Assessment of information and communication Technology (ICT) literacy level of undergraduate students in university libraries in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This pilot study was carried out to assess the Information Communication Technology (ICT) literacy level of undergraduate students in University Libraries in North Central Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A sample size of 404 respondents from a target population of23,231 undergraduate students who are registered library users in Federal, State and Privately owned universities in North Central Nigeria was used as the respondents for the study, questionnaires were administered as instruments for data collection, the results obtained were analysed using simple percentage statistical tool, mean and standard deviation and the decision rule of 2.5 means score. Findings from this study revealed the available of ICT facilities such as computer systems, printers, projectors, scanners, photocopying machines, internet service. Wide Area Network (WAN) i.e. WIFI, external storage and power supply was readily available in university libraries in North Central Nigeria. The study also revealed a relatively low level of ICT literacy skill amongst undergraduate students in North Central Nigeria as the majority of the students possessed only basic computer appreciation skills. Inadequate integration of ICT in the curriculum, inadequate funding, inadequate ICT infrastructural facilities, lack of training opportunity were also identified as the major factors that affected the acquisition of ICT literacy skills. Thus, the study recommended that ICT literacy should he incorporated into school curriculum, provision of more ICT infrastructures