INTERNET AWARENESS, ACCESSIBILITY AND USE BY ACADEMIC STAFF AND UNDERGRADUATES OF NIGERIAN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES: The Case of Bingham University, Karu

Abstract

In this work, we attempted to gain an understanding of the current and potential impact of the Internet on Nigeria tertiary educational system, and to assess the level of awareness, accessibility and use of the Internet by academic staff and undergraduate students especially in Nigeria private universities using Bingham University of Nigeria as a case study. A well structured questionnaire was randomly distributed to 250 selected respondents with a response rate of 50(20%) and 200(80%) for staff and students respectively. In concluding our findings, several variables were put into consideration such as, level of computer literacy, level of awareness of Internet service, frequency of Internet use, amount of time spent on the Internet, Internet use experience, location of Internet access point, Internet skills, purpose of using the Internet, favorite search engine, type of Internet resources utilized, and problems faced while using the Internet. The study evidently confirmed high level of Internet awareness but low level of accessibility and use by both staff and students due to some certain factors. Recommendations were made on how to correct these impediments.