Lagos Metropolis Research Articles

Isolation of Pathogenic Cronobacter Species as Bacteriological Risks Indicator in Powdered Infant Formula Available to Deprived Infants in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.

Powdered infant formula (PIF) is rich in nutrients that support the survival and growth of bacteria that trigger food safety disorders in deprived infants through life-threatening illnesses. The study aims to examine and identify the incidence of pathogenic bacteria of concern in PIF upon reconstitution in lukewarm water. A total of 172 samples consisting of 38 brands of PIF available in the Lagos metropolis were sampled, suspended in water (10g in 100mL), and bacteria strains were isolated using combinational enrichment and selective culture techniques. Pure bacterial strains were characterized and identified based on their physiology and 16S rRNA gene sequence homology. While 85 bacterial strains were isolated from the enriched culture system, 20 strains were selectively isolated based on tolerance to sodium deoxycholate. Approximately 13% of the selected bacteria were identified as Cronobacter spp., exhibiting virulence traits including extracellular protease production, coagulation and proteolysis of casein, haem-agglutination, and β-haemolysis of human blood. Approximately 82% of the Cronobacter strains tolerated NaCl (10%) and bile salt; and exhibited resistance to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid antibiotics. The presence of Cronobacter spp. in 13% of the PIF brands available to infants calls for concern about the safety of deprived infants that might be fed with such PIF. Consequently, PIF safety alerts need to be activate while further studies on critical points at which the pathogens get introduced to the PIFs need to be identified.

The abundance and distributional (in)equalities of forageable street tree resources in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

AbstractForaging for wild resources links urban citizens to nature and biodiversity while providing resources important for local livelihoods and culture. However, the abundance and distributional (in)equity of forageable urban tree resources have rarely been examined. Consequently, this study assessed the abundance of forageable street trees and their distribution in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. During a survey of 32 randomly selected wards across 16 local government areas (LGAs) in the metropolis, 4017 street trees from 46 species were enumerated. The LGA with the highest number of street trees was Ikeja, with 818 trees, while Lagos Island had the lowest count, with two trees. This disparity in tree numbers could be attributed to variations in human population density within each LGA. Ninety‐four percent of the street trees surveyed had at least one documented use and 76% had two, making them potentially forageable. However, the most common species had relatively low forageability scores. Only 5.6% of the total street tree population was rated as highly forageable, with a usability score of at least 11 out of 15. The most forageable street trees were fruit trees and non‐native species. The forageable street trees in the LGAs showed a significant disparity in their distribution, as evidenced by a Gini coefficient of 0.81. Overall, richer neighborhoods had a higher street tree abundance, richness, and forageability potential. To meet greening and foraging goals and address the current inequitable distribution, we suggest allocating more funds for greening, particularly in low‐income neighborhoods. Further research should evaluate forageable species from other sites to acquire a detailed understanding of the distribution and abundance of forageable resources in Lagos metropolis.

Rethinking Transportation Mobility and Social Equity Policy in Lagos Metropolis

Rethinking Transportation Mobility and Social Equity Policy in Lagos Metropolis

Communication and Married Couples in Lagos Metropolis

Communication and Married Couples in Lagos Metropolis

Assessment of the Pollution Levels, Sources, and Exposure Risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Urban Park Dusts within Lagos Metropolis

ABSTRACTPolychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) represent organic contaminants that are persistent hazardous, carcinogenic, and genotoxic, thereby endangering both human well‐being and the ecosystem. This research delved into concentration patterns, sources, and health hazards associated with PCBs in dust collected from vehicle parks in Lagos metropolis. PCBs in samples of Lagos park dust extended from 1.00 to 36.80 ng/g, with PCB 18 exhibiting the highest mean concentration of 17.02 ng/g. Among the 12 PCBs studied, 5 Cl atom PCBs contributed the highest percentage, constituting 30% of the total PCB content in Lagos park dust. Dioxin‐like PCBs (DLPCBs) made up 27% of the overall PCBs composition in the dust. Using the positive matrix factorization method, eight sources of PCBs were identified, with biomass combustion contributing the highest proportion at 42% of the total PCB emissions. Health risk estimates revealed that the magnitude of PCBs exposure in human followed the order: ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. PCBs exposure through ingestion in children was 9.33 times higher than that of adults, potentially attributed to the inadvertent intake of dust particles by children via hand‐to‐mouth contact. Cancer risk assessments for all PCB congeners remained below 10−6, indicating acceptable risk levels. PCB 18 had the highest cancer risk values, reaching 8.69 × 10−9 for children and 1.19 × 10−9 for adults.

