Investigation on The Levels of Awareness and Engagement with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies among Undergraduate Students in Building and Woodwork Technology.

Abstract

The study assessed the challenges and sustainability strategies of solar power microgridimplementation in rural communities in Kogi and Niger States. Two research questionsand two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey researchdesign. The targeted population of the study was 548 respondents comprising of 499energy consumers and 49 microgrid personnel from rural communities in Kogi and NigerStates,Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used to 277 energy consumersfrom the two rural communities, and census sampling technique was used to select 49microgrid personnel from the communities. A structured questionnaire titled“Questionnaire on Solar Power Microgrids Effects on Rural Communities (QSPERRC)”was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three experts and was pilottested in Kwara State using 15 Energy Consumers and Microgrid Personnel. CronbachAlpha formula was used with the overall reliability index of the instrument found to be0.87, which implied that instrument was reliable for use. Data collected was analysedusing mean, standard deviation and z-test statistics. The findings of the study revealed thatthe contributions of solar power microgrids on socio-economic development in ruralcommunities in Kogi and Niger States includes significant improvements in; healthcareservices, small-scale enterprises,educational development and social and communitydevelopment. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that governmentand policymakers should provide adequate subsidies, grants, and policy support to reducethe high initial capital costs associated with solar power microgrid projects in ruralcommunities in Kogi and Niger State.