Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Competence and Teaching Effectiveness of Lecturers: A Case Study of Public Polytechnics in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria

— In the twenty-first century, it is expected that teaching delivered to students in tertiary institutions, particularly in polytechnics, will be effective. In most of the world's nations, including Nigeria, effective teaching with teaching methodologies, content knowledge, classroom management, and assessment procedures along with lecturers' basic, intermediate, and advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies has been a challenge. A case study of public polytechnics in the Nigerian states of Ekiti and Ondo was used in this study to examine lecturers' competence in ICT and their effectiveness as teachers. Data was gathered using a survey design and a self-structured questionnaire. Mixed method sample strategies (Purposive, Systematic, Stratified, and Convenience) were utilized to select 6 faculties, 12 departments, and to administer the questionnaires in the 3 public polytechnics. There were 449 participants in the sample and 1,992 people overall. 422 of the 449 questionnaires that were given to respondents in the institutions were retrieved. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the data. The outcome showed that lecturerrs at public polytechnics in the Nigerian states of Ekiti and Ondo had a modest degree of ICT proficiency (x̅= 2.85). ICT proficiency has a favorable but negligible impact on the effectiveness of teaching in public polytechnics in the two States (β =0.133, t = 1.735, p>0.05). The study demonstrated that ICT competence is a requirement for public polytechnic teaching effectiveness in Ekiti and Ondo States. In order to assure the availability of various ICT facilities in their institutions for use, the researchers advised that the various heads of public polytechnics in the states of Ekiti and Ondo as well as Nigeria generally should ensure the provision of various ICT facilities for use by their lecturers.