan and framework, involvement of people from all tier of government and availability of human, financial and Institutional resources required to develop the vision. Very central and critical to these factors is the role of Information Technology which is a major tool for social, economic and political growth. Information Technology infrastructure is important in carrying information about job, investment opportunities provision of goods, services and Epayment. It is important that Information Technology be integrated and utilized in all the different parameters identified. IT has provided tremendous opportunity for rapid economic growth and confers competitive advantage to those that have access to it. The major challenge towards achieving the strategic goals of vision 2020 has to do with the proper acquisition and massive deployment of Information Technology