Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a disease of global public health concern, worse in developing countries, contributing to illnesses and deaths among under-five children. Diphtheria is a deadly disease with its burden alongside SAM, poorly known. This gap could impact negatively on policy formulation and interventions. In-hospital burden of under-five SAM and diphtheria with their outcome and associated factors were assessed in North-east Nigeria. A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study of children admitted for various illnesses at the Paediatric Emergency Unit, Paediatric Medical Ward and the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit of the Federal Medical Centre Nguru from 01/01/24-30/09/24. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Univariate and multi-variates analyses were presented in tables and graphs, significant p was < 0.05. There were 194 (12.7%) deaths from the total 1,530 under five admissions. Males accounted for 123 (63.4%) of these deaths. SAM contributed 854 (55.8%) to the total morbidities, while acute diarrhea disease and malaria were the other lead contributors to under-five morbidities with 207 (13.5%) and 130 (8.5%) cases respectively. SAM was the highest 139 (71.6%) contributor to mortalities, followed by Diphtheria 16 (8.2%), Acute Diarrhea diseases (ADDx) 13 (6.7%) and malaria 11 (5.7%). Diphtheria and SAM have the highest case fatality rates of 22.2% and 17.0% respectively. Age, admission duration and diagnosis were major determinants of outcome of care with aOR and CI of 4.24 (2.094-5.125), 6.92 (3.54-8.10) and 2.24 (1.18-3.67) respectively. We found high mortality rate, more males and children with SAM in this study. Most of the SAM patients were infants. SAM, ADDx and Malaria were the reasons for most admissions while SAM, Diphtheria, ADDx and Malaria were the major causes of deaths. Age, duration on admission and diagnosis were the main determinants of outcome of care. Underscoring the needs for early infant feeding and optimal complimentary feeding practices. Not applicable.

Children are a particularly vulnerable group and, in northeast Nigeria, they are severely affected by Boko Haram terrorism. Although previous studies have looked at the effects of terrorism on children's mental health, there is a lack of peer-reviewed studies on the effects of terrorism on adolescents' psychosocial adjustment. This study addresses this gap with data on the consequences of Boko Haram terrorism in the northeast of Nigeria. A cross-sectional research design was adopted through systematic sampling. In total, 391 children who were directly affected by Boko Haram terrorism were surveyed. A majority of the sample was male (60.4%). Respondent age ranged from 11 to 23 years (M = 18.00, SD = 2.83). Analyses revealed that 291 (74.42%) of the respondents reported severe traumatic exposure-a markedly increased percentage compared with prevalence rates in countries without conflict. The majority of respondents (70.4%) reported clinically significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD regularly co-occurred with other mental health and behavioral symptoms: depression, anxiety, and aggression. Terrorism-induced distress had an adverse effect on psychosocial adjustment (R2 = .364, F(6, 385) p < .01). For example, it was found that children were restricted in their social life. Boko Haram terrorism has a devastating impact on adolescents' mental health; most victims presented clinically relevant symptoms of PTSD. The victimized respondents were affected in their psychosocial adjustment to daily life and their educational development. Their vulnerability increases the risk of becoming potential recruits for terrorists. Supporting the victims would thus not only reduce their suffering but also decrease the likelihood of an ongoing cycle of violence.

This study assesses the changing patterns of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) among survivors managed at a dedicated referral center in North-East Nigeria over a 5-year period (2021-2025). A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Gender-Based Violence Unit of the Specialist Hospital Gombe. Records of all survivors of DSGBV managed between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2025, were reviewed. Data on year of presentation, age, sex, type of violence, place of residence, and time of reporting were extracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize trends and distributions. Inferential analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 26 (IBMCorporation, Armonk, NY, USA). This study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. A total of 675 survivors were recorded, with a progressive increase from 79 cases in 2021 to 171 in 2025. Adolescents aged 10-14 years consistently accounted for the highest proportion of cases (196/675; 29%). Females constituted 81.6% (551/675) of survivors. Sexual violence was the predominant form of abuse (556/675; 82.3%). Most survivors (601/675; 89.0%) resided in rural areas. Delayed reporting beyond 72 h was the most common pattern across all years. Reported cases of DSGBV increased progressively over 5 years, with children and adolescents bearing a disproportionate burden and sexual violence predominating. These findings highlight the need for strengthened routine screening, provider training, and equitable access to survivor-centered services, particularly for rural and adolescent populations in conflict-affected settings.

