PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES OF UNIVERSITIES IN EDO STATE

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigates the perceived influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the administrative processes of universities in Edo State. The study specifically aim to access the perception of the influence of ICT on the administrative processes of universities, determine the perception of the influence of ICT on the administrative processes based on school ownership and to investigate the perceived challenges faced by universities in Edo State in integrating ICT into their administrative processes. The analysis employed descriptive statistics to address research questions and inferential statistics to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. A total population of one thousand, six hundred and forty (1,640) academic and non-academic staff in 2 universities namely; University of Benin (UNIBEN), and Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Edo state was used with a sample size of one hundred and sixty-four (164) academic and nonacademic staff members representing 10% of the entire population of the study was consulted as the research respondents. A selfstructured research questionnaire which was validated by experts was used for the data collection. The Cronbach alpha statistical method was used to determine the reliability of the research instrument, which yielded an alpha coefficient value of 0.74. The findings indicate a high perceived level of ICT integration in administrative processes, particularly in facilitating decision-making, improving accuracy in data handling, and enhancing student registration processes. However, specific challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure, inconsistent funding, and limited training opportunities for staff were highlighted as significant barriers. While perceptions of ICT effectiveness varied slightly based on institutional ownership these differences were not statistically significant. The study concludes that ICT plays a pivotal role in Improving administrative efficiency in universities but requires strategic investment, comprehensive staff training, and supportive policies for sustainable integration. Therefore, it was recommended that prioritizing infrastructure development, implementing regular training programs, and fostering a positive disposition towards ICT among administrative personnel.