Abstract

This research probes WhatsApp usage among private school teachers in Osogbo Metropolis, focusing on their engagement patterns, motivational factors driving adoption, and the gratifications derived from the social media platform. Employing Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and using the Uses and Gratification Theory, this study found that the chosen teachers used WhatsApp for regular communication and instruction. Findings also revealed that motivations underpinning the adoption of WhatsApp among the selected private school teachers included intrinsic and extrinsic factors that bother on ease of communication practices, convenience and information sharing features of the platform. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the gratifications derived from the use of WhatsApp by teachers included access to information on professional development and enhanced teaching methodologies. One major recommendation is that teachers should be encouraged to create groups on WhatsApp where resources, pedagogical techniques and exchange of ideas could be shared. Considering the methodological limitation imposed using qualitative design in the study, we also recommend the use of quantitative methods to validate and generalize the findings of this study.

Key Words: Uses and Gratifications, Osogbo, WhatsApp, Motivations, Pedagogy.

About the Authors

*Rasheed A. Adebiyi, Ph.D. is of the Department of Mass Communication, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

**Akeem Ademola Azeez is of the Department of Mass Communication, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

***Kafayat Iyabode Liadi is of the Department of Mass Communication, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 17, No. 1, April 2025, pp. 105-118.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Adebiyi, R. A., Azeez, A. A. & Liadi, K. I. (2025). Uses and gratifications of WhatsApp messaging among selected private school teachers in Osogbo, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17 (1): 105-118.

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