Abstract
The increasing integration of digital learning technologies into higher education has created opportunities for improving teaching, learning, and student achievement. However, the effective adoption of digital learning platforms in Nigerian polytechnics remains constrained by infrastructural, financial, technical, and digital competency challenges, particularly in the North-East region. This study examined the barriers and facilitators of digital learning adoption in North-East Nigerian polytechnics and their implications for student achievement. A descriptive survey research design with a correlational component was adopted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to students in selected polytechnics, with 80 valid responses analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The findings revealed that respondents generally perceived digital learning platforms as beneficial to their academic activities, with a grand mean of 4.07. Major barriers to effective utilization included poor network coverage (M = 4.05, SD = 0.88), poor internet connectivity (M = 3.99, SD = 1.06), high internet data costs (M = 3.95, SD = 0.94), and frequent power outages (M = 3.87, SD = 0.94), producing an overall challenge mean of 3.78. The findings also identified important facilitating measures, particularly regular ICT training for students (M = 4.47, SD = 0.60), increased government funding (M = 4.43, SD = 0.79), reliable electricity supply (M = 4.42, SD = 0.62), and improved ICT infrastructure (M = 4.39, SD = 0.73), with a grand mean of 4.36. Academic performance indicators recorded a grand mean of 4.04. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between digital learning platform utilization and student academic performance (r = 0.774, p < 0.001). The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. The study concludes that although digital learning platforms have considerable potential to enhance student achievement, their effective adoption and utilization are affected by significant infrastructural, financial, and technical barriers. The study recommends improved ICT infrastructure, reliable electricity, affordable internet access, regular digital skills training, technical support, and increased institutional and government funding to strengthen digital learning adoption and improve student achievement in North-East Nigerian polytechnics.
References
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