EXPLORING INFORMATION NEEDS AND ACCESS CHANNELS FOR SOCIOECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AMONG ALMAJIRAI IN NORTH WESTERN STATES, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the Information needs and access channels by Almajirai for Socioeconomic Empowerment in North-Western States, Nigeria. Objectives included identifying the types of information needed by the Almajirai for socioeconomic empowerment in North Western States, Nigeria, and identifying sources through which Almajirai access information for socioeconomic empowerment in North Western States, Nigeria. The research approach used for this study was a survey. The population was the Almajirai in Kebbi, Sokoto and Kaduna, Nigeria. However, three hundred and eighty-four (384) respondents were drawn as the sample size for the study out of the total population of one million, four hundred and five thousand, four hundred and fifteen (1,405,415). The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Data collected from the research questions were analysed using frequency and percentage. The study established, amongst others, that the major type of information needed by the Almajirai is religious Information. The majority of Almajirai access information mostly through their friends. The study concluded that Almajirai access and share information, mostly, among themselves through face-to-face interaction. It was recommended among others that Almajirai should be trained on the use of electronic media in order to access and utilise online information. They should also be taught the English language to enable them to effectively communicate and share information with people who do not understand Hausa language. This will break the language barrier that they face.