The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent

This article argues that it is necessary to take into account political, cultural, and economic factors when evaluating potential responses to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This approach is similar to that taken by Joseph Schumpeter, who argued for the essential relevance of politics, cul...

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Main Author: O.A. Ladimeji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Johannesburg 2020-03-01
Series:The Thinker
Online Access:https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/227
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author O.A. Ladimeji
author_facet O.A. Ladimeji
author_sort O.A. Ladimeji
collection DOAJ
description This article argues that it is necessary to take into account political, cultural, and economic factors when evaluating potential responses to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This approach is similar to that taken by Joseph Schumpeter, who argued for the essential relevance of politics, culture and economics (1942). This article begins by identifying past national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policies in Nigeria and their impact or lack thereof. It then seeks to identify the nexus that controls decision making in respect of ICT and responses to new technology, as well as which aspects of policy have been successful and unsuccessful. Finally, the article discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by the 4IR, with a focus on what a successful policy response would need to include and what might be the necessary pre-conditions for success.
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spelling doaj-art-59c4004a95bb4eae8a37e0c992de450a2025-01-28T09:02:44ZengUniversity of JohannesburgThe Thinker2075-24582616-907X2020-03-0183110.36615/thethinker.v83i1.227The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent O.A. Ladimeji This article argues that it is necessary to take into account political, cultural, and economic factors when evaluating potential responses to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). This approach is similar to that taken by Joseph Schumpeter, who argued for the essential relevance of politics, culture and economics (1942). This article begins by identifying past national Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policies in Nigeria and their impact or lack thereof. It then seeks to identify the nexus that controls decision making in respect of ICT and responses to new technology, as well as which aspects of policy have been successful and unsuccessful. Finally, the article discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by the 4IR, with a focus on what a successful policy response would need to include and what might be the necessary pre-conditions for success. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/227
spellingShingle O.A. Ladimeji
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
The Thinker
title The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
title_full The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
title_fullStr The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
title_full_unstemmed The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
title_short The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Nigeria: A Policy Conundrum and High Stakes for the Future of the African Continent
title_sort fourth industrial revolution and nigeria a policy conundrum and high stakes for the future of the african continent
url https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/The_Thinker/article/view/227
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