<![CDATA[This study investigated predictors of undergraduates’ enrolment decisions and perceptions of Library and Information Science (LIS) in federal universities in southern Nigeria, using the Social Cognitive Career Theory as its theoretical framework. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study included 2,723 LIS undergraduates in nine federal universities, out of which 408 students were chosen using the stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire. 408 copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, and 321 responded, which were subject to data analysis with descriptive and inferential statistics via SPSS version 23. The results showed that the most effective motivational factors to study LIS were job opportunities and personal interest, which showed a transition towards career driven and intrinsic motivation. Students in general expressed positive views about LIS, especially as it was considered relevant to the national development, contribution to the information economy and intellectual challenge. Although gender did not play a significant role in the decision by students to study LIS, it played a major role in how the students perceived the programme. The study concludes that enrolment in LIS is influenced by perceived career opportunities and positive expectations of outcomes, which has implications for curriculum, career advice, and gender specific academic support. The researcher recommended LIS programmes should actively promote the wide range of career opportunities in the field and early guidance, strengthen ICT focused and practice oriented curricula, and adopt gender sensitive teaching and mentoring approaches to support informed enrolment and positive student perceptions.]]>
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