North Central Geopolitical Zone Research Articles

Non-technical skills training for Nigerian interprofessional surgical teams: a cross-sectional survey

IntroductionNon-technical skills (NTS) including communication, teamwork, leadership, situational awareness, and decision making, are essential for enhancing surgical safety. Often perceived as tangential soft skills, NTS are many times not included in formal medical education curricula or continuing medical professional development. We aimed to explore exposure of interprofessional teams in North-Central Nigeria to NTS and ascertain perceived facilitators and barriers to interprofessional training in these skills to enhance surgical safety and inform design of a relevant contextualized curriculum.MethodsSix health facilities characterised by high surgical volumes in Nigeria’s North-Central geopolitical zone were purposively identified. Federal, state, and private university teaching hospitals, non-teaching public and private hospitals, and a not-for-profit health facility were included. A nineteen-item, web-based, cross-sectional survey was distributed to 71 surgical providers, operating room nurses, and anaesthesia providers by snowball sampling through interprofessional surgical team leads from August to November 2021. Data were analysed using Fisher’s exact test, proportions, and constant comparative methods for free text responses.ResultsRespondents included 17 anaesthesia providers, 21 perioperative nurses, and 29 surgeons and surgical trainees, with a 95.7% survey completion rate. Over 96% had never heard of any NTS for surgery framework useful for variable resource contexts and only 8% had ever received any form of NTS training. Interprofessional teams identified communication and teamwork as the most deficient personal skills (38, 57%), and as the most needed for surgical team improvement (45, 67%). There was a very high demand for NTS training by all surgical team members (64, 96%). The main motivations for training were expectations of resultant improved patient safety and improved interprofessional team dynamics. Week-long, hybrid training courses (with combined in-person and online components) were the preferred format for delivery of NTS education. Factors that would facilitate attendance included a desire for patient safety and self-improvement, while barriers to attendance were conflicts of time, and training costs.ConclusionsInterprofessional surgical teams in the Nigerian context have a high degree of interest in NTS training, and believe it can improve team dynamics, personal performance, and ultimately patient safety. Implementation of NTS training programs should emphasize interprofessional communication and teamworking.

Mwaghavul Arable Farmers – Fulani Herdsmen Conflict and Socio-economic Development in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State

Arable farmers and the Fulani herdsmen conflict is a societal malaise that is bedeviling most societies in Nigeria. The scenes were more prevalence in the North-central geo-political zone of the country. In Plateau State, the incidence cut across different local government areas in the state. This study therefore examined the conflict between the Mwaghavul Arable farmers and the Fulani herdsmen in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The study adopted a mixed method research design. Data were elicited from documentary facts The main instruments for data collection were questionnaire, in-depth interview and observation; they were subjected to face and content validation. Focus group discussion and in-depth tinterview were used to corroborate the quantitative analysis. We used Pearson chisquare and ANOVA to test the hypotheses of the study at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that the conflict was triggered by the damages of crops of the Mwaghavul arable farmers by the herds of the Fulani herdsmen. The study also found the conflict has adverse on socio-economic development (schools, businesses, mutual trust, agricultural production, etc.). Based on the findings, study recommends the need to modernize herding system in Nigeria, need for civic education, moral probity, among others

An Exposè on Encumbrance in Political Parties' Financing and Electoral Credibility in Nigeria

