Issues In Nigeria Research Articles

Exploring Alternative Behavioural Trajectories in Entrepreneurship Education in Universities

This Paper explored alternative behavioural trajectories navigable to address entrepreneurship education issues in Nigeria's public universities. Entrepreneurship education's current viability and capacity utilization have not gained the impetus to drive students’ practical application development and add significant value to economic development. This work relied on ethnography using the participant observer method to get relevant contextual specifics to give insights on traversable alternatives that culminate in the much-desired economic development and growth of individuals and the nation at large. It was concluded that behavioural alterations that gravitate towards trajectories that deviate significantly from the dismal state of affairs obtainable in the current pedagogy are the panacea to the apparent quagmire. It was suggested amongst others that driving emotional attachment, improvisation, and the use of alternative sources of funding are avenues of attaining optimal level benefits of entrepreneurship education. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge of entrepreneurship development and knowledge efficiency.

The Legal Implications of Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies: A Nigerian Perspective

Children have the right to life, survival and development but also a right to be protected from any form of abuse, particularly in schools. Therefore, the standards for child protection in schools should be guided by the principles that prioritize the safety, well-being and rights of children. These principles form the basis of child protection safeguarding policies in schools and are paramount in ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for children. Yet the spate of child protection issues in Nigeria raises questions regarding the existence, implementation and enforcement of the pieces of legislation and policies within schools. This work not only examined the legal framework for child protection in Nigeria but also the legal implications of child safeguarding policies in schools. It argues that in order for schools to create a secure and safe environment for learning, firstly, the establishment of child safeguarding policies and procedure are critical to achieving this. Secondly, schools need to abandon the old concept of punishment-based discipline that relies on fear and embrace a more modern correction-based approach to discipline and establish structures to leverage discipline to achieve a safe and secure environment for all. It concludes that safeguarding policies should be viewed as a school’s translation of child protection legislation for action and as such, its implementation manual. In drawing lessons from the UK, the study recommended that government needs to drive child protection issues through the education of stakeholders and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism or regulatory body. This body should coordinate child safeguarding issues by providing a platform for stakeholder collaboration in order to achieve more cohesion within the sector.

Amplifying voices, shaping culture: A critical examination of social media’s influence on socio-cultural issues in Nigeria

Amplifying voices, shaping culture: A critical examination of social media’s influence on socio-cultural issues in Nigeria

Geospatial insights into open defecation vulnerability in Gulumbe, Nigeria

Open defecation (OD) poses a serious public health risk by exposing communities to diseases and compromising the well-being of people. One potential approach to mitigating its impact is the application of spatial planning techniques. However, spatial data paucity is one of the major problems in addressing open defecation issues in Nigeria. This study employed spatial analysis to identify areas particularly susceptible to OD using Geographical Information System (GIS) including Merginmap applications on Android and QGIS software, which were used with field observations to georeferenced residential areas, public toilets, and instances of open defecation. Proximity analysis and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation, based on Moran’s I, were employed to assess vulnerability. Buffer analysis was conducted to identify residential areas within 100 m of an OD site, and the findings indicated residential areas at high risk of experiencing negative impacts from OD. The LISA analysis revealed a high-to-high clustering pattern (p < 0.05) in the southern region of the study area, which aligns with the results of the buffer analysis and further suggests consistent spatial patterning. Furthermore, OD was more prevalent near water bodies and inner residential areas, increasing the risk of water and air pollution. This pollution could facilitate the spread of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, from OD sites to nearby households, increasing the risk of disease. This study stresses the potential of GIS in evaluating areas vulnerable to OD and highlights the need to expand awareness campaigns regarding proper hygiene and sanitation practices in rural communities.