Deployment of Security Management Technologies in the Hospitality Industry in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

This study examined the technologies being deployed for security management in selected hotels in the Lagos metropolis and investigated factors influencing the deployment of the technologies. It also assessed the effectiveness of the security technologies in the hospitality industry with a view to improving the standard of hotel security management in the metropolis. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to select fifty (50) hotels in Lagos state that were registered with the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Abuja. Three classes of hotels namely; 3-, 4-, and 5-Star were purposively selected. Data were collected through the administration of fifty (50) copies of questionnaire to the security managers, general managers, personnel managers, and other staff of the hotels. The questionnaire elicited information on the types of security technologies used, factors influencing the deployment of the devices and effectiveness of the technologies on quality of service. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that Close Circuit Television (CCTV) (100%), access pass for cars (92.9%), badges (81.0%) and lightings (97.6%) were the most used security technologies in the hotels. The study also showed that across the three classes of hotels considered, (3-, 4- and 5-Star hotels), most of the respondents considered training (4, 4.0 and 4.2), level of knowledge and expertise (4.3,4.7 and 4.0), user acceptance (4.0, 3.7 and 4) benefit consideration (4.1, 3.7 and 4.0) and location of the hotel (3.7, 3.5 and 4.6) respectively as factors that influenced deployment of security technologies on a five-point Likert scale. In addition, the result showed positive and significant relationships between quality of service and size of hotel (r=0.385, p<0.05), and among variables such as cost benefit consideration (r=0.330, p<0.05), coverage area (r=0.420, p<0.05), cost of maintenance (r= 0.335, p<0.05), user acceptance (r=0.317, p<0.05) and customers’ attitude toward the device (r=-0.437, p<0.05). Finally, the result showed that quality of service achieved through the deployment of security technology had significant effect by increasing efficiency (β=0.947), reliability (β=1.359) and improved security (β=1.058) The study concluded that security technologies deployed by the hotels were effective as it increased efficiency, improved security, and reliability.

Artificial Intelligence and Operational Efficiency of Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria

This paper examines the effect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the operational efficiency of deposit money banks in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study identified the types of AI technologies that are used by banks and examined the impact of the different types of technologies on the operational efficiency of five deposit money banks, namely: First Bank of Nigeria, United Bank of Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, and Zenith Bank, all public liability companies with headquarters located in the Lagos metropolis. The study adopted a survey research design. Copies of the questionnaire were administered to 450 regular employees selected randomly from the five banks. The study revealed that deep learning (β = 0.400, t = 5.445, p<0.05); Automation (β = 0.202, t = 2.143, p<0.05) and fraud detection (β = 0.460, t = 7.095, p<0.05) had positive and significant effects on the operational efficiency of the selected deposit money banks, while chatbots had a positive but insignificant effect. The study concluded that artificial intelligence significantly contributed to the operational efficiency of the selected deposit money banks in Nigeria. The authors recommend that deposit money banks should effectively make use of artificial intelligence, especially deep learning, automation, and fraud detection, to improve organizational efficiency

Intercultural Communication as a Veritable Tool for Church Growth and Management in Lagos Metropolis

The reality of pluralism or multiculturalism of the church is evident from generation to generation since the inception of the church. In Lagos metropolis, the existence of diverse cultural and religious belief systems make intercultural communication a necessary skill for church growth and management. In view of this, the study investigated the level of awareness of intercultural communication and its relevance for church growth and management in Lagos metropolis. The framework for this study is premised on communication accommodation and cultural fusion theories. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design method while questionnaire was used as the instrument to gather relevant data from two hundred and ten respondents (210) selected amongst leaders and members of Baptist churches in Lagos metropolis. Baptist is one of the dominant denominations in Lagos. The study discovered that there is a high level of awareness of intercultural communication skill among members and leaders of the selected churches, but there is the challenge of language and cultural superiority among the respondents. This is capable of hindering church growth and management. Therefore, the study recommends that language and cultural superiority should be prevented in the church. More so, the church leaders and members need to undergo constant training on intercultural communication skills. The church needs to create intercultural functional management and administrative structure for equity and oneness among people of diverse cultures in the church.