Purpose: This study examines political party financing and voting behaviour in north-central Nigeria, with particular focus on the level of financing in the region, the underlining motivations for such financing, and insight into the benefits or otherwise of political party financing on governance and development in the region vis-à-vis electoral process credibility. Theoretical framework: Electoral window in Nigeria political terrain is conceived by the elite as investment venture of which profit is to be maximized by means of exchange of electorates voting power for money, entrenchment of poverty and by extension hold the electoral system to hostage via manipulation, corruption and election irregularities and weak judicial system. According to the investment and social exchange theory, the political class are to business of investment for profit and exchange of services (voting power/vote buying) transaction politics for elite interest aggregation and articulation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study uses using survey and in-depth interview. The research work was carried out across three dominant political parties in north-central Nigeria, namely the All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP), in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The research follows three stages of random sampling. Stage one involves the random sampling or selection of two local governments across Benue, the Plateau, and Nassarawa, totaling six units of study. Stage two involves the random selection of two council wards from each of the six (6) identified focus areas, for a total of twelve (12) council wards. Stage three involves the selection of 18 respondents from each unit sampled, making a total of 216 respondents for the study. The study made use of descriptive statistics (Graphs) to analyse the data obtained from a field survey and interview analysed thematically. However, 200 questionnaires were valid for analysis after two weeks of administering the questionnaire. Findings: Findings reveal that unregulated political party financing undermines Nigeria electoral process vis-à-vis electoral credibility. It promotes political patronage and clientele networks; thus, political or electoral funders control and select politicians, thereby sacrificing good governance and development. Excessive and unregulated financing breaks the link between the electorate and politicians, leading to unequal participation, making it difficult for new political forces to emerge. Politicians with large resources often give preferential treatment to their backers, and politicians abuse their access to state resources to maintain power which in turns undermines the electoral process due to transactional (party with big money bags wins’ election) political nature in Nigeria. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study shows that political elites has weaponized transactional politics and corruption to hold on to power and by extension undermines the electoral process which in turns gave rise to bad governance, corruption and poverty in Nigeria and Nigeria is currently suffering from institutional fragility (INEC) and if proactive measures is not taken to suppress these menace in Nigeria political landscape, the country is heading to banana republic. This study helps policymakers to be in the know of the impending disaster that awaits Nigeria in the near future if proactive measures are not taking to quell this menace of transactional politics. Originality/Value: The findings suggest several consequences for the electoral processes in Nigeria and by extension Africa on how eexcessive political party financing affects the performances of eventual winners and electoral outcomes and this transactional politics does not does not benefit the north-central zone as it concerns service delivery oriented governance and development.

Influence of Entrepreneurship Education on Students’ Innovation and Creativity in Nigerian Public Universities

Entrepreneurship education is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to start and run successful businesses, as well as to foster an entrepreneurial mindset. Through entrepreneurial courses, students are expected to learn how to identify market opportunities, develop business plans, and acquire the necessary resources to bring their ideas to fruition. They also learn about risk management, financial management, and marketing strategies, which are essential skills for any entrepreneur. Hence, this study examined the influence of entrepreneurship education on students' innovation and creativity. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyse the data collected from 244 undergraduate students in federal universities in north-central geo-political zone, Nigeria. The findings revealed that (1) there is a positive significant relationship between entrepreneurship education and students’ innovation; (2) entrepreneurship education has a significant influence on students’ creativity. Therefore, it is broadly recommended that universities should not see entrepreneurship education as the courses that must be passed through test, presentations and examinations, rather the courses should be assessed based on success recorded by students in their chosen areas of business or ingenuity (practical evaluation).

Relationship Among Teachers’ Occupational Interests, Job Satisfaction and Performance in Government Secondary Schools in North Central Nigeria

This study investigated the relationship among teachers’ occupational interests, job satisfaction and performance in government secondary schools in North-Central Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey design using teachers in government secondary schools in the North-Central Geopolitical zone of Nigeria. A sample size of 384 teachers comprising 153 males and 231 females participated in the study through stratified random sampling procedure. Three instruments were used for the study – Vocational Interests Inventory (VII) Job Satisfaction Inventory for Teachers (JOSIT) and Teachers Job Performance Inventory (TEJOPI). The reliability of the instruments was determined through test re-test method using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient which yielded reliability indices of 0.92, 0.84 and 0.81 for VII, JOSIT and TEJOPI respectively. One research question and three hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. Data generated was analyzed using mean scores and standard deviation for the research question. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for hypotheses one and two while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test hypothesis three. The findings revealed that teachers in government secondary schools in North-Central Nigeria were dissatisfied with their jobs as reflected in the sectional mean of 2.712. The findings further revealed that a significant relationship existed between occupational interests and job satisfaction but not with job performance. The findings further indicated that there was no significant relationship between jobs satisfaction and Job performance. The researcher recommended among other measures, that government as the major employer of labour should ensure periodic improvements in the working conditions of teachers to enhance their job satisfaction and boost productivity.

