In determining information needs of specific group of user, the research instrument is a vital
factor of identifying the need areas and various influences which define such user’s needs. This
study is based on identifying primary areas of information needs of rural adolescents. From a
sample population of 800 rural secondary school students spread through six of the Eastern
states of Nigeria, it was found that 267 (60.3%) males and 207 (58.0%) females need
information on ‘occupation’. Their second highest area of information need was on ‘health’
with 126 (28.4%) males and 105 (29.4%) female. Respondents also showed interests in ‘social
services’ with 38 (8.6%) males and 24 (6.7%) females indicating information need in this area.
The survey findings further revealed high influence of parents’ occupation in information
generation among the students’. The majority of respondents are from the ‘lower’ and ‘middle’
class social structure and the extent to which this factor affects the shift of emphasis from
education to occupation needs is also discussed. In developing rural area, the paper advocates
for special attention to be focused on the information needs of rural adolescents to enhance
development.