Information and communications technology (ICT) refers to all the technology used to handle telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building management systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems, and network-based control and monitoring functions. The information revolution and the extraordinary increase in the spread of knowledge has given birth to a new era-one of knowledge and information which affects directly economic, social, cultural and political activities of all regions of the world, including Africa. The Nigerian economy is currently supported by oil, which is the major non-renewable energy source. ICTs play an important role in increasing productivity and efficiency in many sectors of the economy. With the expectation of high oil prices, the question arises as to whether increased production and more equitable distribution of useful oil and gas energy resources are possible, through the use of modern ICTs. This applies mostly to developing countries like Nigeria. Oil exporting countries try to maximize the advantages of using ICTs, while oil importing countries are interested in using oil and gas more effectively (Dike, Adoghe, &Ademola, 2013).Thus, determining the impact of ICTs in the Nigerian oil and gas sector can be used to better access the future economic development of developing countries. ICTs provide a means to improve both upstream operations (crude oil production and exploration) and downstream operations (transportation, refining of crude-oil and distribution of oil products).

Oil companies in particular adopt ICTs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, as well as to aid management decision making. This helps to strengthen their competitive positions in rapidly changing environments. Environmental, organizational, and technological factors are creating a highly competitive business environment in which customers are the focal point (Efraim, Dorothy, Ephraim, James, 2009). Furthermore, these factors can change very quickly. Thus, the growth of any company is tied to retaining loyal customers, improving productivity, reducing costs, increasing market share, and providing timely organizational response (Matthew, Luka & Frank 2012). ICT is a major tool for dealing with these issues. Due to the degree of uncertainty in today’s competitive oil industry, oil companies in Nigeria are operating under increasing pressures to produce more with minimum resources. In order to succeed in this dynamic environment, oil companies must undertake innovative activities such as improving operational processes and continuously reviewing competitive strategies. ICT has a high impact in oil and gas operations. For example, in upstream operations ICTs and related technologies may provide possibilities for expanding proven crude oil reserves, improving the rate of crude-oil extraction from existing wells, and providing further means to discover new wells (UNCTAD, 2006).

A growing number of corporate organizations have recognized the high potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to contribute to national and social development. Information and communication technologies have a critical role to play in development efforts around the world. There was a time when the benefits of applying ICT in fighting poverty and promoting economic growth were not widely understood. Many in the developing community questioned how communication technology could be used to alleviate such dire challenges as starvation, homelessness and lack of basic education and health services. Recently, this view has given way to an understanding of ICT as an essential component of boarder efforts to harness the free flow of information, accountability and economic development in the world. In recent times, both the developing countries and the international communities have started taking concrete actions to incorporate ICT into their economic policies and development agenda (Kunti, 2006).

Therefore, the researcher considered it necessary to investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the management of the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria. The advent of information and communication technologies has a huge impact on the way organizations of all types and users perform their work (Kunti, 2006). What has become known as the Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) revolution has improved efficiency and effectiveness in most sectors of the economy. By allowing organizations to create and analyze important new information, it changed the way major decisions were made (Rocheleau, 2009)