The Impacts of Farmers-Herders Conflicts in the North-Central Zone of Nigeria

The study x-rayed farmers-herders conflict in the North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria. Exploratory research was employed; focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview (KII) were used to collect primary data from the respondents. The data generated were transcribed and recorded verbatim (word-for-word account of verbal interview) and they were converted into written form. Data were enumerated and thematic analysis and categorization were provided. Secondary data were sourced from the internet and relevant books. This study adopted the social theory. The findings of the study revealed that the destruction of farmlands by cattle is one of the major causes of the farmers-herdsmen crisis in the north-central zone. It also revealed that the harassment of herders by the host community, that is, the youths, is another factor which instigates animosity thereby leading to a farmers and herdsmen crisis in the North-Central zone. It discovered that farmers-herders conflict has reduced the quality of the social relationship between both the farmers and herdsmen, and resulted in the loss of human life, houses and properties worth billions of naira in the zone of North-Central. The paper recommended that government at all levels and critical stakeholders should exercise good leadership and political will by bringing the warring parties to a dialogue table while meting punishment and rewards where necessary so as to restore peace, order and trust in the populace. The level of destruction incurred by the warring parties should be assessed, and both governmental and non-governmental organisations should work towards financial assistance for the victims of farmer-herdsmen conflicts. The findings corroborate the gaps which the researchers intended to fill.

Natural Resource Conflicts and Peace Building in Africa: Towards Resolving Herdsmen-Farmers Conflicts in Nigeria’s North-Central Geo-Political Zone.

The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between globalization, resource conflicts and peace - building in Africa, with particular emphasis on Nigerian’s north-central geo-political zone. The wave of globalization that has swept across the world with its attendant socio-economic and political consequences lies at the heart of this study. The debate that is raging currently amongst intelligentsias, public analysts, and the international community points to the fact that the global system has suffered increasing setbacks occasioned by the impacts of globalization and contestation for scarce natural resource endowments. The changes that have emerged for several decades in both developed and developing nations, with the latter having a greater share of repercussions, have remained largely daunting. The multiplier effects of these changes have resulted to worsening crises situations, with fast growing rate of intra-state and/or trans-regionalized networked conflicts, which is why Africa and indeed Nigeria, has become hotbed for contestations recently. This work adopts qualitative approach as method of investigation. This work relies on classic works of experts in the broader discipline of globalization and conflict resolutions, the essence of which is to clearly define ways of ensuring absolute peace in Nigeria’s north central zone. The paper observes that guaranteeing peace- building requires the adoption of both vertical and horizontal approaches as templates for the realization of peace objectives.

Assessment of Educational Resources For The Implementation Of Undergraduate General Studies Entrepreneurship Curriculum In Federal Universities In North Central Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

Assessment of Educational Resources For The Implementation Of Undergraduate General Studies Entrepreneurship Curriculum In Federal Universities In North Central Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

Awareness: a strategic tool for the implementation of green libraries by academic librarians

This study sought to examine the importance of awareness in the adoption and implementation of green libraries in academic libraries in Nigeria. The key objectives were to determine academic librarians’ awareness of the concept of green libraries, ascertain if greening libraries is a good innovation for adoption and implementation, ascertain reasons for the slow adoption and implementation of green libraries by academic librarians in Nigeria and to identify strategies for enhancing green library implementation in Nigerian academic libraries. The methodology used was the descriptive survey research design while all the 170 academic librarians in the twelve university libraries across the six states of the North Central geo-political zone of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja formed the population of the study. Questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using simple percentages, mean scores and standard deviation. Various suggestions were made on how to create awareness and use it as a strategic tool in the implementation of green libraries in academic libraries. The paper concluded that implementing green libraries will enhance the visibility and value of libraries in society by showcasing their ability to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and development issues, thereby demonstrating their continued relevance to humanity.

Knowledge of senior secondary school students in Nigeria about Head and Neck Cancer: Implications on prevention strategies.

