By Nnamdi Ojiego

Research has revealed that level of electronic/online transactions in Nigeria popularly is still very low as compared to countries of developed.

Head of Operations, e-Shekels Ltd, a technology research firm, Ms Jessica Ako made this revelation in a media chat with the Vanguard Hi-tech at the companies corporate headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos. According to her, Nigerians were not willing to do online businesses because fear of being defrauded.

She said lack of trust, fear of duped, and inefficiency on the part of the handlers are some of the reasons for this trend. “Nigerians underused e-commerce, in fact we are lagging behind in e-business. People are afraid to do online business because they want lose their money. Look at what is happening with ATM, people are losing their money on daily basis. So the problem is the issue of inefficiency, if the system is efficient and credible, people will be encourage to use it.”

Ms Ako also disclosed that more than 50 per cent of the Nigerian population lacked the necessary basic computer and Information and Communication Technology, ICT skills. She stated that Nigerians are willing to learn but for unfavourable environment lack of computer learning facilities.

According to her, this was evident in GSM mobile phones where almost all phone owners including illiterate people in villages operate their phones. “ In the course of our work as a research institute, we have discovered that more than 50 per cent of Nigerians are computer illiterates. Prices of computers and cost of accessing the internet are still high especially, in the rural areas.

She said some of the challenges that have slowed the development of ICT as well as even distribution of computer and internet facilities included lack of infrastructure such power; and finance. According her, there is so much poverty in the land that most people are struggling to get a square meal a day.