Tokunbo ICT: Symbolic‐rationality of second‐hand ICT utilization in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

Information and communication technology (ICT) stands out as a major indicator and driver of the modern age. It catalytically advances globalization processes across professions, disciplines and agencies across international boundaries. In spite of the widespread utilization of ICT, Nigeria in particular and Africa in general lag behind in the ICT revolution. Striving to modernise and develop, though, Nigeria is rather dependent on the developed world for ICT access and utilization. Nigeria accesses ICT, indeed a great volume of the access rather comes through the second‐hand market. The study aims to integrate theoretical orientations of symbolism and rationalism to empirically explain second‐hand ICT utilization in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through 30 in‐depth interviews (IDIs) and six focus group discussions (FGDs) among sellers and consumers of imported second‐hand ICT at Abeokuta, Ibadan and Lagos cities in Nigeria. The data was collected between July and November 2010. The research is an extract from a larger study on “The dynamics of the Tokunbo phenomenon and second‐hand economy in South‐Western Nigeria”.

Findings

The paper concludes that as much as imported second‐hand ICT satisfies consumer modernity and development needs, it swells up Nigeria's e‐waste. The bulk of the used ICT exported into Nigeria are non‐usable scrap, while those that are functional or usable are at the tail end of their life cycles. By symbolically rationalizing imported second‐hand ICT utilization, the Nigerian population simply pays for the evacuation of e‐waste from producing countries of the developed world to Nigeria. Nigeria is yet to develop a wholesome policy to address second‐hand ICT import and grapple with e‐waste challenge. The economic and health costs of imported e‐waste are on Nigeria and Nigerians.

Originality/value

The primary focus of the paper is on second‐hand ICT utilization in Nigeria. The paper empirically discusses the utilization of second‐hand ICT from the perspective of symbolic‐rationality of modernity and development practice.

Citation

Olumuyiwa Omobowale, A. (2013), "Tokunbo ICT: Symbolic‐rationality of second‐hand ICT utilization in Nigeria", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 33 No. 7/8, pp. 509-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-05-2012-0042