Outsourcing Accounting Functions and the Quality of Financial Reporting for SMEs in Lagos State

This study delves into the outsourcing of accounting functions and its impact on the quality of financial reporting of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study used a survey research design, and a questionnaire was adopted as a research instrument to elicit information from SMEs located within the Lagos metropolis. The population of the study consisted of 300 registered SMEs in Lagos State as of December 2022. Among them, 268 were located within the Lagos metropolitan area, representing the core focus of the study, while the remaining 32 were situated outside the metro region. Simple percentages were adopted to analyse the respondents' responses, while linear regression statistics were used to test the hypotheses formulated. The study found that there is a significant effect of outsourcing bookkeeping services on the financial reporting quality of SMEs in Lagos State; there is a substantial effect of outsourcing internal audit services on the financial reporting quality of SMEs in Lagos State; and also that there is a significant effect of outsourcing tax reporting services on the financial reporting quality of SMEs in Lagos state. The study concludes businesses should focus on their core competencies and entrust accounting preparation to professional accountants. As companies expand, outsourcing should be viewed as optimising productivity and business performance. The study recommended establishing a regulatory framework by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to facilitate professional accountants' outsourcing of accounting functions and financial services, thus enhancing public confidence. SMEs are encouraged to embrace outsourcing of accounting functions to mitigate excessive costs and streamline operations, ultimately contributing to cost savings and efficiency improvements.

THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PECULIARITIES ON TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PERFORMANCE IN LAGOS METROPOLIS, NIGERIA: RESIDENTS' EXPERIENCES

Efficient transportation infrastructure is pivotal for the seamless functioning of global cities, with coastal cities facing unique challenges due to environmental peculiarities. This study delves into how Lagos' environmental peculiarities impact transportation infrastructure performance, shedding light on both positive and negative implications. A comprehensive survey involving 1284 residents within Lagos Metropolis was conducted using multistage sampling techniques. A combination of descriptive (percentage and mean-weighted analysis) and inferential (Fisher’s exact test and Phi Cramer's V Test) statistics was adopted for data analysis. Major findings revealed that the environmental peculiarities in Lagos foster the use of multimodal infrastructure options and concurrently exert adverse effects on various facets of transportation infrastructure performance, including travel cost, commuting time, fare charges, wear and tear of infrastructure, and the overall cost of maintenance and repairs. The results of the Fisher’s exact test underscore the undeniable impact of Lagos' environmental peculiarities on transportation infrastructure performance (p = 0.000 < 0.05). This study concludes that high water tables, as a representative environmental peculiarity, substantially influence transportation infrastructure performance, shaping the mobility needs of residents. In light of these findings, the study advocates for the full implementation of sustainable infrastructure solutions. Recommendations include establishing robust drainage systems, incorporating corrosion-resistant materials, and adopting innovative technologies to mitigate the repercussions of rising sea levels on critical transportation infrastructure, enhancing its resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Incidence and Antepartum Risk Factors of Severe Postpartum Haemorrhage in Anaemic Pregnant Women in Lagos, Nigeria: A Secondary Cohort Analysis.

The magnitude and risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have been extensively investigated, although little is currently known about the incidence and predictors of severe PPH, specifically among women affected by prenatal anaemia in Nigeria. The study determined the incidence and antepartum risk factors of severe PPH in anaemic pregnant women in five health institutions in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. A secondary analysis was performed using the data of pregnant women with anaemia from the "Predict-PPH" study that was conducted between January and June 2023. This study included n=570 pregnant women affected by anaemia who gave birth in five hospitals in the Lagos metropolis of Nigeria. The study outcome was severe PPH, defined as an estimated blood loss of at least 1000 mL within 24 hours of childbirth. A backward stepwise conditional approach in a multivariable logistic regression model was utilised to identify the independent risk factors for severe PPH in anaemic pregnant women. Of the 570 women with prenatal anaemia enrolled in the primary study, 42 (7.4%) had severe PPH. The identified independent risk factors for severe PPH were maternal obesity (adjusted OR = 3.85, 95% CI = 1.85-8.02), antepartum haemorrhage in index pregnancy (adjusted OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.29-6.90), uterine fibroids (adjusted OR = 6.10, 95% CI = 2.39-15.52), delivery gestational age ≥39 weeks (adjusted OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.23-5.56), and delivery by caesarean birth (adjusted OR = 16.75, 95% CI = 5.81-48.31). About one in 13 anaemic pregnant women enrolled in the study developed severe PPH during childbirth. Maternal obesity, antepartum bleeding in the current pregnancy, co-existing uterine fibroids in pregnancy, delivery gestational age beyond 38 weeks, and caesarean birth in the current pregnancy were factors that were significantly associated with severe PPH in anaemic pregnant women. These findings underscore the importance of increased vigilance during both the antenatal and peripartum periods to identify women with these risk factors for the initiation of timely interventions to prevent severe PPH.

