THE ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Abstract The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education has been globally recognized as a vital strategy for enhancing curriculum implementation. In Nigeria, the potential of ICT to transform instructional delivery, learner engagement, and educational administration has been articulated in national policies; however, practical adoption remains uneven. Drawing on a wide range of empirical studies conducted in Nigerian educational settings, this paper examines how ICT influences curriculum implementation, identifies key systemic issues and contextual challenges, and proposes a strategic way forward. The paper reveals that ICT contributes significantly to teaching effectiveness, access to quality educational resources, learner assessment, and administrative efficiency. Nevertheless, infrastructural deficits, limited teacher competence, policy implementation gaps, and digital inequities continue to undermine full integration. To address these barriers, the paper recommends comprehensive policy action, sustained teacher professional development, inclusive infrastructure expansion, and robust digital safety frameworks. This study contributes to the literature on ICT and curriculum reform by providing an integrated, evidence-based roadmap for optimizing ICT use in Nigerian educational practice.