Open Defecation and Water-Related Parasitic Diseases Burden: Case Study in Nigeria — A Review

Open defecation and its water-related parasitic diseases burdens are very grave health issues in Nigeria, all underdeveloped/developing countries; and large populations are at risks. Study was based on data collection through primary and secondary sources. 20% of Nigerians still openly defecate and stands 25th in the world rating; most Europe and North America is free of this habit, and 68% Niger Republican still indulge and they’re the worst in the world. It is most common where toilet facilities, pipe borne water, poor sewage disposal, homeless and illiteracy thrive. It’s done by various methods; government/non-government agencies, enlightened/semi-literate/literates (e.g., undergraduates in hostels) are involved. Burdens of this habit politically, economically, health-wise, and socially is heavy. Associated water-related parasitic pathogens which contaminate water resources include: Protozoa (9); Platyhelminthes (13); and nematodes (7). Burdens/effects, of various serious diseases, are high on the nation. Open defecation is the major means of seeding parasites into soils/water-resources/bodies. Rural communities are at highest risk of these parasitic-water-borne diseases. Implications of these findings suggest that parasitic organisms are maintained by a viable ecosystem in remote settlements/many urban areas among the poor. Preventive measures: boiling/treating potable water; government/non-governmental agencies provision of pipe-borne water; wells, ponds, bore holes, streams; protections of water-resources from contaminations.

How Nollywood Can Facilitate Criminal Justice Responses to Herdsmen Issues in Nigeria

How Nollywood Can Facilitate Criminal Justice Responses to Herdsmen Issues in Nigeria

Influence of Gratification on Political Reporting in Nigeria (A Case Study of Magic FM, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria)

This research study aims to examine the impact of gratification on political relationships in Nigeria. The Nigerian media system is characterized by a high level of government interference and limited freedom of expression. It is therefore relevant to examine the extent to which gratification shapes the political reporting of Nigerian journalists. The study employed a mixed research method involving the use of semi-structured interviews and content analysis of news articles. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 50 journalists covering political news in Nigeria. The interviews were conducted to discover the underlying reasons that influence their decision-making process in covering political news. Content analysis was used to examine the content of political articles to determine the extent to which it is influenced by satisfaction. The findings revealed that satisfaction plays an important role in how journalists cover politics in Nigeria. Journalists received gifts, favors and money in exchange for favorable political news coverage. These rewards have affected his objectivity, professionalism and credibility. Furthermore, the results revealed that government officials are the most important source of rewards that journalists receive. Content analysis revealed that reporting on political news in Nigeria was biased, unprofessional and lacked objectivity. The reports were often biased towards the interests of government officials who liked the reporters. The results also showed that the most publicized political issues in Nigeria were those favoring government officials. Implications of the study suggest that satisfaction should be addressed to improve the quality of political reporting in Nigeria. It is recommended that media organizations regularly provide training and education to journalists on ethics, professionalism and objectivity. In addition, the government should enforce laws that criminalize gratification, and journalists should be encouraged to report any acts of gratification. This study provides insight into the impact of satisfaction on political journalism in Nigeria. The findings suggest that satisfaction is an important factor influencing the objectivity, professionalism and credibility of political reporting in Nigeria. The implications of this study are expected to help improve the quality of political reporting in Nigeria and increase public confidence in the work of Nigerian journalists.

“Silence is the best answer for a bully”: an exploration of humour techniques in selected Nigerian newspaper political cartoons

Abstract Newspaper political cartoons, known for their satirical nature, employ semiotic and linguistic techniques to comment on or criticise political leaders and events humorously. While previous studies on Nigerian newspaper political cartoons have focused on ideological issues and discourse frames, little attention has been given to the linguistic investigation of semiotic humour techniques in these cartoons. This study, therefore, investigates these humour techniques, utilising Salvatore Attardo and Victor Raskin’s General Theory of Verbal Humour (GTVH) as the framework within a descriptive design. Three newspapers – Punch, The Guardian, and Daily Trust – were purposively selected for their regular publication of cartoons, criticising Nigeria’s politics. Eleven political cartoons were purposively selected for their semiotic and humorous depictions of Nigeria’s politics, and subjected to linguistic analysis. Six semiotic humour techniques were identified in the cartoons: exaggeration, humorous metaphor, distortion of formulaic expressions, neologism, innovative collocation, and sarcasm. These techniques were employed to satirise three governance issues in Nigeria – misgovernance, corruption and insecurity.

