Use of information communication technologies (ICTs) among rural dwellers in Oyo State

The study assessed the use of ICTs among rural dwellers in Ago-Are and Eruwa communities of Oyo State, where ICT centres were established by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (I.I.T.A). Systematic random sampling was used in selecting one hundred and twenty respondents from every household in the two communities for the study. Frequency counts, percentages, chi-square (X2) and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used in analyzing the data collected. Results revealed that majority of the respondents were between 26 – 55 years of age, males, Christians, married and had formal education. Respondents use the following ICTs; radio, telephone, television, computer and video player. Majority of the respondents had a low level of use of the ICTs. Respondents listed the following constraints in the use of ICTs; unstable power supply inadequate finance inadequate source of information, lack of awareness and lack of technical expertise.The rural dwellers sampled had a favourable perception of the use of the ICTs. Result of hypotheses tested shows that significant relationships exist between age (r = - 0.039, p = 0.000), main occupation (χ2 = 66.359, p = 0.000), sex (χ2 4.489, p = 0.034), educational status (χ2 = 62.845, p = 0.000) and use of ICTs in the study area. The study also revealed that significant relationship exists between perception (r = 0.423, p = 0.000) and respondents use of ICTs. It is therefore pertinent that necessary infrastructures be provided, especially steady power supply, so as to assist the efforts of extension agents to harness ICTs in communicating improved technologies to rural dwellers in order to reduce their poverty level.Keywords: Use, ICTs, Rural dwellers, Constraints, Perception