Assessment of Virtual Laboratory Use in Undergraduate Science Programmes at Universities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria

This study assesses the adoption and effectiveness of virtual laboratory applications in undergraduate science programmes at universities in Ondo State, South West Nigeria. The persistent shortage of physical laboratory consumables and equipment in Nigerian universities has generated interest in virtual laboratory platforms as complementary tools. This descriptive survey involved 180 undergraduates and 40 science lecturers from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, and Achievers University, Owo. Separate validated questionnaires for students and staff measured awareness, frequency of use, perceived effectiveness, and barriers. Findings reveal low adoption rates despite relatively high awareness: most lecturers are aware of platforms such as Labster and PhET but fewer than 20 percent regularly integrate them into course delivery. Students who have used virtual labs report positive experiences, citing convenience and ability to repeat experiments without consumable costs. Bandwidth requirements and institutional licensing costs are the primary barriers to wider adoption. The study recommends that Ondo State university management negotiate institutional licenses for virtual laboratory platforms, integrate virtual lab sessions into science course outlines, and invest in bandwidth upgrades to support simultaneous student access. Keywords: virtual laboratory, undergraduate science, university education, Ondo State, digital simulation