Universal Basic Education Implementation Issues in Nigeria: Options of Innovation for Improvement in the Administration of Basic Education System

The paper explored Universal Basic Education, UBE implementation issues in its systemic administration and management of basic schools in Nigeria. On a more specific note, it discusses: the roles of Universal Basic Education at federal and State government levels; beneficiaries of UBE; existing implementation issues of UBE; and other Basic Issues termed unique UBE implementation Programme. All these put together may work against innovative ideas that existed with the UBE programme as stipulated in the Basic Education Act of 2004. The paper concluded and recommended the following among others, the actual statistics of out-of-school children should be obtained and balanced provision of education resources to rehabilitate them should be done by the commission, and UBE teacher’s capacity building boost should be revisited to train many of them to acquire knowledge regarding UBE operations in addition to their existing academic qualifications.

Plastic Sand Bricks as an Alternative Sustainable Building Material: Panacea to Affordable Housing for Low Income in Nigeria

Housing shortages are one of the key issues in Nigeria, low-income earners are disproportionately affected. Themajority of the low cost housing designed for this population is out of reach because of high cost of constructionmaterials, among other things. This study examined bricks made of plastic sand as a substitute for building materials.A questionnaire was used to gather data for the study utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Atotal of 169 questionnaires were systematically disseminated to professionals in the built environment to acquiretheir opinions on the sustainability principles and the idea of plastic sand brick. The information gathered was thenanalyzed using tables and percentages. The study's findings indicate that the majority of respondents 40.5% and16.0%, respectively strongly agree and agree that the material will address Nigeria's housing predicament, while only8.0% and 5.5%, respectively, strongly disagree and disagree. 30% remain neutral. The study recommends, amongother things, that Nigeria's government at all levels establish a domestic technology-driven economy, especially inthe area of alternative building materials like plastic sand bricks.

The Concept of Environmental Justice in the Nigeria Legal System

Environmental justice is a progressively advancing subject, social movement and practice, which requires fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all humans, regardless of sex, age, class, income, race, colour or nationality. Environmental Justice is geared towards the development, management, implementation and enforcement of plans, policies, laws and regulatory practices, towards the protection and management of the environment in the course of socio-economic development programmes, including projects. It also requires equitable distribution of benefits and thus indiscriminate exposure of all to environmental good and harm. It is an advancing social movement that advocates a healthy and eco-balanced environment, towards human’s wellbeing, sustainable communities and all-embracing sustainable development in the overall interest of society within the Planet (Mother Earth). The aim of the study is to examine the effectiveness of environmental Justice in Nigeria, with the view to ascertain if justice is actually done to victims of environmental degradation in Nigeria. The study found that there is need for courts to give wider interpretation to existing relevant fundamental rights to secure a healthy environment. Flowing from the above finding, the study recommends that Section 20 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be amended to recognize the environment as legal personality with the citizens as its trustees. The study has shown that there should be an interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, policymakers, activist and civil society organization, who will work on environmental justice issues in Nigeria in fostering dialogue, sharing best practices and mobilizing collective actions, thereby enabling victims of environmental hazards get justice they deserve.

Challenges and Prospects of the Legal Frameworks for Combatting Climate Change in Nigeria

