Mobile Technology's Impact on Lagos, Nigeria: A Comprehensive Report

This report analyzes the usage and impact of mobile technology in Lagos, Nigeria, focusing on its influence on banking, poverty alleviation, and gender empowerment. The study begins with an abstract highlighting the challenges faced by Nigeria due to limited mobile technology access and the potential for advancements in various sectors like education, employment, and financial services. The report then provides a detailed literature review, exploring the effects of mobile phones on gender empowerment, awareness of poverty alleviation, mobile banking services, and healthcare. The methodology section outlines the research philosophy, approach, strategy, design, data collection, and analysis methods. Data findings are presented, followed by a critical evaluation and conclusion, along with recommendations for improving mobile technology's usability and benefits in Nigeria. The report includes figures and tables illustrating key findings related to smartphone usage, mobile banking adoption, and the impact on various aspects of life in Lagos.

Mobile Technology Usage in
Nigeria (Lagos) West Africa

ABSTRACT
The population in Nigeria is facing major complications and issues because of the less
availability of mobile technology. Some basic factors known responsible for degrading condition
of Nigeria is lack of availability of educational resources and facilities, less employment services
and operations. So, with the involvement of mobile technology, different advancements can be
made accordingly that can help in making improvements in the lifestyle and standards of people.
Out of all the population rate, about 35% of population in Nigeria comes under below poverty.
So, it may take time to develop but regular focus on involving these measures can act effective
and helpful. Considering different benefits of mobile technology, it can be analysed that making
people aware of the usability and benefits of these technologies can act beneficial. If the same is
being analysed in various sectors of Nigeria, there is still a potential to make involvements. It is
because although they have adopted many transformations but still there are various
opportunities that can be involved. In addition, it has been analysed that in some areas such as
financial and banking, there have been observed improvements after the involvement of mobile
technologies. The research is about analysing the usage and impact of different mobile
technologies on banking, poverty and gender empowerment in the overall population of Lagos
Nigeria. In this current report which is concentrating on usage and impact of mobile technology
among population and different areas of Nigeria like including Lagos as the main concern. As
mobile technology is having many impact on lives of people including like that of women
empowerment, poverty alleviation and banking service as well.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
Rationale:................................................................................................................................3
Aim.........................................................................................................................................4
Objectives...............................................................................................................................4
Research Questions................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................5
2.2 Impact of mobile phones on gender empowerment in city of Lagos Nigeria..................5
2.3 Awareness of Sustainability Poverty Alleviation in Lagos, Nigeria................................8
2.4 Impact of mobile technology on mobile banking services in Lagos, Nigeria................10
2.5 Ways of increasing awareness of mobile usability benefits...........................................14
2.6 Health care benefits of mobile technology.....................................................................15
2.7 Usability of mobile technology for making improvements in Nigeria...........................18
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................20
3.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................20
3.2 Research philosophy.......................................................................................................20
3.3 Research approach..........................................................................................................20
3.4 Research strategy............................................................................................................21
3.5 Research design..............................................................................................................21
3.6 Data collection................................................................................................................22
3.7 Data Sampling................................................................................................................22
3.8 Data analysis...................................................................................................................23
3.9 Technical analysis..........................................................................................................23
3.10 Design and implementation..........................................................................................23
3.11 Research limitation.......................................................................................................23
CHAPTER 4: DATA FINDINGS.................................................................................................30
4.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................30
4.2 Data findings..................................................................................................................30
CHAPTER 5: CRITICAL EVALUATION...................................................................................40

5.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................40
5.2 Critical evaluation..........................................................................................................40
5.3 Conclusion......................................................................................................................41
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION and RECOMMDENDATION.....................................................43
6.1 Conclusion......................................................................................................................43
6.2 Recommendation............................................................................................................43
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................44
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................48
1. Research proposal.............................................................................................................48
PROJECT TITLE...........................................................................................................................48
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................48
Brief overview......................................................................................................................48
Aim.......................................................................................................................................48
Objectives.............................................................................................................................48
Research Questions..............................................................................................................49
Nature of work and end products.........................................................................................49
MOTIVATION..............................................................................................................................51
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................51
Challenges presented by project...........................................................................................52
Project timetable...................................................................................................................53
2 Ethical form.......................................................................................................................53

