Nigerian Undergraduate Students Research Articles

Physical Activity of Undergraduate Students in Medicine and Physiotherapy Programmes in a Nigerian Medical University

Background: There appears to be dearth of empirical data to ascertain the physical activity level of Nigerian undergraduate students, especially among medical students. Hence, there would be need to investigate the physical activity level of students in a Nigeria university community. Aim: The aims of the study were to assess and compare the physical activity of undergraduate students studying Medicine and Physiotherapy. Methods: Two hundred and sixteen undergraduate students studying Medicine and Physiotherapy were recruited using Stratified sampling technique. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was administered to each student and the data generated was used to compute the Physical activity scores of each participant. Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics of ANOVA and Independent t-test (student) were used to compare physical activity of the students. Results: The results obtained from this study showed skewness in the mean Physical Activity of students at different studying levels due to some that are physically hyperactive. There was no significant difference in the overall Physical Activity of students studying medicine and physiotherapy. However, there were significant differences in the vigorous physical activity of the students (F= 2.54, p = 0.04). The mean vigorous physical activity of 500 level students studying physiotherapy was significantly higher than that of the 400 level students studying in both programmes (p=0.003 and p = 0.032 respectively). There were no significant differences between in the vigorous activity of the final year students in physiotherapy and medicines; and between male and female, although, the sitting PA of female undergraduate students was significantly higher that of male. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the total physical activity of students studying medicine and physiotherapy. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the physical activity of male and female students, excluding that of sitting component of physical activity score which was higher for the later.

Mentoring Perceptions and Experiences among Nigerian Undergraduate Dental Students

Introduction: Mentoring among undergraduate dental students in Nigeria has never been evaluated, despite being well reported, to improve academic performance and learning process globally. This study assessed perceptions and experiences of Nigerian undergraduate dental students to mentoring.
 Materials and Methods: A sample of 382 students was recruited across all the thirteen Nigerian dental faculties. A self-administered online questionnaire prepared on google form was sent to the students for completion. The completed forms were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive and analytical statistics were applied, and set the statistical significant level at P<0.05.
 Results: The students showed a very good knowledge of mentoring (99.0%) and an adequate understanding of the role of a mentor (67.3%). Many students had experienced mentoring prior to their dental training; mainly from religious institutions (60.0%). The majority (96.1%) of the students would have preferred to be mentored at the start of their training; however, only 21.2% had assigned mentors. More than half (57.6%) of the students would have preferred to choose their mentor, and the majority (43.2%) were indifferent about gender preference of a mentor. About two-thirds of the students perceived career development as the most important reason for mentoring. The benefits of mentoring were ranked very highly, especially among the female students. Gender was the only predictor for successful mentoring (P< 0.05).
 Conclusions: Dental students reported low faculty mentoring. Career development was perceived as the most important factor in mentoring. Students recommended that mentoring should be incorporated into the dental curriculum right from the commencement of their training. 
 
 Keywords: mentoring, perceptions, experiences, dental students, Nigerian undergraduates

The Effectiveness of Hybrid Learning in English Pronunciation Pedagogy in the Nigerian ESL Context

This paper is a study on the effectiveness of hybrid learning; a blend of traditional and technology-based training, vis-à-vis the second language (L2) learner of English pronunciation. Specifically, our motivation is centred on the functionality of combining the habitual classroom teaching style with the Telegram app (a mobile-based technological tool) for studies relating to speech production and perception. The methodical procedure and design for this study is both quantitative and descriptive; employing the use of a multiple-choice questionnaire in data collection from 401 Nigerian undergraduate and postgraduate students in the University of Benin, Nigeria, to ascertain the effectiveness of digital designs and stratagems. Pie charts are employed to display multiple divisions of the study's data comparison. This study emphasizes the Online-Driver Blended Learning Model; such a pedagogical approach exposes the L2 learner to a more involved and effective way of understanding how to avoid imposing an unfamiliar accent upon the target language. Consequently, we see a merger of online practical exercises and exposure to uploaded multimodal texts and native speakers' spoken data (audio-visual recordings/voice notes) with scheduled direct classroom interludes. Findings confirm that exploiting such a hybrid model enhances students' cognitive abilities and retentive capacity regarding English pronunciation. Such digital audio-visual tools are paramount phonetic strategies for learning how to avoid unacceptable phonetic alterations. Thus, we see the effectiveness of integrating the Telegram app into the traditional brick-and-mortar educational method in handling problems associated with speech sound production and second-language phonological interference.

