Social Media Use and Academic Engagement among Undergraduate Students in Nigeria: Evidence from Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria

The rapid growth of social media usage among students in higher institutions worldwide has been driven by technological advancements and increased internet accessibility. This study examined the relationship between social media use and the academic activities of undergraduate students at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study sought to determine the extent of students’ exposure to social media, assess the level of social media usage among students, and investigate its impact on their academic activities. The study was anchored on the Technological Determinism Theory. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, while the questionnaire served as the primary instrument for data collection. A sample size of 391 respondents was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, with findings presented in tables. The results revealed that the majority of students at AE-FUNAI were highly exposed to social media and demonstrated a high level of usage. Furthermore, the study established that social media positively influenced students’ academic activities through personalized learning opportunities, access to academic networks, enhanced communication, support systems, real-time updates, and increased access to educational resources. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the management of AE-FUNAI should integrate social media into the educational curriculum to improve learning outcomes and formulate clear guidelines for responsible social media use among students.