An investigation of the influence of digital literacy on online information resources access and use among polytechnic students in Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of digital literacy on online information resources (OIRs) access and use among students in Federal Polytechnic, Ede (FPE), Nigeria. Five objectives, three research questions and two null hypothesis guided the study. The descriptive survey design was employed. The population comprised all the registered students in FPE as at 2024/2025 academic session totalling 17,219. Ten percent of the population (1,702) constituted the study’s sample size which was selected using simple random sampling technique. A self-structured and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 1,702 copies of the questionnaire were administered, out of which 1,599 (94%) were retrieved and found valid for analysis. The data generated were collated and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study showed that the frequency of OIRs use among the students was high (???? = 2.80, ???? = 1.011). Essentially, FPE students engage with OIRs in order to meet their academic information needs, access news and current affairs as well as for entertainment and leisure purposes. The level of digital literacy was found to be high with an average mean of ???? = 3.086. Furthermore, findings revealed substantial positive influence of digital literacy on OIRs access and use (R2 = 0.311; calculated value = 0.000 <α-level =0.05) and (R2 = 0.265; calculated value = 0.000 <α-level =0.05) respectively. The study therefore concluded that there is a significant positive influence of digital literacy on OIRs access and use among students of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that, the Polytechnic Library through its user education programmes should continue to promote information literacy among the students which will enable the sustainability of the reported appreciable usage of OIRs. This study will assist relevant stakeholders in developing viable strategies to promote OIRs usage, students’ digital literacy and their overall academic performance.