An assessment of the information literacy competence of undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigates the IL competence of the final year undergraduate students at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria; identifying their information needs and ability to satisfy such needs, exposure to IL programmes, strategies employed and the challenges faced. The survey research design was adopted. From a study population of 5,867, a sample size of 1,205 (20.58%) was drawn, using purposive sampling technique. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection which had 6 sections. The study found that majority of the respondents had information needs on their academic engagements like class assignments and project writing. Strategies employed in meeting their information needs revealed their limited IL skills even as they only have little exposure to available IL programmes. Thus, majority expressed dissatisfaction with their present status of information availability, accessibility and usage. Many considered difficulty in identifying their needs, cost of Internet browsing, subscription requirement, as challenges; hence their low level IL competence, constituting hindrance against the full exploration of information resources that may be available for their use. The study recommended that the University authorities should consider the teaching of IL as a course to fresh students with credits attached.