The high prevalence of the risk factors of head and neck cancer (HNC) amongst senior secondary (high) school students in Nigeria is an issue of serious public health concern. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge of HNC among them. This cross-sectional study surveyed 2,530 senior secondary school students in Nigeria, assessed their knowledge of HNC, using a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software. The mean (±SD) age of the respondents was 16.34 (±2.0) years. More than half (1418; 56.6%) of them were males, 530 (20.9%) were schooling in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, 1,860 (73.5%) were in public schools, 554 (21.9%) were boarding students, and 817 (33.5%) were in Senior Secondary (SS) 3 class. Only 789 (31.2%) respondents were aware of HNC, out of which: 69.2% of them had below-average scores in their overall assessment on HNC; 256 (32.4%) had ever received education on HNC and 81.2% indicated a positive interest in knowing more about HNC. The factors predicting above-average score on knowledge about HNC among the respondents were: being in SS3 class (OR=1.73; 95% CI=1.17 - 2.56), having been educated about HNC (OR=1.69; 95%CI=1.21 - 2.35) and having the interest to know more about HNC (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.21 - 2.92). Bivariate analysis showed that these factors had statistically significant association (or relationship) with above-average score on knowledge about HNC (pvalues<0.05). Majority of the surveyed students were willing to know more about HNC. The use of a properly planned massive school-based HNC education programs may go a long way in educating this population group on HNC.

Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices among Nigerian Academic Communities

Abstract: Purpose: This study assesses Nigerian academic communities’ (NAC) knowledge, perception, and practices regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Methodology: Online snowball sampling technique with 5-point Likert scale online questionnaire was used to assess NAC knowledge, perception, and practices amidst coronavirus pandemic. About 368 participants comprised of academic and non-academic staff from north central geopolitical zone of Nigeria participated in the study. Responses were analysed using the SPSS. Result: NAC gathered, shared, and updated their knowledge about COVID-19 mostly through social media. Participants professed social media as the most effective platform for education and updates on COVID-19 compared to the conventional media and government sources. Despite that, participants were discovered to have slight issues in differentiating real news from fake ones. The participants reasonably practised precautionary measures as directed by the government and centre for disease control. Limitations: This study is limited to academic environment while COVID-19 affects all sundries and sectors of the economy respectively. Contribution: This study contributes to the knowledge and insight of COVID-19 among NAC and suggests means of managing the virus to avoid further spread. Keywords: 1. Coronavirus 2. COVID-19 3. Pandemic 4. Nigerian Academic Communities 5. Perception

Work Related Stress and its Causes among Selected Built Environment Academics in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Work related stress has negative effect on productivity and satisfaction among workers in various field. An important barrier to understanding how work-related stress affects individual academics in the built environment is scarcity of empirical studies in the area. As a result, this study aims at examining the main causes of stress and the level of risks associated with the stress among academics in the built environment. Questionnaires were administered to academics in the built environment faculties, schools and institutes offering courses such as Architecture, Building, Estate Management, Quantity surveying, Surveying and Geoinformatics and Urban and Regional Planning in the South West and North Central geopolitical zones of Nigeria. A systematic sampling technique was adopted to administer the questionnaire to respondents. The results show that work related stress among built environment academics is high (&gt;60% on work related stress grading scale) and causes were classified into organizational factors, job demand and job role. The most important risk factors were also identified as problem with office accommodation inadequate temperature control, lack of privacy (physical factors), poor communication, lack of career progression and job insecurity (organizational and job role factors). Due to the high level of work-related stress among academics in the built environment, their performance in discharging duties in terms of research and teaching have been affected. Management of higher institutions should provide incentives and enabling environment to individual lecturer to address those factors identified in other to improve their overall performance.

Market Performance of Cashew Nuts among Marketers in North–Central Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

Market Performance of Cashew Nuts among Marketers in North–Central Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria

Assessment of Knowledge and Practices of Food Hygiene among Food Vendors in North Central Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria

The study was carried out to assess the Knowledge and Practice of food hygiene among food vendors in North East Zone, Nigeria. The researchers used descriptive survey design and the population of the study was some selected food vendors in North East Zone, with population of three hundred and sixty (360) where sixty (60) of them were sampled for the study through simple random sampling technique, the instrument used for the collection of data for the study was self-structured questionnaire and the data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentage. Findings of the study reveals that about 45.1% of the respondents have good personal hygiene practice while 54.9% of them have poor personal hygiene practices and in view of their food handling practices, 63.7% of them have good food hygiene practice while 36.3% have unhygienic food handling practices. Such improper personal hygiene and unhygienic food handling practices may lead to ill health and subsequent contamination of the food they handle. It is therefore recommended that food handlers should put more effort towards practicing good personal hygiene especially hand washing and the use protective devices while rendering food services.

Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in the North Central Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

This paper investigated the Humanitarian Crisis in the North Central zone of Nigeria and the resettlement challenges faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). It was designed to find out the types and causes of Displacement in the zone and determine the readiness of IDPs to return to their original communities before Displacement. The Research was carried out in three states of the North Central Geopolitical Zone, which are Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory using a total of nine IDP camps. It was conducted using a combination of research designs by applying quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data was collected using three data collection tools which are questionnaires, observation schedule, and focus group discussions schedule. Results revealed that the internally displaced persons found in the North Central geopolitical zone in the states of Nasarawa and the FCT come mostly from the Northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, and were displaced due to the Boko Haram insurgency. Those living in Niger State come from within Niger and were displaced due to Banditry. Results also revealed that the majority of IDPs live in deplorable conditions within the North Central Geopolitical zone with limited access to food, education, health services, water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. The Research further revealed that most IDPs are willing to return to their original homes, and their first deciding factor to return is the restoration of security back in their communities, the second factor is their family ties, third is funding to support their return, and then fourth is government legislation that may compel relocation of displaced persons.

Assessment of Liver Functions Parameters of Asymptomatic Apparently Healthy Hepatitis B Virus Carriers among Voluntary Blood Donors in Some Parts of Nigeria

Several studies have been conducted on hepatitis B virus and its manifestations including its effect on organ functions. Hepatitis B virus is a hepatotropic virus which courses inflammations of the liver and other complications such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure and death, this study assessed the effect of hepatitis B virus on liver functions in asymptomatic blood donors in some towns within three (3) geo-political zones in Nigeria. Method: A total of 183 subjects consisting of 137 males and 46 females participated in the North Central geopolitical zone: 176 subjects consisting of 129 males and 47 females participated in the North East, while 173 subjects consisting of 123 males and females participated in the South South Zone. The mean age of the subjects were 34.89 _+ 9.19 years for the three zones respectively. Blood sample were collected from the subjects and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and also Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) to rule out co-infection using ELISA. All samples were analysed for liver function parameter such as Total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, total protein, Albumin, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alannie Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), using Chemwell 2910 fully Automated chemistry analyser. The results were analysed using statistical analysis system (SAS, STAT 15.1), and p values &lt; 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean values of total protein, albumin total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin aspirant aminotransferase (AST &amp; ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) did not vary significantly (P 005) between the hepatitis B virus negative and hepatitis B virus positive subjects across the geopolitical zones studied. However, the variation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significant (p &gt; 0.014) between the two treatment groups across the three geopolitical zones, but the margin was not wide enough to draw clinical ....

High-performance work practices lecturers’ performance connection: Does working condition matter?

Poor performance of lecturers in Nigerian Polytechnics warrants independent research on lecturers’ job performance, given that the poor performance has seriously affected educational development in the country. Substantial evidence from the extant literature has highlighted that high-performance work practices are significant predictors and drivers of enhanced performance. Also, the functionality of high-performance work practices is context-dependent. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of high-performance work practices (recruitment and selection, training and development, and employee involvement) on lecturers’ performance in the context of Nigerian polytechnics. It also examines the moderating role of working conditions in the high-performance work practices’ relationship with lecturers’ performance. Data were obtained from 539 academics in the North-west Nigerian polytechnics. The overall findings indicate that training and development and employee involvement are significant predictors of enhanced lecturers’ performance, and working condition strengthens the recruitment and selection–performance connection and employee involvement–performance relationship. This implies that the link between HR practices and enhanced performance could be affected by the environment within which organizations operate. The present study focused mainly on teaching staff from the polytechnics located in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Thus, other geopolitical zones and non-teaching staff from various polytechnics could be studied further by future studies.

