Abstract

The general purpose of this study is to identify the reasons responsible for closure of cybercafés in Delta State, Nigeria. Questionnaire was designed in line with the objectives of the study and used to gather data for the research. The data gathered were analyzed and presented using charts. The study revealed that there was incessant closure of cybercafés in the two sites (Abraka and Asaba) used for the research; that out of the twelve cybercafés used 6 each had their connectivity using C-band and Ku-band respectively. The closure ranges from three months to three years of establishing the cybercafés. The researchers also identified that challenges faced by the cybercafés that necessitated the closure ranges from high cost of bandwidth, loss of signals due to attenuation and heavy rain fall, inconsistency of electricity power supply, low patronage due to the option of using external modem through  network providers such as MTN, GLO, Etisalat among others. The study­ actually ascertained that cybercafés were closed down in Delta State due to high bandwidth subscription, loss of signals, and inconsistency of electricity power supply among others. Researchers could use this study as a guide to determine the situation in other parts of the world. This study could be considered as the first research on cybercafés closure in Delta State, Nigeria, as there is no similar study in literature except the situation in Lagos and Ghana (Africa).

Key words: Cybercafés, E-Library, virtual library, closure, Delta, Nigeria.