Can physical activity attenuate the impact of internet addiction on anxiety in young adults? A moderation analysis

BackgroundThe potential moderators of the nexus between internet addiction (IA) and symptoms of anxiety are less understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the moderating roles of physical activity (PA) and gender in the association between IA and anxiety. MethodsA cross-sectional study of 510 Nigerian undergraduate students was carried out. IA, anxiety, and PA levels (low, moderate, and high) were assessed using Internet Addiction Test, anxiety sub-scale of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Plus Nutrition, respectively. Moderation analysis was applied while controlling for important covariates. ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 21.33 ± 2.63 years. The prevalence of IA and anxiety was 57.6 % and 52.6 %. IA was positively associated with anxiety (b=0.307, 95 % CI: 0.2168-0.3982, t (498) =6.660, p < 0.001). PA level, but not gender seem to moderate the association between IA and anxiety (F (2, 498) =3.561, p=0.029, R2 change =0.011). Moreover, interaction between PA and gender indicated that the moderating effect of PA was less pronounced among females compared with males (F (3, 498) =2.895, p=0.035, R2 change =0.014). ConclusionsPA can attenuate the deleterious nexus between IA and anxiety in young adults. The attenuation of PA in IA-anxiety nexus is weaker among female young adults compared with male counterparts. PA is a viable low-cost intervention strategy in combating the effect of IA on symptoms of anxiety among young adults. Further longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms among IA, anxiety symptoms, PA, and gender.

The Moderating Role of Family Functioning in the Relationship between Dark Triad Personality and Cyberbullying among Undergraduates

The emergence of modern technology has increased negative vices such as cyberbullying. This form of aggression has increased in intensity among the youths. However, ways of ameliorating this menace to curtail its debilitating effects have not been fully explored. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the moderating role of family functioning in the relationship between dark triad personality and cyberbullying among undergraduates. The participants were five hundred and sixty-five (565) undergraduate students between the ages of 18 and 30 (Mean age 21.99; SD = 2.82) drawn through purposive sampling from a sample of Nigerian undergraduate students. Self-report measures of the 27-item Short Dark Triad Questionnaire (SD3), Cyber Victim and Bullying Scale (CVBS), and Family APGAR Scale were used for data collection. The hypotheses were tested using the Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS version 3.00. The results showed that dark triad personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) were positively associated with cyberbullying among undergraduate students. Family functioning is negatively associated with cyberbullying. In addition, family functioning moderated the relationship between dark triad personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) and cyberbullying among undergraduate students. The study revealed that dysfunctional family functioning increased the extent to which students engage in cyberbullying in the presence of a dark triad personality (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy).

Empowering Minds: Exploring the Library's Influence on Peer Pressure among Nigerian Undergraduates

This study explores the role of academic libraries in shaping peer pressure among Nigerian undergraduate students. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Of the 537 students surveyed, the findings reveal that male students are more likely than female students to feel pressured to engage in negative behaviors like dressing inappropriately, engaging in sexual activity, and gambling. However, libraries can mitigate this by providing online books, while physical books and library personnel can influence positive peer pressure. Close friends were found to exert greater negative peer pressure than classmates or random students. The study concludes that academic libraries play significant role in shaping peer pressure among undergraduate students in Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended that academic libraries should focus on providing a diverse range of reading materials, fostering a supportive environment for literacy and reading conversations, and empowering students to select their reading material.

