Information Communication Technology in Academics: How far with Elderly Nigerian Academics?
Eucharia O. Ejechi

Abstract
The use of some information communication technology applications ICT) by elderly (>50 years) Nigerian university lecturers (academics) was investigated using discussion and structured questionnaire containing a scale for rating the use of selected commonly used ICT applications. Going by the mean score (56.5±9.0 vs.110 max. points), an average ICT use was indicated, but below average (<50% max. point) when mode/median values (49/51) were considered. Compared by t test, ICT use by younger (<50 years) academics was better than by elderly academics (P=0.048). Academics aged 50-60 years and those with shorter service years (= 15 years) used ICT tools better than their older (=61; t, test; P=0.005) or longer serving (=16 years; P=0.000) colleagues. ICT use was significantly better with men (47.0±7.0 vs. 58.2±8.0, P= 0.020). It can be concluded that ICT use by elderly academics is unsatisfactory and likely to retard ICT diffusion given their academic leadership role.

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