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Number of smartphone users in Nigeria from 2014 to 2019 (*in millions) 13
Figure 2: Distribution on the streets and Distribution on the streets and MTN and MTN and Glo points of
sale, Nigeria 15
Figure 3: Breakdown by Mobile Technology, Nigeria Breakdown by Mobile Technology, Nigeria, 2003-2014
17
Figure 4: Mobile phones 37
Figure 5: Use of mobile phone 38
Figure 6: Time duration for usage of mobile phones 39
Figure 7: Bank account 39
Figure 8: Aware of mobile banking service 40
Figure 9: Using mobile operator’s m-banking services 41
Figure 10: Service used by bank’s mobile banking service 42
Figure 11: Accessing mobile banking service 43
Figure 12: Nigerian women are using mobile technology 43
Figure 13: Prolonged use of mobile phone will be causing health problem like cancer 44
Figure 14: Satisfied with overall performance of mobile phone 45
Figure 15: Internet as an important part of mobile phone 45

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Mobile technology usability refers to awareness of the factors associated. So, if different
areas and sectors are considered then it can be observed that some areas have been improved to a
huge extent whereas in some, there is still need for modifications. A very well-known and
common example of this can be considered as banking.
With the help of mobile banking services, people have started getting involved in
operations and services such as fund transfer. Similarly, in educational field, there have been
various observed achievements because mobile technologies involve different factors that helped
in making operations faster and accessible. Before some time, Nigeria was meant to be an area
where there is only involvement of tribes, less technology. Thus, such factors have thrown a
major impact on the living standards of people (Oluwole, Nicolae and Oludele, 2015).
So, there was actually a huge requirement of involvement of mobile technologies to make
some improvisations. Whether it is about making modifications for replacing the culture of
gender empowerment or about eradicating poverty issues, mobile technologies have been
successful after their involvement in different areas of Nigeria. Some factors that are majorly
influenced by it involve less rate of discrimination. because earlier when some women were
being discriminated and had to cooperate because of not having any source by which they can
inform anyone but after involving mobile technologies, it became easier (West, 2015). Women in
Nigeria also started feeling safe and after some time, it helped and changed the living standards
of people.
Mobile technology also helped in changing the image of Nigeria from a tribal area to an
advanced one. Also, it provided a sort of platform to people to access internet and other available
services. So, it can be considered that mobile technology plays a very important role in changing
lives as well as lifestyles of people.
As per the statistics, it has been analysed that about 35% population of Nigeria is still
below poverty line. Although there are various employment opportunities but most of the
population are dependent on agricultural activities. In case of production of petroleum, Nigeria is
known to be on top 12 but still a huge amount of population comes under poverty line. It means
the state is yet to be developed in terms of technology and resources. Some specific causes are
responsible for degrading growth of Nigeria and some well-known examples can be considered
as lack of facilities for education, extended rate of population, corruption, issues with food
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 1

production. Thus, proper, effective and preventive measures can be involved so that rate of
poverty and illiteracy can be controlled. One very appropriate example can be taken as mobile
technology because this has already made enormous number of advancements across the globe
(Benski, Stancanelli and Schmidt, 2017).
So, there is a higher probability that its involvement can act as a beneficial source that
can help the population of Nigeria to deal with the factors causing poverty and can bring
effective solutions. Due to higher illiteracy rate, many people are unaware of effectiveness and
usability of mobile technology that can help in bringing effective changes.
Therefore, this can be involved in order to make people aware of its uses and benefits for
attaining a better and suitable lifestyle and also for improving standards (Shaikh and Karjaluoto,
2015). With the help of mobile technology, people are able to install application. so that they can
track their daily routine. In terms of making food quality better, residents of Nigeria ensure to
inform the consumer courts about the adulteration of food. It is because as corruption rates are
high comparatively in Nigeria and also there have been various cases where it has been found
that rate of adulteration in food items is increasing to a huge extent. So, one can click the pictures
or create some evidence so that the same can be sent to consumer courts. This technique can help
to catch the people engaged in corruption activities (Olanrewaju and Omiola, 2018).
Therefore, it can be considered that involvement of mobile technology can actually help
to deal with corruption, so after that there might be a possibility that the adulteration rate will
also get minimize to a wide extent. Thus, this can help the people of Nigeria to get better quality
of food. They can focus on it to live a healthier and happier life. Also, people can install various
applications in order to track their daily physical activities and other essential factors to stay fit.
By this way, mobile technology can be classified effective in bringing modifications to people
lives, thus making it better and interesting.
There is another issue as lack of academic facilities, because of which, the population of
Nigeria is suffering to a huge extent. Although there is a wide scope but people are not able to
continue their academics because of less number of facilities. Therefore, involvement of different
ways of education by means of mobile technology can act as a beneficial measure for the entire
Nigerian population. There are various educational benefits that are associated with mobile
technology.
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 2