Awareness, Coverage, and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Among Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: With the resumption of physical learning activities across Nigeria's higher education institutions, tertiary-level students, a prioritized group according to the WHO SAGE in the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines, face circumstances that necessitate widespread vaccination coverage among them. This is critical in view of vaccine hesitancy attitude and low vaccination coverage that has been reported among this subpopulation and the larger Nigerian populace. Surmounting these barriers is necessary to achieving a successful national vaccination program and for future pandemic preparedness and response. To this end, this study aimed to assess Nigerian undergraduate students' knowledge, coverage, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Nigerian undergraduates was conducted in October 2021, using an online questionnaire and a non-probability convenient sampling technique. The questionnaire included sections on respondents' demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine awareness, coverage, barriers, and recommendations. A total of 326 respondents electronically completed and returned the informed consent form along with the questionnaire. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25 were used to code and analyze the data, respectively. RESULTS: The overall awareness of COVID-19 vaccines among the sampled students were high, with 62.3% having good knowledge, 20.9% having average knowledge, and 16.9% having poor knowledge. However, the majority of the respondents (81.3%) had not received the vaccines. The most prominent barrier to vaccination was misinformation about vaccine safety (23.6%). Opening vaccination centers on campuses (18.6%), demonstrating vaccine effectiveness and safety (18.7%), and organizing awareness campaigns (17.2%) were the most frequently recommended actions. CONCLUSION: Most respondents were aware of the availability and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccines; however, coverage remained extremely low. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing vaccination barriers by public health stakeholders to achieve optimal COVID-19 vaccine coverage.

Awareness, Coverage, and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination among Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

Background: With the resumption of physical learning activities across Nigeria's higher education institutions, tertiary-level students, a priority group in the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines according to the WHO SAGE, face circumstances that necessitate widespread vaccination coverage among them. This study aimed to assess Nigerian undergraduate students' knowledge, coverage, and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Method: A cross-sectional survey of Nigerian undergraduates was conducted in October 2021, using an online questionnaire and a combined simple random and snowballing sampling technique. The questionnaire included sections on respondents' demographic characteristics, COVID-19 vaccine awareness, coverage, barriers, and recommendations. A total of 326 respondents electronically completed and returned the informed consent form along with the questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: The overall awareness of COVID-19 vaccines among the sampled students was high; with 62.3%, 20.9%, and 16.9% having good, average, and poor levels of knowledge respectively. However, a majority of the respondents (81.3%) had not received the vaccines. The most prominent barrier to vaccination was misinformation about vaccine safety (23.6%). Opening vaccination centers on campuses (18.6%), demonstrating vaccine effectiveness and safety (18.7%), and organizing awareness campaigns (17.2%) were the most frequently recommended actions. Conclusion: Most respondents were aware of the availability and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccines; however, coverage remained extremely low. Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing vaccination barriers by public health stakeholders to achieve optimal COVID-19 vaccine coverage.

Cognitive Load as a Predictor of Depression among Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

In spite of increased mental health care resources at universities, depression rates continue to rise. This study examined cognitive load as a predictor of depression among undergraduate students at Nigerian universities. A correlational survey paradigm was utilized. A total of 1026 first-year students of the Faculty of Education and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nigeria were included in this study. In the study, 300 undergraduate students [100 males and 200 females] from Nigeria's University of Nigeria were surveyed. The study collected data using the Cognitive Load Questionnaire (CLQ) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). CLQ had a reliability coefficient of 0.93, while BDI had a reliability coefficient of 0.90. Two research assistants administered the instruments to respondents. Simple regression was utilized for the research questions. A Fisher Z-test was used to test hypothesis two, while A linear regression t-test was used to test hypothesis one. In Nigerian universities, cognitive load does not significantly predict depression among undergraduates. Among Nigerian undergraduate students, 2.2% of their depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive load as a result of their gender. Other factors that influence depression among undergraduates in Nigerian universities, such as stress, need to be identified and appropriate measures taken to ameliorate the increasing trend of depression among undergraduates.

Introduction of Laboratory Endodontics: Evaluating the Perception of the Undergraduate Clinical Dental Students at a Nigerian University

Background: Root canal treatment (RCT) forms a part of the requirements for graduation for dental students. The students are expected to perform the procedure during their clinical training. However, most students are presented to the clinic without formal laboratory practical training.&#x0D; Aim: To introduce laboratory endodontic training and evaluate the perception of Nigerian undergraduate clinical dental students about the program.&#x0D; Methodology: A two-day hands-on training on RCT was done for a set of final-year dental students in the operative technique laboratory of the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the Institution. The training included taking the participants through all the steps involved in RCT. The participants performed all the stages of RCT on extracted lower molar teeth mounted on a phantom head with paraffin wax. Each student performed the two methods of biomechanical preparation taught: manual and rotary instrumentation, and later evaluated the training in terms of confidence and preparation for clinical exposure.&#x0D; Result: Twenty-one (53.9%) students within the age range of 23 to 30 years and a mean age of 25.4±1.7years completed the program. The majority, (81%) of the participants claimed the hands-on demonstration was very helpful in performing the procedure, and all submitted it will help their confidence during clinical exposure to RCT. The participants further suggested the incorporation of training into the regular school program.&#x0D; Conclusion: The laboratory endodontic hands-on training was accepted by all the participants, and it was opined that it will boost their confidence in performing the procedure in the clinic.

