Information Needs and Source Preference of the Pastoral Nomads in Northern States of Nigeria

Abstract

In an era in which government is gradually turning its attention to the disadvantageous groups, particularly those in the rural areas, there is a need for a study directed at bringing out some of the critical problems confronting some of these groups of disadvantaged people. Literature have indicated that one of such critical problems is understanding the information needs of some of the rural dwellers This will ultimately assist the government in designing functional information programs for the people. This study was therefore carried out to find out about the information needs and source preference of the postural nomads in Northern States of Nigeria. A methodological triangulation, involving a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methodology (quan-qual, according to Creswell) was used for the study. In view of the fact that the population of the pastoral nomads in Northern States of Nigeria is undeterminable, large sample theory, proposed by Kerlinger was used to provide the subjects of the study. Questionnaire supplemented by interview and focus group discussions were the instruments used for data collection. Data collected were categorized and analyzed using simple percentages. The study discovered that the information sources preference of the pastoral nomads were radio (as a formal source) and such primordial sources, as family, friends, Ardos etc (as informal sources).It was recommended that libraries, especially, public libraries should form partnership with radio organizations as well as the pastoral NGOs in order to design functional information source programme for the Nomads.