COMPARISON ANALYSIS OF ASSET OWNERSHIP AND POVERTY STATUS OF FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN RURAL NIGERIA

This study analyzed asset ownership and poverty status of female-headed households (FHH) in rural Nigeria using the 2013 General Household SurveyData collected by National Bureau of Statistic. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, Foster, Greer and Thorbeeke and Ordered Probit models at α0.05 were used to analyse data collected from 424 FHH. The results revealed that asset index was highest in South-West Geo-political zone and lowest in NorthCentral. Mean per capita expenditure was N30, 258.6 while the poverty line was N20, 172.4 per annum. However, poverty incidence, depth and severity were higher in the North-Central geopolitical zone than the South-West counterparts. Aggregate asset index, educational status and membership of cooperative society of FHH significantly determined their poverty status. Also, additional aggregate asset for FHH reduced the probability of being core poor by 0.8% and likelihood of moderately poor by 0.9%. Female-headed household being in the North-East, North-West, South-East and South-Southhad theprobability of being poor reduced by 38.8%, 50.2%, 31.0%, 22.4% and 21.4% respectively relative to the North-Central.The study recommends that FHH should be involved in social network and accruing more skills since both are poverty reducing strategies.

Chemotaxonomy of Vitex negundo L. essential oil from six states of the northcentral geopolitical zone of Nigeria

Vitex negundo L., has been associated with a number of pharmacological activities, including enzyme inhibition, antifeeding action, larvicidal activity, and mosquito repellent effect. Between June and September, 50 kg of plant material each were collected from six states in the North-Central geopolitical zone to explore the chemotaxonomical variation of the V. negundo essential oil yield and composition. For extraction, a custom-designed essential oil plant based on the steam distillation principle was employed, and for characterization, a Varian CP-3800 gas chromatograph with an HP-5 capillary column was used. Essential oil yields varied from 0.03 to 0.48% depending on weather factors and soil substructure type. Niger and Kogi samples had the largest and lowest essential oil production, respectively. Furthermore, the yields from Nassarawa, Plateau, and Kwara did not differ substantially (p > 0.05). The volatile oils had a wide range of compositions, according to GC-MS studies. Monoterpenes account for the bulk of the active components, accounting for 74.65–96.23 percent, with sesquiterpenes contributing about 0.75–16.32%. The most common monoterpenes (10%) found in V. negundo essential oil throughout the six states were α-phellandrene (20.27–34.65%), sabinene (11.31%–12.21%), β-pinene (42.04%), p-cymene, and myrcene (16.78%). Regardless of origin, all essential oil samples included α-pinene, linalool, cis-sabinene hydrate, citronellal, verbenone, and bornyl acetate. Finally, climate and soil type impact the quantity and content of essential oils. These chemical markers may be used to identify V. negundo essential oil.

Assessment of Entrepreneurship in Librarianship for Poverty Reduction and Unemployment Among Librarians in Colleges of Education in North Central, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess entrepreneurship in librarianship for poverty reduction and unemployment among librarians of College of Education in North central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is obvious that entrepreneurship reduces unemployment, promotes self-reliance, alleviates poverty and provides the opportunity for individuals to contribute to the economic development of a nation through innovative ideas. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, five research hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 levels of significance. A survey method was adapted for the study. Professional librarians, forty-eight (48) of them, selected in the Colleges of Education in the North-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, represented the population of the study. A structured questionnaire titled entrepreneurship in librarianship for poverty reduction and unemployment (ELPRU) was administered to the respondents in the selected Colleges of Education. Out of the 48 copies of the questionnaire distributed to the respondents, a total of 45 (93.7%) copies were returned and duly completed and found usable for the study. The data collected for the study were presented and analyzed using inferential statistics. T-test was used to test the significant difference between variables in hypothesis 1 and 2, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the significant relationship among the variables in 3, 4 and 5 at 0.05 levels of significance. However, the finding of the study reveals that there is significant difference among librarians in the types of entrepreneurial skills they acquired. In this study, it is recommended that librarians, as well as other information professional, need to diversify their interests and passion for entrepreneurial opportunities within and outside library and information and also work for self-reliance without being depend on white collar jobs and/ or government. Also, government at all levels and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should provide funds for librarians in any chosen entrepreneurial opportunity available or specialization after graduation from library and information science schools.