Influence of computer anxiety and gender on utilization of information and communication technology resources by undergraduates in private universities in Ogun State, Nigeria

The integration of Information and communication technology (ICT) into higher education has redefined pedagogical practices, academic engagement, and knowledge production globally. Despite sustained investments in ICT infrastructure, disparities in students’ effective utilisation of digital resources persist, particularly in developing contexts. This study investigated the influence of computer anxiety and gender on the utilisation of ICT resources among undergraduates in Nigerian private universities. Descriptive survey research design was adopted, drawing data from 200 undergraduates selected through simple random sampling from Babcock University and Covenant University in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring ICT resource utilisation, computer anxiety, and demographic variables. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and analysis of variance were employed for data analysis at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that ICT resources were widely available and frequently utilised; however, undergraduates reported a relatively high level of computer anxiety. Computer anxiety significantly influenced ICT utilisation, while gender differences were also statistically significant, with male students reporting higher utilisation levels than female students. The study contributes to educational technology literature by empirically demonstrating that psychosocial variables remain critical determinants of ICT engagement, even within technologically well-resourced private universities. The findings highlighted the need for gender-sensitive and anxiety-reduction interventions to maximise the educational benefits of ICT in higher education. Hence, female students should be encouraged to upgrade their information literacy skills to increase their utilisation of ICT resources.