Hepatitis B and C virus infections remain major public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Pregnant women are a high-risk group due to the potential for mother-to-child transmission. This study assessed the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections, vaccination coverage, and associated factors among pregnant women in Northeastern Nigeria. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and November 2025. Blood samples were collected from 423 pregnant women attending selected hospitals, after obtaining socio-demographic information. The samples were screened for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies using rapid diagnostic test kits. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV co-infection were 9.93%, 4.49%, and 0.95%, respectively. Higher prevalence of HBV (4.96%; 95% CI: 2.89-7.03) and HCV (2.13%; 95% CI: 0.76-3.50) was observed among women aged 25-34 years. Vaccination coverage was relatively low and was significantly associated with educational level (p < 0.001) and place of residence (p < 0.001). Awareness and knowledge of hepatitis infection, transmission routes, and vaccine acceptance were significantly associated with vaccination uptake. The major barriers to vaccination included lack of awareness (42.32%), fear of side effects (22.93%), and misconceptions regarding vaccine necessity (20.57%). HBV and HCV infections remain prevalent among pregnant women in Northeastern Nigeria, with low vaccination coverage and significant gaps in awareness and access to preventive services, demanding targeted health education, improved vaccination access and strengthened antennal programs to reduce the burden of the infections in the area. Not applicable.

This study investigated the influence of teachers’ instructional strategies on students’ academic performance in electrical technology education in universities in North-East Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving a population of twenty-six lecturers and fifty-eight 300-level students from three universities offering electrical technology education. Data were collected using a validated Instructional Strategies Questionnaire (ISQ) with a reliability coefficient of 0.940. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that teachers employ instructional strategies at a moderate level (grand mean = 3.23), with greater emphasis on traditional methods such as lecturing, demonstration, and group discussions, while innovative approaches like flipped classroom and gamification were minimally utilized. The regression analysis indicated no significant influence of instructional strategies on students’ academic performance (R = 0.039, R² = 0.002, p &gt; 0.05). The study concluded that the moderate and limited application of diverse instructional strategies may not be sufficient to significantly impact students’ performance. It was recommended that lecturers adopt more innovative, learner-centered, and technology-integrated instructional approaches to enhance learning outcomes.

This study investigated the comparative effects of virtual and physical laboratory instructional approaches on the academic performance of polytechnic students in electric circuits in North-East Nigeria, with particular attention to gender differences and interaction effects. A pre-test–post-test non-equivalent group quasi-experimental design was adopted. The population comprised 554 ND II Electrical/Electronics Engineering students across 12 polytechnics in the region, from which a sample of 194 students was drawn using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Students were assigned to two experimental groups: Virtual Laboratory and Physical Laboratory. Data were collected using the Electric Circuits Academic Performance Test (ECAPT), adapted from NBTE-moderated ND examination questions and validated by experts, with a reliability coefficient of 0.85. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions, while hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that students taught using virtual laboratories achieved significantly higher post-test mean scores than those taught using physical laboratories. A significant difference was also found in the academic performance of male and female students, with males recording slightly higher mean scores. However, the interaction effect of teaching method and gender on academic performance was not significant, indicating that both male and female students benefited similarly from the virtual laboratory approach. The study concluded that virtual laboratories are a more effective and inclusive instructional strategy for teaching electric circuits in polytechnics in North-East Nigeria and recommended their integration into polytechnic engineering curricula to enhance learning outcomes.

