For many Nigerian student, studying no longer happens in silence. It happens in the middle of buzzing WhatsApp groups, endless notifications, unstable internet connections, and the constant pull of social media. This is what many students now call digital noise—the online distractions that compete daily for attention. This has become the new reality for learning on Nigeria campuses.
READ ALSO: Students from Niger, Equatorial Guinea to sit for NECO exams
I remember vividly one weekend during my first semester in 200 level when I planned to use my phone to study for an upcoming Exam by searching for additional information on the course materials, following advice from our lecturers to read beyond lecture notes. However, once I turned it on, notifications from WhatsApp and other social media platforms started pouring in. Before I realised it, an hour had passed, spent scrolling instead of reading. That experience showed me how digital tools can support learning while also easily becoming sources of distraction if not carefully managed.
Unlike previous generations that depended solely on lecture notes and physical libraries, students today are turning their smartphones into learning tools. YouTube tutorials explain complex topics in minutes, Telegram channels share academic resources, and platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses that go beyond what is taught in class. For communication and media students especially, digital spaces have become alternative classrooms.
According to industry data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria had around 159 million active internet connections in 2023, with broadband penetration approaching 50%, reflecting how widely students and young people now access online content. For students, this access has opened doors to learning opportunities beyond what many university curriculums offer.
Many Nigerian students are learning practical skills online that their academic curriculum only introduces theoretically such as — Video editing, graphic design, content writing, public relations strategy, and social media management are now being mastered through short videos, online communities, constant practice and provides remote job opportunities to help students growth in the communication field. In a country where access to industry-standard equipment and internships can be limited, the digital space provides exposure and opportunity.
However, studying in the digital noise comes with its challenges. Social media platforms designed for entertainment often blur the line between learning and distraction. A student may open their phone to watch an educational video and end up scrolling endlessly through unrelated content.
Data costs, poor network coverage, and power outages further complicate online learning for Nigerian students.
Despite these obstacles, many students are becoming intentional about how they use digital platforms. Some create study schedules, turn off notifications while learning, or separate academic content from entertainment accounts.
For instance, Liberty University reported that many of its students chose to embark on a 28‑day digital fast, limiting social media and smartphone use to reclaim focus and improve study habits. According to Whitehead, students were encouraged to “self-observe what happens when we intentionally reduce the noise, the distraction, the notifications, the constant buzzing in the pocket.” This reflection highlights how digital fasting is not just about turning off devices, but about understanding and managing one’s attention. Online study groups and professional communities help keep students focused and motivated. Lecturers are also adapting, and blending learning approaches that combine physical lectures with digital ones . This approach makes it easier for students to maximise the benefit of technology
As a new academic year approaches, Nigerian students are learning an important lesson: the digital space is not the enemy; how it is used makes the difference. Those who can filter the noise and focus on valuable content are gaining skills that will remain relevant long after graduation.
In a world where communication is increasingly digital, Nigerian students are not just studying in the noise—they are learning how to speak, create, and succeed within it.
Written by:
Emmanuel Owan and Romanus Gloria Gift
Department of Development and Strategic Communication, University of Abuja.
