Effect of ICT Infrastructure, Spatial Location, and Resource Allocation on Teaching and Learning Outcomes in North-Central Colleges of Education, Nigeria

Abstract

Colleges of Education in Nigeria are central to teacher preparation and national human capital development. However, many institutions in North-Central Nigeria continue to experience weak teaching and learning outcomes due to inadequate ICT infrastructure, locational disadvantages, and poor resource allocation. Although prior studies examined these factors separately, limited empirical research has integrated them within a single framework, particularly in Colleges of Education. This study determined the effect of ICT infrastructure, spatial location, and resource allocation on teaching and learning outcomes in North-Central Colleges of Education, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative approach using a descriptive survey design. The study population comprised lecturers, students, administrators, and ICT personnel from selected public Colleges of Education in North-Central Nigeria. Using Cochran’s sample size formula, a sample size of 600 respondents was determined from the study population through multistage sampling techniques, while 572 valid questionnaires were retrieved and analyzed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that ICT infrastructure in the institutions was moderate (grand mean = 3.03), spatial location influence was high (grand mean = 3.55), while resource allocation was generally low (grand mean = 2.97). Regression results revealed that ICT infrastructure (β = 0.418), spatial location (β = 0.271), and resource allocation (β = 0.356) had significant positive effects on teaching and learning outcomes. Multiple regression results indicated that the three predictors jointly explained 61.0% of the variance in outcomes (R² = 0.610). ICT infrastructure was the strongest predictor (β = 0.418), followed by resource allocation (β = 0.356) and spatial location (β = 0.271). The study concluded that institutional performance is shaped by the interaction of technological capacity, geographic context, and equitable funding. It recommends increased ICT investment, improved internet and electricity supply, equitable funding formulas, targeted support for rural institutions, staff digital training, and data-driven policy planning.