TOWARD SUSTAINABLE ICT INTEGRATION IN NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A FOUR-PILLAR FRAMEWORK FOR SYSTEMIC REFORM

<doi>10.24250/jpe/si/2025/OSA/</doi>

Abstract

Despite growing global consensus on the transformative
potential of Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) in education, its integration into Nigerian secondary
schools has been uneven and fraught with systemic
obstacles. ICT is widely recognized for enhancing teaching
effectiveness, fostering learner engagement, promoting
inclusivity, and equipping students with the digital
competencies necessary for thriving in a 21st-century
knowledge economy. However, empirical evidence and
policy analyses reveal a significant gap between Nigeria's
policy ambitions and the practical realities of ICT
deployment in public secondary schools. This conceptual
paper synthesizes recent literature (2020–2024) and
national policy documents—including the National Policy
on ICT in Education and the National Digital Economy
Policy and Strategy—alongside insights from fieldwork
conducted in Nigeria. It identifies structural, pedagogical,
and governance-related constraints undermining effective
ICT adoption. Anchored in constructivist and capability
approaches to education, this study proposes a Four-Pillar
Framework as a strategic roadmap for sustainable ICT
integration. The framework highlights four interrelated
pillars: (1) access to digital infrastructure, (2) teacher
digital competence, (3) curriculum alignment with ICT
pedagogy, and (4) coherent and accountable policy
governance. Each pillar is critically examined with respect
to its current status, stakeholder involvement, and potential
for scalable intervention. Findings indicate that without
targeted investment, institutional readiness, and localized
implementation strategies, ICT initiatives risk becoming
tokenistic or extractive. This paper contributes to the
ongoing discourse on digital equity, educational reform,
and sustainable development in the Global South. It offers
practical insights for policymakers, educators, and
development agencies seeking to bridge the digital divide and foster systemic change in Nigerian education. By
adopting the Four-Pillar Framework, stakeholders can
work collaboratively to transform ICT integration from a
peripheral initiative into a foundational pillar of inclusive
and quality education.