Digital skills development of university library professionals in Nigeria: testing the UTAUT model

Introduction. The UTAUT model has been famous for predicting technology usage. This study tested the UTAUT model on the intention to develop digital skills of university library professionals in Nigeria. Method. Data was collected through questionnaire from 453 respondents and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result. Findings revealed that the university library professionals in Nigeria lack digital skills to carry out some operational tasks, especially serials, acquisition and some cataloguing tasks using z39 and OCLC. This study has shed light on the current digital skills level and factors that impede skills development, such as gender, education, years of experience and career cadre, using the UTAUT model. Conclusion. This study has upheld the validity, consistency, and expansion of the model beyond technology usage to digital skills development intentions. Recommendations were made to library management and related stakeholders in Nigeria to put to consideration the identified factors as guide-light for planning and decision making on digital capacity development for their staff.