PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF ONLINE COMMERCE FOR STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
Abstract
The study examined the prospects and challenges of online commerce for students in tertiary institutions. The main objectives were to determine the extent of students’ engagement in online commerce, identify the benefits, explore the challenges, and examine factors influencing participation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 150 students using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages, and chi-square tests for hypothesis testing. Findings revealed that the majority of students are moderately to highly engaged in online commerce. The prospects identified include income generation, skill acquisition, convenience, time management, market reach expansion, and improved digital literacy. The challenges encountered include poor internet connectivity, cyber fraud, unstable power supply, financial constraints, lack of technical skills, and delivery/logistics problems. Hypothesis testing indicated that online commerce significantly contributes to students’ income generation, while challenges significantly affect participation. The study concluded that online commerce presents substantial opportunities for students but is hindered by infrastructural, financial, and technical challenges. Recommendations include improvement of ICT infrastructure, entrepreneurship and digital skills training, financial support, cybersecurity awareness, and collaboration with reliable logistics providers. This study provides empirical evidence to guide students, educators, policymakers, and researchers in enhancing online commerce engagement in tertiary institutions.
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