Comparative assessment of information literacy competence of graduating students in selected Federal, State and Private Universities in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

With the sophisticated development of Internet applications and social media platforms, there is a continuous and unhindered flow of  information across the universe, including the spread of fake news. This necessitated the need for individuals’ possession of information  literacy (IL) competence, which are set of knowledge and skills for creating, accessing, evaluating, communicating and using media and  information sources in ethical ways. As significant users of all forms of information sources, graduating students of selected federal, state  and private universities were studied to ascertain their level of IL competence. The survey research method was adopted with a 20- item achievement test and questionnaire as data collection instruments, which were validated and pilot-tested with an average reliability  score of r=0.87. Findings revealed that the IL competence level of the graduating students was poor at just 30% and the test of hypothesis  with ANOVA revealed no significant difference in the IL competence level of the students in federal, state and private  universities in Southern Nigeria. It was also found that courses on use of library and information technology, guidance from library staff,  departmental trainings and seminars were major instructional avenues that could not enhance the IL competence level of the students.  This is in addition to challenges of overcrowded classes, course clashing, students’ attitude to instructions and general pattern of  instructional delivery. These findings that hinged on poor IL competence has implications in this era of information explosion and the  spread of fake news. The paper concludes that IL competence is necessary for all in the digital era and recommends that educators factor  IL training in compulsory courses like “Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT” and or possibly create another general studies course  on IL instructions in Nigerian universities.