Research Article

DETERMINANTS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: AN EXTENDED UTAUT MODEL APPROACH

Yusuf Suleiman1, Abdulkadir Nimotallahi Biola1, Abdulkareem Rukayat Adetoun1*, Yusuf Olasunkanmi Ibrahim2
1 Department of Educational Management and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria
2 Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: abdulkareemrukayatadetoun@abueducationjournals.com
Published: Jun, 2026
Pages: 124-138
Views: 17
Downloads: 14

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation of higher education has significantly reshaped the delivery of academic supportservices across universities worldwide. Academic support services, including learning management systems, elibraries,online registration systems, virtual counselling, student information systems, and administrative supportplatforms, are increasingly becoming central to institutional effectiveness, student engagement, and educationalquality. In Nigerian universities, despite increased institutional investments in information and communicationtechnologies (ICT), the adoption and sustained utilisation of digital systems for academic support remaininconsistent due to behavioural, infrastructural, socio-economic, and organisational barriers. This paper examinesthe determinants of technology adoption for academic support services in Nigerian universities using an ExtendedUnified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Building on the foundational UTAUTconstructs of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions, the studyincorporates additional context-specific variables, such as digital literacy, institutional support, trust, andperceived financial cost, to better explain technology adoption within the realities of Nigerian higher education.Drawing from empirical studies and contemporary literature, the study proposes that behavioural intentionmediates the relationship between these determinants and actual technology use. The paper adopts a quantitativeorientation and recommends Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) as a robust analytical framework for empiricalvalidation. The study contributes theoretically by extending UTAUT within a developing-country context andpractically by providing evidence-based insights for university administrators, policymakers, and stakeholdersseeking to strengthen sustainable digital transformation in Nigerian universities. It concludes that effectiveadoption of technology in academic support services depends not merely on technological availability but also oninstitutional readiness, digital competence, trust, and affordability.

Keywords

Extended UTAUT technology adoption academic support services Nigerian universities digital literacy institutional support

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How to Cite

Suleiman, Y., Biola, A. N., Adetoun, A. R., & Ibrahim, Y. O. (2026). DETERMINANTS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: AN EXTENDED UTAUT MODEL APPROACH. Journal of Educational Research and Development, 21(1), 124-138.

Y. Suleiman, A. N. Biola, A. R. Adetoun, and Y. O. Ibrahim, "DETERMINANTS OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: AN EXTENDED UTAUT MODEL APPROACH," Journal of Educational Research and Development, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 124-138, June 2026.

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