Assessment of ICT Skills of Librarians in University Libraries in Nigeria.

Abstract

Abstract

The rapid digitalization of higher education has intensified the need for robust ICT competencies among librarians, who serve as critical mediators between knowledge systems and academic communities. In Nigeria, however, ICT adoption in university libraries continues to evolve within contexts of infrastructural fragility, inconsistent training, and uneven institutional support. This study assessed the ICT skill levels of librarians in Nigerian university libraries and examined how demographic and organizational factors shape digital proficiency. Using a descriptive cross- sectional survey design, data were collected from 247 professional librarians across 15 universities selected through multi-stage sampling. The "Librarians’ ICT Skills Assessment Scale (LICTSAS)" captured responses on ICT infrastructure access, skill proficiency, institutional support, and perceived barriers. Descriptive and inferential analyses—including correlation, regression, t-test, and ANOVA—were conducted using SPSS 27. Findings indicate that while librarians exhibit high competence in basic computer operations (M = 4.21), proficiency declines in advanced domains such as digital content management and analytical/problem-solving applications (overall M = 3.55). ICT infrastructure (r = .63) and institutional support (r = .61) demonstrate strong positive relationships with skill levels. Regression analysis shows that infrastructure (|3 = .41), institutional support (|3 = .33), and training frequency (|3= .18) jointly predict 53% of the variance in ICT competence. Significant differences were found across educational qualifications but not gender. These results underscore the centrality of institutional ecology in shaping ICT capabilities and affirm the relevance of both the Technology Acceptance Model and Human Capital Theory in explaining digital competence development. The study recommends strategic investment in sustained training, improved technological infrastructure, and national benchmarks for ICT proficiency to strengthen librarians’ capacity for digital scholarship and enhance the overall effectiveness of Nigerian university libraries.