Beyond Community Health Service Provision: Assessing the Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Eye Care among Beneficiaries of an Intervention in an Inner-City Community in Lagos Metropolis

Background: A higher burden of preventable visual impairment has been reported in regions with poor knowledge of eye care, non-availability of or poor uptake of available screening services. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices as well as factors associated with eyecare among the residents of an inner-city community in Lagos, Nigeria.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study using simple random sampling technique to select 254 consenting participants from a community on Lagos Island. Data was collected electronically using Microsoft office forms and analyzed with SPSS version 23. Frequencies, proportions and tables were used for descriptive analysis. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done to identify predictors of the outcome variables.
 Results: More of the respondents (52.4% and 61.4%) were middle-aged and female respectively with a mean age of 49.7±16.6 years. About 61.0% of them use prescription eyeglasses, 69.3% had a good knowledge of the importance of routine eye checks. Good attitude and practice of eye care were reported among 78.7% and 68.5% respectively. Respondents with a tertiary level of education were more likely to have a good attitude (OR=2.8; 95% CI=1.115-7.120) and good practice OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.207-5.869) versus lower educational levels.
 Conclusion: This study revealed that efforts to increase access to education, particularly in low-income areas, can contribute to improved attitudes and practices related to eye health care. Addressing gaps in knowledge and promoting regular eye check-ups were seen to be essential steps toward achieving better eye health outcomes in Nigeria and similar settings.

COVID–19 Impacts: Government Interventions and Residential Housing Prices in Lagos Metropolis

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had profound impact on global economies. Various studies have focused on the impact of COVID-19 interventions on the financial market such as stocks markets, but few studies examined government interventions influence on housing market, particularly the housing price. This paper explores the influence of the government interventions during COVID-19 on housing prices in the residential areas of Lagos Metropolis in Nigeria. The aim is to understand whether price variations can be attributed to the epidemic shocks, by employing a review of literature on government interventions for COVID 19 pandemic and housing prices (2009 & 2015) before the pandemic and 2020 Lagos Property Market Consensus Report during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics were deployed in the application of difference-in-difference method for data analysis. The findings revealed that a lesser percentage of housing price increase was associated with the decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases and less partiallockdown measures. While a higher percentage housing price increase was associated with an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases along with more stringent full lockdown measures. The study concluded that housing price change was influenced by government interventions during COVID-19 pandemic in the Lagos Metropolis. The study recommends that to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections in order to ensure a lesser percentage increase in housing price, spacious and more affordable housing units should be encouraged. Therefore, the effectiveness of lockdown and restriction measures should be further assessed, given their impacts on individual liberties and housing affordability.

The impact of waste generated from automobile workshops on soils in Lagos Metropolis, South-Western Nigeria

The impact of waste generated from automobile workshops on soils in Lagos Metropolis, South-Western Nigeria

Molecular characterisation and phylogeny of two nematode parasites recovered from the amphibian host Schlerophrys regularis sampled in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Research on amphibian parasites has been on the increase because of the noticeable decline of amphibians. Studies on these parasites have been limited to their prevalence and infection patterns, and there is still a dearth of knowledge on the phenotypic variations. To characterise and investigate the genetic variability and relatedness of amphibian nematode parasites, two nematode parasites–suspected Cosmocerca sp. and suspected Rhabdias sp.–of the toad Schlerophrys regularis were investigated. One hundred and sixty-eight S. regularis were collected from three study areas: Ikorodu, Ojota and Badagry. Intestines were dissected to obtain the enteric parasites, and lungs were washed in saline solution. Parasites were labelled according to the location of collection (Badagry 5A-5I, Ikorodu 5J–5O, Ojota 5P and 5S) and were then preserved for further identification. Eighteen parasites were identified morphologically using standard keys and by amplification of the 18S small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA sequence. Phylogenetic analysis was done using the Neighbour-Joining method. From the sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis, the suspected Cosmocerca sp. shared the closest genetic relatedness with Aplectana chamaeleonis isolate AC3 with 100% similarities while the suspected Rhabdias sp. shared the closest genetic relatedness with Rhabditoides regina isolate DF5012 with 100% similarities. Based on location, four Aplectana chamaeleonis (5E, 5F, 5G, 5H) and five Rhabditoides regina (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5I) were from Badagry, four Aplectana chamaeleonis (5J, 5M, 5N, 5O) and two Rhabditoides regina (5K, 5L) from Ikorodu, one Aplectana chamaeleonis (5S) and two Rhabditoides regina (5P, 5Q) from Ojota. We report that Rhabditoides regina, a parasite known to be associated with insects, was recovered in the lungs of toads. Further investigations to resolve the complexities of superfamily Cosmocercoidea are recommended. Relatedness was not influenced by collection location as parasites were not unique to a specific environment.

