EFFECTS OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT The study examined the types of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools being utilised by students of Obafemi Awolowo University; it also assessed the effect of utilisation of ICT tools on academic performance of students in the institution; and analysed the challenges associated with the utilisation of ICT tools by students of the institution. These were with a view to provide insight on the influence of Information and Communication Technology tools on students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The study utilised both primary and secondary data. Primary data were gathered using questionnaire and interview. The study population (7,468) comprised of undergraduate students from selected faculties such as Technology; Social Sciences; Science; and Environmental Design management in ObafemiAwolowo University, Osun State. Multistage sampling technique was used for the study. A sample size of 380 respondents was obtained using Taro Yamane formula, and proportional to size technique was used to administer questionnaire to the respondents across the selected faculties in the institution. In addition, interview was conducted with purposively selected student executive. Secondary data were obtained from journals and official publications. Data gathered were analyzed using percentages, mean, and linear regression analysis. The study revealed that smartphone (73.7%), laptop or personal computer (73.7%), and e-learning platform (73.7%) were the major types of ICT tools utilised by students in the institution. The study also revealed that majority of the respondents agreed that utilisation of ICT tools shows a significant effect in terms of access to online academic resources (82.9%), communication between students and lecturers’ enhancement (81.6%), and meeting assignment deadline (79%). This shows there is a significant effect found between ICT tools utilisation and improved students’ academic performance. Finally, the result revealed that frequent power outages (80.2%), Slow or unstable internet connection (79%), and High cost of data and internet subscriptions (78.9%) were the major challenges affecting the utilisation of ICT tools in the institution. The study concluded that Information and Communication Technology tools have significant effect on students’ performance in Obafemi AwolowoUniversity, Osun State, Nigeria.