Assessment of Computer Appreciation Skills Among Business Education Students in Niger State College of Education

This study assessed computer appreciation skills among Business Education students at Niger State College of Education, Minna, North Central Nigeria. The modern business environment demands a workforce capable of navigating digital tools with proficiency. For Business Education students who will serve as teachers and business professionals, computer appreciation skills are indispensable. However, limited empirical data exists on the level of these skills among students in Niger State institutions, particularly in teacher education colleges. A descriptive survey design was employed. The population comprised 320 NCE Business Education students in the college. Using stratified random sampling, 160 students from years one, two, and three were selected. A researcher-developed instrument, the Computer Appreciation Skills Assessment Checklist, comprising 40 items across five skill domains, was validated by experts in ICT and Business Education. Mean and standard deviation were computed for data analysis. Findings show that students demonstrate competence in basic computer operations such as word processing and internet browsing but score poorly in spreadsheet applications, database management, and presentation software. Access to functional computers was also found to be a significant barrier, with many students relying solely on mobile phones. The study recommends that Niger State College management should procure functional computer hardware and licensed software, while the curriculum should embed computer skills across all Business Education courses rather than treating it as a standalone unit. Keywords: computer appreciation skills, business education, college of education, Niger State, digital literacy