As in case of lectures, students with the help of mobile technology ensure to record the
entire lecture so that if required again, they can listen it at home. This can be classified as
beneficial measure because it can actually help them in achieving an efficient amount of
understanding and knowledge of this topic (Aranda-Jan, Mohutsiwa-Dibe and Loukanova,
2014). So, by this way, classifying usability of mobile technology benefits, it can also help in
shaping future of individuals in the most positive way. Along with audio recording, there are
various other measures that can be used for bringing effective changes in educational facilities.
The government has also initiated various ways by which education can be provided in
areas where there is lack of suitable facilities. So, these factors have been started by the
government so that there have been seen some improvements and there are higher possibilities
that they will gain a literacy rate higher as compared to current situation. The people that are not
that much exposed to the educational activities, online forums have been made. It is because if
any student wants to get connected to teachers for any sort of assistance, they can be able to do it
with the help of these forums (Mkpojiogu, Hashim and Adamu, 2016).
It is because of the unavailability of psychiatrists. With the help of mobile technology, it
has been analysed that the rate of poverty will decrease to an extent in coping with various
challenges. When people will involve the usage of mobile technologies in their lives, it will
automatically bring major modifications and improvements in their life (Ayoade, 2015). So, with
the passage of time, it could be easier for them to cope with challenges of life, thus making it
simple. When people will get educated and then employed, it will obviously help them in
achieving a settled life. So, number of issues and complications will also decrease to a huge
extent.
Rationale:
This particular research which is discussing on the most relative and important topic of
impact and usage of mobile technology in the different areas and population of Nigeria that too
within city of Lagos is very vital in its own way. There are lot of contribution which mobile
technology is making in economy of Nigeria like in education and employment sector. Mobile
technologies have made some advancements for reducing the poverty rate. The government has
included different, new and advanced ways, which provides education to the poor easily. Also,
unemployed people also connect to various different opportunities by means of mobile
technologies. Poverty is considered as another major factor leading to increments in the crimes
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 3