This paper examined the phenomenon of climate change through a series of legal frameworks to mitigate the effects. Nigeria, being a party to many global conventions against climate change has many domestic policies towards reacting to the phenomenon of climate change. Some of these legal expositions include the Climate Change Act 2021, The National Environmental Standard and Relations Enforcement Agency Act,2007, the National Climate Change Policy, International Measures in Combatting Climate Change etc. However, the implementation of the aforementioned policies has been a great challenge to the Nigerian government and stakeholders amounting to the present devastating effect of the phenomenon in the lives and livelihoods of the people across the world especially the third world countries and Nigeria to be specific. Some of the climate change events manifest in the forms of drought, erosion, changeable rainfall, degradation of land, dirty air etc. giving rise to loss of biodiversity, and intense flooding among others. This study relied on secondary data from newspapers, published research papers, policy documents on climate change and other unpublished literature in reaction to the subject matter. Some of these challenges include ineffective enforcement and implementation of existing legislation, and non-domestication of international climate change treaties amongst others. In light of the existing challenges, the study hopes to motivate Nigerian lawmakers, policymakers and relevant stakeholders towards more proactive legislation in combating climate issues in Nigeria. The study recommended that to enhance access to justice, climate change legislation should adopt a liberal approach to locus standi requirements, and review and revise existing legislations and policies that are relevant to climate change regulation such as environmental laws, energy laws, taxation laws, etc.

Empirical Evidence from Nigeria on Environmental Health and Occupational Safety at Work

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has developed numerous conventions, protocols, and recommendations on minimum labour standards, with the majority relating to occupational safety and health systems (OSH). However, environmental issues like deforestation, desertification, flooding, erosion, oil spills, and air and water pollution, particularly in Nigeria, pose a threat to the health and safety of the many organizations in developing nations. Using a hybrid of research designs such as survey and content analysis and based on the Risk Society Theory and Sense-making Theory, this paper reviews, environmental health and occupational safety at workplaces in Nigeria. This study aims to identify environmental health and occupational safety issues in Nigeria's manufacturing sector, specifically in the iron and steel and aluminium industry, by examining inaccurate data on male and female workers. Using in-depth interviews with a total of 17 participants, the primary data was gathered from managers and senior staff members of chosen firms in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, and Lagos State, Nigeria. These were Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and Alumaco Aluminium Manufacturing Co. of Nigeria Ltd., Ikeja, Nigeria. It discovers a high level of occupational health awareness, insufficient funding for safety intelligence initiatives, and a high frequency of workplace dangers. The study also finds that Nigeria was among the signatories in Africa who failed to comply with this directive. It recommends promoting occupational health services, training doctors to recognize work-related diseases, and complying with the ILO's Convention 155. The article also suggests updating laws, conducting education campaigns, investing in training, and holding employers accountable for non-compliance

Evidence from temperature analog for traditional and economic cities in Nigeria: implications for sustainable city-related actions

Responding to the threats of climate change by cities requires taking relevant actions that will communicate future conditions in reliable and effective manner for sustainable and transformational climate actions. We used the analog approach to assess the geographical shifts and changes in average temperature conditions for six traditional and economic cities under different climate scenarios (Mitigated and Unmitigated scenarios). We calculated the similarity in temperature between each pixel for the current (2021–2050) and future (2041–2070) conditions of the cities, with every pixel globally in the historical (1971–200) period. Our analysis revealed that; (1) the temperature of the cities in the current and future periods will be similar to conditions of another place on the globe during the historical period; (2) Kano city will experience even more drastic changes because of the low level of similarity to other places; (3) the new places found with similar temperature conditions are generally to the south of the corresponding cities thus indicating warming. The overall results show that the analogues of the cities are within the domain of the global tropical zone which occurs around the equator. Drawing from the interaction between cities and their analogues, we highlighted sustainable city related actions such as the incorporation of urban designs and policies to enhance human thermal comfort as adaptation and solution strategies. While future research might apply qualitative studies and additional data to support the analog results, our findings can guide the understanding and application of the analog approach into environmental issues in Nigeria and other West African countries in accordance to sustainable city goals (SDG 11).

