Socioeconomic Determinants of the Use of Social Media among Agricultural Undergraduates in North-West Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the socioeconomic determinants of use of social media among agriculture undergraduates in North-west Nigeria. Three States were purposively selected out of 7, and 250 students were randomly selected from the States. Data were collected with the aid of a questionnaire. Results of the data analysis revealed that 76.4% of the students had monthly income of ?10,000-?30,000; 55.20% of them spent 10-29 hours per week using the social media. Result of the regression analysis on the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and use of social media shows that age, marital status and monthly income were statistically significant at 10% (p< 0.1); years of formal education and access to internet were both significant at 5% (p< 0.5). Among the social media applications tools used by the respondents, Facebook had the highest users (=3.18), it was then closely followed by WhatsApp (=3.02). Ownership of computer, smartphones and internet access were determinants to use of social media. Monthly income was the major constraint. Social media has fasten the pace at which students communicate, socialize, and, learn. The Nigerian communication commission should enforce a downward review of data bundles that can reduce the cost, also network coverage should be improved by service providers.