In Nigeria, mobile phones have been instrumental to the rapid increase in telecommunications accessibility. Mobile phones have become integral part of daily life among the general population and college/university students. Several studies have found that the use of mobile phones among college/university students has brought about a profound and diverse pool of knowledge. However, mobile phone usage also has its adverse effects. This paper examined the evolution of mobile phones in Nigeria and the concomitant positive and adverse effects of its usage amongst students in tertiary institutions. It identified the positive effects to include easy access to information, instructional usage and personal convenience; while the adverse effects include distraction in the classroom, reduced cognitive ability, cheating during examinations, cyber bulling, poor writing skills and addiction. The paper then concluded that though mobile phones have positive effects on the educational and socio-economic development of Nigerian students, university authorities should take a more proactive role to reduce its adverse effects by either prohibiting the use of mobile phones during lecture hours or encouraging students to switch off their phones or put them on silence mode while receiving lectures. The significance of this paper for the Nigerian educational system is that if its recommendations are implemented, the positive effects of mobile phone usage will then overshadow its negative effects
Keywords: Adverse Effects., Mobile Phone, Nigerian Students, Phone Usage, Positive Effects