Students’ Perception of The Effectiveness of Mass Media Campaigns on Mental Health Awareness in Nigeria: A Study of Auchi Polytechnic Students

Mental health challenge remains a stigmatized and under-addressed issue in Nigeria, contributing to significant societal challenge. Mass media campaigns have emerged as potential tools to raise awareness and combat the stigma. However, little research explores the effectiveness of these campaigns from the perspective of students. It is in the light of the above that this study examines students’ perception of the effectiveness of mass media campaigns on mental health awareness in Nigeria. The researchers embarked on this study with the intent of achieving four objectives and, based on the objectives of this study, four research questions were formulated to serve as a guide for this study. This study is hinged on the rational model theory. The researchers adopted the survey research design, and data were collected through the use of questionnaires. Findings from this study reveal that the majority of the respondents (31%) rated their level of awareness of mental health issues as very high as a result of their exposure to mass media campaigns on the subject. The study also reveals that the majority of the respondents (30%) noted that one of the impacts of mass media campaigns on the attitudes of students towards seeking help for mental concerns is that these campaigns have increased help-seeking behaviour among students. This study therefore concludes that mass media campaigns have proven to be effective in addressing mental health issues in Nigeria by raising awareness, promoting understanding, and reducing stigma. They have successfully disseminated information, encouraged help-seeking behavior, and fostered conversations about mental health. This study, among other things, recommends that producers of media messages should recognize the cultural and regional diversity within Nigeria and tailor mass media campaigns accordingly. Mental health issues may be perceived and addressed differently across various communities; therefore, the producers of media messages should produce campaigns that resonate with different cultural backgrounds, languages, and social norms to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness.

The Effect of Foreign Aid on Health Outcomes in Nigeria: A Case Study of Lagos State Teaching Hospital

The paper examined the effect of foreign aid on health outcomes in the Lagos State Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to uncover the actual effect of foreign aid inflows on health outcomes in Nigeria. The paper employed a quantitative research methodology which explored secondary resources from WHO publications, journals and thesis on foreign aids and their contribution to health outcomes in developing countries especially Nigeria, and other official reports, and statistical bulletins. Qualitative methodology was also applied in this research. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered within the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, with a sample population of 50 healthcare personnel. The qualitative methodology was adopted to give a holistic view of the research study based on the concepts of the literature review, and to fully understand the situation of the topic under study in the country. One of the situation which the paper found out, is that Nigeria have received substantial amount of foreign aid and yet these amount of foreign aid is still considered to be low given the huge healthcare issues in Nigeria. The paper also revealed that, the foreign aid received through the Government in the country have been largely ineffective in addressing the health issues of Nigeria. This could be as a result of the lack of balance between the health challenges in Nigeria and the rate at which these aids are used to fund it. Lack of appropriate policies on disbursement rate of foreign aids to various health cases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and others, could be the case for the perception of how low foreign aids are to the issues of healthcare. This is, without the articulation of the corruption laced on handling of foreign aids in Nigeria. The paper finally revealed foreign aid has a positive impact on the Nigeria health outcomes especially in the area of maternal health, but grossly ineffective in other areas. The study recommended that, the Nigeria government should ensure that foreign aid meant for the health sector is not diverted to other sectors and that; foreign aid dedicated to the health sector should be used judiciously

Assessment of Nigeria’s External Image: The Buhari Administration Under Review

This paper examined contending issues in Nigeria’s external image management under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Some of these issues have presented daunting challenges which have negatively undermined the capacity of the Nigerian state to meet the lofty aspirations of her citizens in the areas of security, unemployment and rising cost of goods and services to mention a few. This study is focused on dissecting these contending domestic challenges with a view to recommending actionable steps to forge a visible, robust and progressive posture in the international arena. This is core to Nigeria’s national interest and foreign policy objectives as the debilitating effect of near gloomy and not-too positive image some of these lingering domestic challenges portend for the country cannot be left to rhetorically hang like sword of the Damocles over the country. The study discovered that the reticent nature of the Muhammadu Buhari administration since its advent administration in 2015, partly explains the escalation of some domestic challenges and subsequently snowballing into international miasma over the country’s image. The study recommends increased budgetary allocation to Nigeria’s foreign missions with special emphasis on those with high volume of immigrant traffic and economic ties. The Diaspora Commission should be retooled to immediately provide legal representation to Nigerians suffering from minor human right violations before it becomes full blown diplomatic rows.