Knowledge and Perceptions of the Billing’s Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning among Married Women in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Based on existing literature, it was observed that modern contraceptives are the most widely used family planning methods in Nigeria, and that they have serious side effects for their users. Despite these effects, women of reproductive age have made little or no effort to embrace Billing’s ovulation as an alternative family planning method. In order to better understand the dynamics surrounding the adoption of Billing’s ovulation method, this study examined the knowledge, perceived effectiveness, and spousal attitude toward the use of Billing’s ovulation as a method of natural family planning among married women in Lagos metropolis. Method: To accomplish this, a pure qualitative methodological approach was used, with in-depth interviews (IDI) used to collect qualitative data from (20) married women. Manual content analysis was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Findings showed that; high level of knowledge and awareness of BOM, positive perceptions of its efficacy, and a favorable spousal attitude toward BOM are indicators of the rate at which married women in Lagos metropolis use the Billing’s ovulation method as their preferred family planning alternative. Conclusion: The study then recommends that a rigorous sensitization program based on door-to-door intervention be launched to educate married women in Lagos metropolis on the need for Natural family planning as an alternative family planning method, particularly BOM, while teaching them the procedures and techniques in order to increase people’s access to natural family planning.

Geospatial Assessment of Flood Vulnerability Areas in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Geospatial Assessment of Flood Vulnerability Areas in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Isolation, characterization, prevalence, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enterococcu species in fast food outlets in Lagos metropolis

Isolation, characterization, prevalence, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Enterococcu species in fast food outlets in Lagos metropolis

The Impact of Property Crime on Public Infrastructure Development in the Nigerian Cities

Property crime in Nigeria incurs billions of Naira in annual rehabilitation costs, significantly straining government budgets and hindering resource allocation for sustainable urban development. This study investigates how public infrastructure development in Nigerian citiesis impacted by property crime focusing on the Lagos metropolis. Utilising both primary and secondary data, including in-depth interviews with five building industry professionals and government records analysis.The research adopts parallel data analysis to assess the financial impact of property crime, its relationship with environmental decay, economic losses, social consequences, and its effect on project delivery timelines. It exemplifies the use of triangulation as a methodological metaphor for drawing inferences from qualitative and quantitative findings. The findings demonstrate that property crime severely hampers public infrastructure development, resulting in increased government expenditure, environmental degradation, economic setbacks, public suffering, and delays in project completion. The study underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate property crime and ensure sustainable infrastructure development. Effective measures, including enhanced security partnerships and community engagement, are crucial for protecting public assets and informing policymakers in the development of effective policies for managing and maintaining the nation’s public infrastructure.

Workforce Diversity, Organisational Culture and Performance of Some Selected Multinational Food and Beverage Companies in Lagos Metropolis

The disruptions in the global economy introduced by covid-19 pandemic have foisted on organizational management the adoption of policies and initiatives of managing their diverse work groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Workforce Diversity Dimensions (WFDDs) of sex, age and educational attainment on organisational performance (OP) and also the mediating effect of organisational cultural values (achievement values, employee involvement and equity) on the relationship between WFDDs and OP. Descriptive survey design was employed and a sample 464 respondents were drawn using Yemane (1967) method from among 3,280 employees of four selected Multi-National Companies (MNC(s)) in the Food and Beverage sub-sector of manufacturing companies operating in Lagos Metropolis. Data collected were analysed using both simple and multiple hierarchical regression statistical analysis. Results obtained of hypothesis One revealed that work force diversity dimensions (WFDDs) insignificantly influenced organizational performance (OP) with coefficient of determination at R2 = 0.0003. When the interaction term organizational cultural values were added to the regression model (MODEL 2), there was a significant increase in organizational performance of 16.3% (Δ R2 =0.163, p = 0.000) because R2 increased from 0.003 to 0.166. This result shows that organizational cultural values have enhancing effect on the relationship between workforce diversity dimensions on organizational performance. The study concluded that there should be a shift from that assumption suggesting direct positive effect of workforce diversity on performance. Rather, the context of the organisation in terms of the cultural values it emplaces will have any of the positive or negative consequences on the organisation performance. It is also suggested that leadership role and organisational business strategies can be investigated for their mediating contribution on the relationship between WFD and OP as further studies.