ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF ICT IN PROMOTING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE BUSINESS IN ILORIN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract
The increasing importance of digital technologies in business operations has raised concerns about the extent to which Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Ilorin metropolis are leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for growth and sustainability. This study investigated the use of ICT in promoting SMEs in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. The objectives were to examine commonly used ICT tools, assess the influence of ICT adoption on SME performance, identify challenges to ICT utilization, and determine effective strategies for improving ICT use. A descriptive survey research design was employed. The population consisted of 8,450 registered SMEs, from which 400 SME owners and managers were sampled using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire served as the research instrument, and data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that SMEs predominantly used POS machines, mobile banking, social media platforms, and internet services for business operations. ICT adoption significantly enhanced sales growth, market reach, customer satisfaction, and business efficiency. However, challenges such as cyber fraud concerns, lack of ICT competence, high cost of technology, and erratic electricity supply constrained effective usage. The study concluded that ICT adoption positively influences SME performance in Ilorin metropolis. It was recommended that policy-makers introduce ICT incentives, improve power infrastructure, and organize capacity-building programmes to strengthen digital competence among SME operators.

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