An Assessment of the Information Literacy Skills of Students in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

The Study investigated the information literacy skills of Library and Information Science students in Delta State University, Abraka and Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Information literacy instruction is yet to be accorded its correct place in the programmes of study in higher educational institutions. The study adopted a survey approach and a questionnaire structure on a 3-point Likert scale was used for data collection. The sample for the study was 148 (300 level) students. Frequency count and mean statistics were used for data analysis. It was found that the library and information students were information literate, but the researcher was not unmindful of Dunning-Kruger Effect on this finding. Inability of departments to make Information Literacy a compulsory course (100L - final year) for students and inability of lecturers to give students complex take home work (term papers, assignments, seminars) that could be used for the assessment of their information literacy skills were the greatest challenges. The solutions to the problems amongst others are Faculty members and librarians teaching the course should be more pragmatic in course delivery having standards and contemporary trends in mind; and adequate financial provision to libraries in order to enable constant organization of literacy programmes.