Bridging the Divide: Assessing the Awareness-to-Utilization Gap of Generative AI Tools for Personalized Learning in Nigerian Higher Education

This study investigated the levels of awareness and utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) for personalized learning among undergraduates in Nigeria, with the primary objective of quantifying the existence and identifying the predictors of the awareness-to-utilization gap. A total of 150 undergraduates were sampled from three universities (federal, state, and private) using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected via a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired samples t-tests, and multiple linear regression. The findings confirmed a high level of GenAI awareness (M = 3.98) and a significantly lower level of GenAI utilization (M = 3.70), thereby validating the existence of a statistically significant gap (t(149) = 4.457, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that GenAI awareness (GenAI_A) was the only significant predictor of utilization (B = 0.492, p <0.001). Significantly, demographic factors (age, gender) and institutional affiliation were found to be non-significant predictors (p > 0.05). The study concludes that the challenge to full GenAI adoption is not rooted in students' lack of knowledge or acceptance, but rather in systemic and infrastructural barriers (facilitating conditions), which equally constrain all student groups, regardless of their personal characteristics. It is recommended that Nigerian Higher Education Institutions shift focus from awareness campaigns to strengthening infrastructural capacity and policy frameworks to enable the consistent translation of awareness into practical use.