INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION BY WOMEN IN ACADEMICS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the level of Information Communication Technology (ICT) utilization by Women in academics in twoNigerian universities in the South-South and South-West geo-political zones namely the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, (UNIBEN) and AdekunleAjasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, (AAUA). To achieve the objectives of the study, eight research questions were raised from whichthree hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A survey research design of the descriptive method was adopted for the study. The total population of693 consisted of Women academic staff members from the ranks of Assistant Lecturers to Professors in both universities was used. A total of 347 were the sample size of the studyusing a stratified and proportionate sampling technique. A self structured questionnaire which was validated by experts’ judgment approach and thereafter produced a reliability coefficient of 0.81 using Cronbach’s alpha procedure and the Split-half reliability approach was the instrument adopted for the study. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferencial statistics. Specifically, the descriptive sstatistics were used to answer the research questions, using mean scores and standard deviation while the inferential statistics was deployed to test the hypotheses using the Chi-Square, independent sample t-test and the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The major finding of the study revealed that: there was a significant difference in ICT utilization between the Women in academicsatthe University of Benin and AdekunleAjasin University based on their ranks or positions; that both the Junior level ranking Women in academics and the Middle level ranking Women in academics were found to be more ICT compliant than their High Ranking Women in academics colleagues; that the factors influencing the effective utilization of ICT by Women in academics were largely personal and xiii surrounded with issues such as inadequate knowledge of ICT, the overwhelming workload in the office, family duties and responsibilities, phobia for ICT devices among others. The study recommended among others that the universities should invest in more complex ICT infrastructures and applications and specifically train Women in academics.The high-level ranking Women in academics who were found to be less ICT compliant should be encouraged to improve their ICT competency skills through adequate need assessment and training programmes.