Influence of Smartphones Usage on the Academic Performance of University Students (a Study of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere-Ekiti)

In Nigeria, the smartphone revolution was primarily driven by the country's burgeoning youth population and the rapid expansion of mobile network infrastructure.This study investigatethe "Influence of Smartphone Usage on the Academic Performance of University Students (A Study of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti)." Data from 380 respondents were analyzed to explore students' demographic distribution, patterns of smartphone use, perceptions of its impact on academic performance, self-regulation abilities, and strategies for responsible usage.Results indicate a diverse respondent pool, balanced across genders, age groups, and academic levels, ensuring robust representation. Patterns reveal dual usage: while 65% use smartphones for academic purposes like research and accessing learning materials, 80% report extensive non-academic engagement, such as social media and entertainment, often leading to distractions. Moreover, self-regulation challenges were notable, with 75% struggling to limit usage during study periods.Despite these challenges, 85% recognize smartphones as valuable academic tools. Respondents strongly support institutional interventions, such as education on digital responsibility, classroom policies limiting distractions, and training in self-regulation, to maximize the academic benefits of smartphones while minimizing their disruptive effects. These findings provide actionable insights for promoting balanced smartphone use to enhance academic outcomes.