Cyberloafing in the classroom: A qualitative study with Nigerian undergraduate students

Background and Objective: The rise of academic cyberloafing — the non-academic use of internet connections during class — has emerged as a concern within the university context. While cyberloafing in the workplace has received ample attention, its counterpart in educational settings, particularly in Nigeria, remains less explored. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences and perspectives of undergraduate students at a private Nigerian university regarding cyberloafing. Method: Using an adaption of the Cyberloafing in Educational Settings Scale, this study targeted a class of 15 final-year library and information science students. Data collected online underwent qualitative description and was presented verbatim. Results: Though students were unfamiliar with the term 'cyberloafing,' they acknowledged participating in such behaviors. The findings revealed habitual social media use during class hours, the employment of online tools for academic purposes, and a prevalent trend of gaming activities, often driven by internet addiction and boredom. Students also conveyed an understanding of the potential downsides and benefits of digital engagements during academic hours. Conclusion: The study urges university policymakers to implement measures promoting positive internet use and incorporate ethical cyber behavior awareness into curricula. It further recommends that parents and lecturers foster proper online usage and advocates for society-wide campaigns to raise awareness about ethical digital technology behavior.

Effects of Listening to Music on Mental Health of Nigerian Undergraduate Students

Aim: The impact of music on mental health, specifically among Nigerian undergraduate students, is an area yet to be fully explored. This study therefore sought to investigate the impact of music listening habits on the mental health of Nigerian undergraduate students.&#x0D; Methodology: This study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of this study comprised of students from three tertiary institutions in Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria, namely: Federal College of Animal Health and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, and Federal College of Agriculture. A random sampling technique was employed to select four hundred (400) undergraduate students who were studying for the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) respectively.&#x0D; Results: A majority of the respondents (56.75%) listen to music several times a week, with 78% admitting to listening to music while studying. The genres most listened to were Hip hop (35.15%) and Gospel (27.12%). Most students reported feeling happier (39.87%) and more relaxed (33.26%) after listening to music, indicating a positive influence on mood and emotion. Furthermore, 83% of respondents claimed their mood influenced the type of music they chose to listen to, and 71.50% noted that different genres affected their mood distinctly. When asked about their mental health status, most students rated their mental health as good (71.25%) or excellent (26.75%). The majority acknowledged that music significantly influences their mood (87.25%), reduces stress levels (84%), and helps with concentration (85.25%). Up to 95.25% of the students have used music as a coping mechanism during emotional distress. Despite these benefits, a small percentage (2%) observed negative impacts on their mental health linked to their music listening habits. Overall, a significant 86.25% of students believe music positively influences their mental health. Notably, only 2.75% of students have sought professional help for mental health issues, and of these, 72.73% were recommended music as a therapeutic tool. Up to 93% expressed openness to the idea of music therapy.&#x0D; Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of music as a tool for enhancing mental health among Nigerian undergraduate students. However, the observed negative impacts on a minority of students highlight the need for further exploration and potential regulation of music-based interventions.

Experience and perceptions of nigerian undergraduate dental students to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 outbreak impacted negatively on teaching globally with traditional face-to-face teaching mostly affected. This study evaluated the experiences and perceptions of Nigerian undergraduate dental students to virtual learning (VL) including perceived institutional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional survey of 346 dental students from all 13 Nigerian dental schools. Data collection was done using an open/close-ended online questionnaire. The level of awareness and understanding of dental students to virtual learning was high (93.6%) and good (84.7%), respectively. About two-thirds (62.4%) of the students had a virtual learning classroom experience before the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical students spent more time on the Internet and reported more confidence in the use of VL platforms than their pre-clinical counterparts during the lockdown (p < 0.05). More male students than their female counterparts felt that VL had less quality than traditional classroom teaching (p < 0.05). Similarly, male students showed more confidence in the use of VL online tools (p < 0.05). Institutional and self-perceived preparedness to VL was ranked low and moderate by the students, respectively. The high cost of data subscriptions, unstable Internet connectivity, and lack of other institutional facilities were perceived as challenges to effective VL by students. None of the identified variables predict effective VL. Experiences of dental students and their preparedness to VL were moderate. The high cost of Internet subscriptions, unstable Internet connectivity, and low institutional facilities were major challenges to students' VL. None of the socio-demographic factors could successfully predict effective VL.

