Reflections on Smartphone: A New Paradigm of Modernity in Nigeria

Abstract

This article deals with the study of smartphone adoption and utilization, as a new paradigm of modernity in Nigeria drawing the framework of domestication theory to unravel how the system device integrate into the university students everyday lives. The research draws on self-completion questionnaire and a surveyed of respondents in two sample locations: 250 students at Benson Idahosa University and 350 students at Delta State University using heterogeneous sampling strategy and subjected to statistical conversion via simple percentage, chi-square test and one-way Anova. The findings revealed a number of smartphone domestication patterns citing respondents’ appropriation of smartphone with age, year of study, family income and family status of respondents as intervening variables in the adoption behaviour. The study further found access to internet and other applications as the most important smartphone objectification to the respondents in respective universities. Respondents’ indication of smartphone incorporation was noted relative to a wide range of friendship activities in their advancement and maintenance of social relationships. The article suggests that future research on smartphone domestication in Nigeria should embrace mixed methods approach: qualitative and quantitative to provide a comprehensive understanding of smartphone adoption and utilization behaviour.

Keywords: Smartphone, Modernity, Nigeria, domestication, heterogeneous, university students: BIU, DELSU, Gender and mixed methods