associated with Gender Empowerment. Lagos is regarded to as one of the largest electronic
market of Nigeria and most populated metropolises as well with about 9 million mobile users. In
some areas, people are actually talented and are good in different skills, but just because they do
not have efficient sources and are not able to promote their business to a great extent. So,
different e-commerce platforms have been developed. There are a variety of factors that are
responsible for causing the issues of poverty. Some well-known examples of this can be
considered as lack of economic growth, weak areas of government, lack of facilities for health
and diseases.
Aim
To analyse the impact and usage of mobile technology in different areas and population
of Nigeria: A Study on city of Lagos
Objectives
 To understand the influence of mobile technologies on Gender Empowerment in city of
Lagos state.
 To investigate the awareness about Sustainability Poverty Alleviation in city of Lagos
 To analyse the ease of access and impact of mobile technology on mobile banking
services in city of Lagos
 To recommend ways of analysing and improving impact of mobile technology in various
areas of Nigeria in city of Lagos
Research Questions
1. Q1. What is the impact of mobile technology on gender empowerment?
2. Q2. What are different ways to investigate the awareness about sustainability poverty
alleviation?
3. Q3. How can ease of access and impact of mobile technology on mobile banking services
be analysed?
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This is the second chapter of research, which holds a huge importance because the
themes and objectives are clearly defined in this unit. It will cover all the statistics and data about
the overall usability of mobile technology in Nigeria within city of Lagos. It will also cover
various issues associated with the lack or less usability of mobile technology, thus different ways
and techniques can be adopted for maximizing the usability and benefits of mobile technology in
order to make lives better. This particular section will be having and making discussion based on
thematic literature review by formulating various themes from aims and objectives set up in
above introduction section.
2.2 Impact of mobile phones on gender empowerment in city of Lagos Nigeria
The first question that comes in mind is that although technology has made various
advancements in lives of people, but there are many systems that are developed that can provide
safety to women? Earlier, population in Nigeria was referred to as tribal because of lack of
employment and less literacy rate. Also, because of these factors, women were facing major
complications in their lives (Ippoliti and L’Engle, 2017). The rate of discriminating them on
basis of education and employment was increasing to a huge extent. For achieving an efficient
sustainability rate, it is important to give equal essential to men as well as women.
According to a survey, it has also been analysed that many women in Nigeria had to
about child because of the pressure from family of the girl child. The mentality of people there is
that if a boy will be born, he can be able to get involved in some activities as a source of
employment whereas if a girl will be born, she may not be able to do the same and may be
complications of family increased (Olaleye, Sanusi and Oyelere, 2017). So, on that basis,
enormous number of women in Nigeria had to abort their child. This is somewhere degrading
sustainability rate in Nigeria and also affecting the basic processing of country.
So, for dealing with such changes, mobile technology can act as a powerful tool. It is
because there have been various advancements made in this field and now it promotes a higher
rate of awareness. Different applications have been made so that in case of any emergency,
women can be able to contact or send their present location to anyone for help. Various
applications have been assigned with the contact number of police lines so that in case of any
emergency, they can be able to connect with them. This somewhere increases the awareness
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 5

among people and is a sort of lesson for those who are involved and interested in such crimes.
The government has provided a proper support in terms of technical and financial measures. So,
introduction of mobile technologies has brought positive measures in fields of education,
employment, thus helping the population of Nigeria to deal with different complications of
gender empowerment to fight with them. This has also increased the rate of confidence of people
that now they get involved in different activities so that they can increase their rate of analysis
and understanding.
Cultural barriers are considered as another major reason that is motivating the gender
empowerment. In various families, girls are not allowed to move out for education. Higher
illiteracy rate can be termed as the output of such situations (Kim, Patel and Hinman, 2017). So,
the government has developed and implemented various initiatives to provide education to the
areas lacking proper facilities. In areas, where there are no health care facilities, different
measures have been involved for these people. A very common example of this can be
considered as the fact that different applications have been made by which a person can contact
to emergency department of nearest hospital possible and request for the medication and
facilities.
Therefore, with the help of these platforms, it can help them to increase their overall
production in order to achieve their targets and goals (Sarath, Mohanty and Nayak, 2015). This
can be considered as a very beneficial measure for these people and also will help them to gain a
sort of sustainability with the employment. Thus, it can be considered that an increased usability
of mobile technology can actually help population in Nigeria to deal with various factors, leading
to the decrements in gender empowerment and other related issues.
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 6

Figure 1: Number of smartphone users in Nigeria from 2014 to 2019 (*in millions)
Source: (The Impact of Mobile Services in Nigeria, 2018)
As from the above figure it is quite clear that smartphones users in Nigeria are increasing
year wise. In year 2014 it was only 11 million users of mobile phone but then each year from
2014-2018 it kept on increasing (The Impact of Mobile Services in Nigeria, 2018). In present
year there are about 20.5 million users of smart phone in Nigeria which in coming year 2019 is
estimated to as 23.3 million. This shows that Nigerians are now transforming themselves from
tribal population to digital one with introduction of educational reforms by government. It is
worth noticing that in year 2002 only one tenth of the population of African continent were
having or owing mobile phones and today it is very much common in Africa and Nigeria just
like it is in USA (Husain, Yusuf and Yusuf, 2017). While it is also indicated that smartphone
users those who are having access to applications and internet are not that much in use but there
are some minority group which is owing smartphone which is about 34% of South Africans.
Thus, this shows that mobile phone industry is having its significant economic impact on
Nigerian population as it is giving huge amount of investments in respect of infrastructure or
employment generation. It was included that about $1.6 billion are been invested in Nigeria
Mobile Technology Usability in Nigeria (West Africa). 7