Psychological stress among Nigerian undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic has been linked with a high level of psychological stress from the associated lockdown policy by the government. University students are amongst the high-risk groups for developing COVID-19 related stress due to several factors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological stress among Nigerian undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down and assess predictors of moderate and high psychological stress.&#x0D; Methods: Data from a cross-sectional sample of 471 undergraduate students in Nigerian universities (aged 18 – 42) was utilized to determine the prevalence of psychological stress and assess predictors of moderate and high stress using self-report measures of socio-demographic information, health status, sleep quality and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale.&#x0D; Results: The median age (years) of participants was 21 (IQR: 19, 23), consisting of 41.4% males and 58.5% females. The prevalence of low, moderate, and high psychological stress was 13.6%, 62.0% and 24.4% respectively. A reduced risk of moderate and high stress was significantly associated with good/excellent health status and good/excellent sleep quality (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The Covid-19 pandemic is associated with significant levels of stress among Nigerian students. Government policy to combat the pandemic should be formulated in the background of its potential impact on mental health of vulnerable demographics.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Version's Factorial Structure and Cross-Cultural Validity in a Nigerian University.

The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is the most widely accepted tool for assessing burnout among students worldwide. However, no studies have yet tested the validity of the student version of the MBI in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess the factorial structure and cross-cultural validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Version MBI-GS (S) in a Nigerian university. An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 536 undergraduate students from three departments in the Faculty of Basic Medical Science at a Nigerian university. Data were collected using MBI-GS (S) and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to explore its factor structure. The results revealed that the three-factor, 15-item structure of the MBI-GS (S) demonstrated a valid factorial structure among Nigerian undergraduate students, evidenced by the extraction of three components with eigen values exceeding 1, accounting for 73.7% of the variance, in line with the three-factor structure of the original MBI. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was high, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.901. The Cronbach's alpha for emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy were 0.901, 0.841, and 0.941, respectively. A weak negative correlation was observed between emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and a moderate negative correlation was found between emotional exhaustion and academic efficacy, and cynicism and academic efficacy. These findings suggest that the MBI-GS (S) is a reliable tool for assessing burnout levels among Nigerian university students. They provide strong evidence for the factorial validity and reliability of the MBI-GS (S), supporting its cross-cultural validation for assessing burnout.

Life Orientation and Depression among Undergraduate Students: The Moderating Role of Self Esteem

Proper life orientation and self-esteem are sine-qua-non in enhancing students’ outcomes and distinct implications for students susceptible to risk factors of depression due to its influence on wellbeing. However, there is a paucity of research on the role of life orientation and self-esteem on depression among undergraduate students in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study examined the moderating role of self-esteem on the association between life orientation (optimism vs pessimism) and depression in a sample of Nigerian undergraduate students (n = 540; males 250 (46.3%), females 290 (53.7%), mean age = 20.71, SD =2.97). The students completed measures of the Self-rating depression scale (SDS), Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES) and Life Orientation Test-Revised scale. Regression analysis showed that optimism was negatively related to depression, while pessimism was positively related to depression. Self-esteem is negatively correlated with depression. Selfesteem moderated the relationship between optimism and depression but did not on pessimism and depression. The findings suggested that proper life orientation (optimism) and good self-esteem are sine-qua-non in reducing depression among individuals, which suggests the need for the development and design of intervention strategies as well as support services for people susceptible to a risk factor of depression. This is pertinent to aid such depressed individuals in maintaining optimal wellbeing.

