Internet Access and Usage by Nigerian Academics: A Case-study of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated academics access to the computer and Internet, their purpose of using them and the problems they face. The academic staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria were used as a case study. The study reveals that a high percentage has access to both the computer and the Internet, mainly at the cyber-cafes and in their offices. They use the Internet for communication with family members and for academic purposes to aid them in their research. However, in this quest, they encounter problems which included lack of basic infrastructure and a maintenance culture, slowness of the Internet and lack of technical know how. It is concluded that despite these problems Nigerian academics are willing to and are actually embracing the Internet.