Antibacterial activity of five selected ethno-medicinal plants against extreme multi-drug resistance strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Emergence of multidrug resistance strains of different kinds of virulent pathogens to various antibiotics worldwide had become one of the most concerning public health issues in Nigeria. This research is aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity of five selected ethno-medicinal plants against multi-drug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Ficus sycomorus, Vitex doniana, Jatropha curcas, Acacia nilotica and Prosopis africana leafs were extracted using chloroform, to get the crude extracts of the various plants material. Exactly 150 clinical and environmental samples each, was collected for the isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus each. The antibiogram profile and resistance level of the isolated strains was ascertained using the standard disc diffusion bioassay. Multi-drug resistance genes; BLA-TEM, BLA-SHV and CTX-M presence were evaluated and also served as another form of selection protocol for extremely resistant strains of the selected pathogenic bacterial species. In-vitro and in-vivo bioassay was done to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the plants extracts on the most resistant strains of the two pathogenic bacteria. Tannins, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, quinones, phytosterols and phlobatanins were found present in these plants extracts. Eleven Pseudomonas aeruginosa and four Staphylococcus aureus extreme multi-drug resistance strains were successfully isolated and identified. The in-vitro bioassay reveals that F. sycomorus and J. curcas extracts has the highest antimicrobial activity against the various multi-drug resistant strains, while A. nilotica extract also maintains some level of activity against the resistant strains. The in-vivo bioassay reconfirmed the antibacterial effects of the three most active plants mentioned above, against all the resistant bacteria. Decoction of the three most active plants extracts also proves effective on the resistant strains of both bacteria, than the individual extracts. F. sycomorus, J. curcas and A. nilotica plant extracts could provide an alternative active pharmaceutical agents against multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Mass Media Campaigns in Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria

Environmental sustainability is a critical global concern, and Nigeria, as a populous and ecologically diverse nation, faces numerous environmental challenges such as deforestation, pollution and inadequate waste management. In recent years, mass media campaigns have emerged as powerful tools to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among Nigerians. It is in the light of this that this study assessed the effectiveness of mass media campaigns in promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The researchers embarked on this study with the intent of achieving four objectives, and based on the objectives of this study, four research questions were formulated to serve as a guide for this study. The researchers anchored this study on the Two –Step Flow Theory. Survey was adopted as the most suitable research design for this study, and data were collected through the use of questionnaire. Findings from this study show that mass media campaigns have had a significant impact on increasing public awareness of environmental issues in Nigeria. These campaigns have successfully communicated the urgency of protecting the environment and the consequences of unsustainable practices. Moreover, they have motivated citizens to take action, with many respondents reporting changes in their behaviour such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting environmental initiatives. This study concludes by emphasizing the importance of continued investment in mass media campaigns for environmental sustainability in Nigeria. This study recommends tailoring campaigns to local context, leveraging new media platforms, and enhancing collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector to create a holistic and impactful approach to environmental education and advocacy.

Effect of Tax Evasion and Avoidance on Economic Development of Grassroots in Nigeria

This study investigates the impact of tax evasion and avoidance on the economic development of grassroots communities in Nigeria. Taxation is a fundamental component of public finance and is instrumental in supporting socio-economic development. However, the extent to which tax evasion and avoidance affect the economic well-being of grassroots communities has received limited attention in the literature. The study adopted descriptive research method technique. The findings from this research reveal the multifaceted nature of this relationship. Tax evasion is shown to reduce government revenue, exacerbate income inequality, and undermine governance, all of which have adverse effects on the economic development of grassroots communities. Conversely, the impact of tax avoidance is more complex, as it can stimulate investments but also erode government revenue when practiced excessively. It was therefore, recommended the importance of addressing tax evasion and avoidance issues in Nigeria, especially concerning grassroots economic development. It emphasizes the need for more effective tax policies and enforcement mechanisms that promote compliance while encouraging legitimate investment.