Nigerian undergraduate students’ perception towards COVID-19 prevention: Implications for policy

Objective: Universities provide a supportive and safe learning environment for students. To limit the transmission of COVID-19, the WHO has recommended several preventive measures including frequent washing of hands, hand sanitizer usage, the wearing of masks, social distancing, covering of mouth while sneezing, etc. Students need to comply with these personal hygiene practices to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 prevention among undergraduate students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo Ogun State, Nigeria. 430 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows Version 21. A p-value of &lt; 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: 98.8%, 96.4%, and 84.1% of the respondents knew about COVID-19, know that it is a contagious disease, and know that a virus causes COVID-19 respectively. 60.4% and 56.7% heard about COVID-19 from the news and social media and had good knowledge of COVID-19 respectively. 38.2%, 36.7%, and 63.3% of the respondents have an average level of practice of COVID-19 prevention, had been vaccinated majorly with AstraZeneca brand of vaccine (20.6%), and are yet to be vaccinated respectively. There is no association between the knowledge of the prevention of COVID-19 and practice among undergraduate students of Babcock University (0.258, χ2=5.300). Conclusion: The majority of the students had good and average knowledge of COVID-19 and its prevention respectively. There was no significant association between knowledge and practice of COVID-19 prevention.

Knowledge, Attitude and Willingness to Participate in Gamete Donation for Artificial Insemination among Undergraduate Students in Lagos

Background: Infertility affects one-fifth to one-sixth of couples of reproductive age. Gamete donation is one option for managing infertility, but it is relatively unknown in the developing world. Objectives: To assess Nigerian undergraduate students' knowledge, attitude and willingness to participate in gamete donation for artificial insemination. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 undergraduate students using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were recruited using a multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.5±3.2 years, with a range of 18-32 years. The majority (89.4%) of the respondents were single and were in the first year of study (56.3%). Almost all the respondents (96.3%) had heard about the practice of gamete donation, but only (38.7%) had overall good knowledge about it. Almost half (46.9%) of respondents had an overall positive attitude towards gamete donation, while only 37.5% were willing to participate. The class level of the respondents (p = 0.03) was significantly associated with poor knowledge of gamete donation, while age (p = 0.01) and gender (p &lt; 0.001) were associated with a negative attitude. Age (p&lt;0.001) was also significantly associated with poor willingness to participate. Conclusion: The respondents' awareness of gamete donation was high, but their knowledge was poor, leading to a negative attitude and poor willingness to participate. Public enlightenment on gamete donation for artificial insemination should be intensified.

Academic performance, family support, interest and career decision among undergraduate students in Nigeria

Studies in the five recent years have shown that more than half of Nigerian undergraduate students changed their study programs and career decisions. Notwithstanding this fact, lack of research addresses factors that affect the Nigerian undergraduate students made such a decision. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the influence of academic performance, family support, and interest on career decision of undergraduate students in Jigawa state Nigeria. A set of questionnaires was utilized as an instrument to collect the data from a total of 373 Nigerian undergraduate students. Drawing on correlational study using structural equation modelling approach, this study revealed that academic reason (t=3.452; β=0.191; P=0.001) and family support (t=4.554; β=0.234; P=0.000) have statistically significant correlation with career decision making of the students. On the contrary, interest was empirically proven to not have a significant relationship with the career decision making (t=0.899; β=-.056; P=0.369). Thus, it is concluded that academic reason and family support play more crucial role in determining the career decision of undergraduate students in Nigeria than their interest abilities. This study provides implication for Nigerian government and non-government organizations to massively educate parents and families so that they can encourage their children’s career paths and support their career choices.

Variation in Nigerian undergraduate competence in English writing based on ethnic group

The purpose of this study was to investigate variation in Nigerian undergraduate students’ competence in English writing based on their ethnic grouping. The study is guided by EAP and ethnolinguistic repertoire theories. It adopted a descriptive type of quantitative research design in the process of data collection using a stratified purposive sampling strategy. The samples include a total of 402 heterogeneous students (134 each from Hausa, Igbo and Yorùbá ethnic groups). In essence, two research instruments were used in this study, including descriptive writing and an adapted rubric. A one-way ANOVA parametric test was carried out. The findings reveal a statistical level of variation across the three ethnic groups (N=402, F=21.89, df=2, p=.000). Thus, the results indicate that ethnicity plays a crucial role on the Nigerian student’s competence in English writing. The pedagogical implication of this study suggests developing Nigerian undergraduate students’ emotional, cognitive and behavioural dispositions and developing their mind settings (having a set of right attitude) to practice and learn English writing.