Internet Usage among University Students in Nigeria: A Case Study

Abstract

The study looked at how students at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, used the Internet. A descriptive survey approach was chosen, and the study’s execution was driven by five research questions. The population of the study consisted of 1300 undergraduate students, and the Taro Yamane sample size algorithm was used to select the sample size, which was set at 300 students. The instrument for gathering data was the questionnaire. Experts in research techniques and statistics approved the questionnaire. The instrument’s dependability was determined using Cronbach Alpha, which produced a result of 0.87. Frequency counts and simple percentages were used to examine the data. The research found that the majority of students have access to Internet services on campus and that most of them regularly utilize those services for learning, personal development, and pleasure. The findings also showed that most students choose to use the university library’s Internet services and that obstacles to efficient use of these services included slow Internet speed, unpredictable power supply, weak information retrieval skills, and issues identifying relevant information. The researchers’ recommendations were based on the findings, and they included an upgrade to the institution’s electrical infrastructure, Internet infrastructure, and the provision of Internet access in the students’ dorms to maintain its efficient Internet services. The university library should also instruct students in digital literacy to enhance their search techniques and strategies.