Acceptance of IoT Technology among Students and Staff of Tertiary Institutions in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of physical devices that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data all over the world. IoT has permeated almost every aspect of human life in recent times, encompassing cities, houses, tertiary institutions, production plants, businesses, agriculture, hospitals, and medical centers. Africa is currently experiencing a delayed adoption of technology particularly IoT technology in the educational sector. Nigeria has immense IoT potential. If it is properly implemented, will likely result in enhanced productivity across all economic sectors, and a higher standard of living for the people. The impact of IoT in Nigeria, however, is not obvious this could likely be due to poor knowledge, poverty, insufficiency and lack of electricity especially in rural areas, religion, corruption, government policy, and the like. User acceptability is essential for the successful adoption of any information technology (IT) or information system. This study investigated the behavioral intentions of students and staff at tertiary institutions in Kaduna metropolis to adopt IoT technology for educational purposes. Also to check how strong the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) predictors were in predicting students and staff willingness to embrace IoT technology. The data was collected from 300 respondents through the use of an online questionnaire (google form). SPSS 25 and AMOS 26 were the statistical tools utilized to capture and evaluate the questionnaire data. Based on the research theoretical model and the research hypothesis, the empirical findings suggest that the factors of Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, and Facilitating Condition positively influence Behavioral Intentions to use IoT technology, whereas Social Influence has no positive influence on Behavioral Intentions to use IoT technology for educational purposes in tertiary institutions in Kaduna state metropolis.