Factors Affecting the Use of ICT in Training: A Case Study of the Nigerian Navy

Purpose: This study examined the factors affecting the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Nigerian Navy (NN)l training. The purposes of this research were to: ascertain ICT facilities available for naval training programmes in the four training schools, ascertain the naval instructors’ and trainees’ competences in the use of ICT for NN training , identify the factors affecting the use of ICTs in NN training and proffer strategies for more effective use of ICT in NN training. Methodology: Six research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The descriptive survey research design and inferential statistical method of analyses were adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 665 respondents consist of 599 trainees and 66 instructors. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire of a four-point rating. On the spot method of data collection was adopted to administer the instrument. Tools used for data analyses of research questions were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation Findings: The results revealed that the ICT facilities available are limited, for effective NN training. Five major challenges were identified by respondents in the four training schools as factors affecting the use of ICT in NN training. These are the lack of fully equipped ICT centres and poor power supply among others. The instructors and trainees in the study area proffered six major strategies to mitigate the factors affecting the effective use of ICT in NN training. These are the provision of sufficient ICT facilities, adequate and effective internet service (broad bandwidth) with constant power supply among others. Implications:- From the findings, for the NN to be efficient and relevant in joint operations with other navies of the world and also achieve operational efficiency locally at sea and ashore, the proffered six strategies should be implemented. The Nigerian Navy, through integrated and coordinated use of the ICT in training, can also improve its responsiveness to security issues and effectiveness in the discharge of its overall duty to the nation, with the increased network capability that ICT offers. Originality/Value: This research has not been published in any journal before. Its originality lies in its ability to enable the NN to fully embrace the use of ICT for training to become relevant and effective in joint operations with other navies of the world.