Evaluation of ICT Competence as a Determinant of Job Efficacy among University Lecturers in Kwara State

Abstract

: The rapid advancement of information and communication technologies (ICT) has transformed higher education globally, making digital competence an essential requirement for effective teaching, research, and service delivery. In Nigeria, however, limited infrastructure, inadequate training, and inconsistent utilisation of ICT tools continue to raise concerns about lecturers’ ability to perform their academic duties effectively. This study evaluated ICT competence as a determinant of job efficacy among university lecturers in Kwara State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 2,219 lecturers drawn from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State University, and Al-Hikmah University. Using proportional sampling techniques and Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a sample of 327 lecturers was selected. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire titled Evaluation of ICT Competence Skills and University Lecturers’ Job Efficacy Questionnaire (EICTCSULJEQ). Experts validated the instrument, and reliability was established at 0.78 using the Spearman-Brown coefficient. Descriptive statistics (mean, frequency, percentage) were used to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) tested the hypothesis at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that lecturers demonstrated low ICT competence overall, with strength only in word processing and web browsing. ICT resources were only occasionally utilised, with smartphones, email, and social networking being the most frequently used, while advanced technologies such as multimedia projectors and online publishing platforms were rarely applied. Furthermore, ICT competence significantly predicted lecturers’ job efficacy. The study concludes that ICT competence is a critical determinant of lecturers’ effectiveness in higher education. It recommends continuous professional development, improved ICT infrastructure, and institutional policies that promote digital integration as strategies to enhance academic productivity and global competitiveness