Information and Communication Technology and Bank Performance in Nigeria: A Panel Data Analysis

This study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on banks performance in Nigeria using annual panel data set over 2001 to 2011 periods. The data was analysed using panel unit root, panel cointegration, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) and Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) to reveals a positive impact of ICT on banks performance in the country. Therefore, the study concludes that cautious application of ICT apparatus will continue to enhance commercial banks performance in the country unless otherwise disrupted by externalities. The implication of this finding exposes the potentiality of cashless economy in Nigeria for strengthening the efficacy of financial system. Accordingly, the Central Bank of Nigeria’ cashless policy is an initiative at the right direction since it will help in minimising the cost of issuing currency in the fairly performing Nigerian economy. We recommend that there is the need for orienting the populace about the benefit of ICT product on banking operation in particular and the economy in general. In order to promote more patronage of ICT equipments on the one hand and enhance banking culture on the other hand, concerted efforts must be made to translate the ICT device language into the major local languages so that client can find it user-friendly at the midst of prevailing high rate of illiteracy in the country .