Analysis of internet access and use by academic staff in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the extent/level of internet access, and use by academic staff in the University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, as a teaching/research tool. Dsign/methodology/approach - A structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection, with academic staff in the University of Calabar as respondents. Findings - The findings of the survey show extensive internet use by the respondents, although with a low level of access to the internet (26.92 per cent), as most of the respondents have access to the internet through a commercial internet cybercafe off campus, while only 3.08 and 1.54 per cent could access the internet in their offices and university library, respectively. The basic reasons for internet access, and use by the respondents, are for communication through e-mail (16.87 per cent), teaching (15.66 per cent), and research related activities (14.58 per cent). The findings also indicated that although there exists a high level of skills in internet access, and use by the respondents, there is a need to organize regular formal user training by the university library (university management), for all academic staff in the University of Calabar, as well as each Nigerian university. Originality/value - The paper recommends the provision of equitable internet access not only in the University of Calabar, but all Nigerian universities. Most significantly the paper advocates a national policy of providing internet access for all academic staff in their offices in Nigerian universities, and effective electronic collection development to supplement traditional print resources in the university libraries towards enhanced electronic access, and use by academic staff.