INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY: IMPERATIVE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN A PANDEMIC ERA FOR SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper examined information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching and learning in pandemic era for sustainable national development. The role of ICT in promoting national development cannot be overemphasized. ICT is one of the most reliable sources of support for national development (Global and Local Economy). ICT in teaching and learning in pandemic era in Nigeria include: E-learning system which enables students to learn from their various homes without necessarily coming to class physically, e-business model allows customers to buy and sell products online, providing employment opportunity through the development of new ideas and improvement in technology via the education system, training facilities and affordable access to computers among others. Since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic by the end of 2019, many aspects of human’s lives have been affected dramatically. Therefore, this paper looks at concept of ICT, Education, National development, sustainable development goals, sustainable national development, importance of ICT in national development, and effects of pandemic era on national development in Nigeria. The paper concludes that ICT has improved man’s ingenuity and opportunity to retrieve real-time information for solving societal challenges, and it has also helped in improving the national economy around the world. It was therefore recommended that e-learning facilities should be constantly upgraded to facilitate effective teaching and learning in educational institutions, also, government should adopt e-learning system educationally to avoid schools closure, especially during state of emergency or pandemic.