ABSTRACT Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) is Nigeria’s longest-running counterinsurgency (COIN) campaign against Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). It achieved significant territorial gains after its launch in 2015. Yet these military successes coincided with persistent civilian vulnerability, livelihood disruption, and food insecurity in Northeast Nigeria. This paradox raises a central analytical puzzle: why did battlefield progress fail to translate into improved human security outcomes? Drawing on Strategic Interaction Theory (SIT) and Human Security Framework (HSF), this study interrogates the impact of OPLD on human security in Northeast Nigeria, with particularly emphasis on civilian protection, local livelihoods, and food security. Using a theory-guided qualitative case analysis of triangulated secondary data from open-source security reports, scholarly articles, and humanitarian sources, the study identifies a strategic mismatch between the state’s direct, coercive tactics and insurgents’ adaptive indirect strategies targeting civilians and their livelihoods. The study extends SIT beyond battlefield outcomes by foregrounding human security as a core metric of COIN effectiveness, with implications for COIN strategy design and civilian protection in asymmetric conflicts.

This study examined the impact of office ergonomics specifically office layout, office temperature, and office furniture on the productivity of business education lecturers in Colleges of Education in North-East Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 266 business education lecturers across nine Colleges of Education in the six states of North-East Nigeria. Using Taro Yamane's formula at a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error, a sample of 159 was calculated; 155 valid questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Stratified proportionate sampling and simple random sampling were employed. A researcher-made structured questionnaire titled "Questionnaire on Impact of Ergonomics and Human Resources on Lecturers' Productivity (QIEHRLP)" contained 27 items across three sections (office layout: 8 items; office temperature: 11 items; office furniture: 8 items) measured on a five-point Likert scale. The instrument was validated by three experts from the Department of Vocational Education, Modibbo Adama University, Yola. A pilot study conducted at Federal College of Education Technical Bichi, Kano State, using Cronbach's Alpha, yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.77, indicating good internal consistency. Data were collected through face-to-face administration with the assistance of three trained research assistants over four weeks. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation (benchmark mean = 3.0). Null hypotheses were tested using simple linear regression analysis at α = 0.05. Findings revealed that all ergonomic factors significantly impacted lecturer productivity. Office layout had a strong significant impact. The study concluded that a conducive ergonomic environment is not a luxury but a critical necessity for enhancing lecturer productivity. Recommendations include that college administrators, in collaboration with TETFund and the Federal Ministry of Education, should redesign office layouts to promote free movement, accessibility, and collaboration; invest in air-conditioning and ventilation systems to combat the hot North-East climate; and procure ergonomic furniture with regular maintenance schedules.

ABSTRACT This study examines transitional justice in rehabilitating ex-Boko Haram fighters in Northeast Nigeria through qualitative research involving key informant interviews with Operation Safe Corridor members and community leaders, in-depth interviews with former fighters and victims, and focus group discussions with internally displaced persons. Findings reveal that victim-offender dialogues, community visitations, and participatory mechanisms cultivate trust, empathy, and acceptance, enhancing reconciliation prospects. Framing transitional justice through social capital theory, this research emphasizes rebuilding trust and strengthening social bonds alongside institutional reforms, contributing to post-conflict reconciliation discourse in Africa.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus with nearly universal seroprevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. In people living with HIV, CMV contributes to immune activation, systemic inflammation, and accelerated immune dysfunction despite virologic suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Data on CMV-HIV co-infection remain scarce in North-East Nigeria, where fragile health systems and late presentation to care are common. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 181 adults with confirmed HIV receiving ART at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires and patient records. Serum samples were tested for CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies using ELISA. CD4 + T-cell counts and HIV viral load were measured using flow cytometry and real-time PCR. All participants (181/181; 100%) were CMV IgG positive, confirming universal prior exposure. CMV IgM seropositivity-indicating recent or ongoing infection-was detected in 58 of 181 participants (32.1%). IgM-positive cases were distributed across all age groups and were more frequent among women. Patterns of IgM seropositivity across CD4 + T-cell and viral load categories reflected the underlying distribution of clinical characteristics in the cohort. This study provides the first evidence of universal CMV exposure and a substantial prevalence of recent or reactivated infection among adults with HIV on ART in North-East Nigeria. The presence of CMV IgM positivity in a clinically stable, largely virologically suppressed population highlights CMV's persistent immunologic relevance. Further research using molecular assays is warranted to clarify the role of CMV reactivation in immune dysfunction and long-term ART outcomes. Not applicable.

The implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Borno State, Nigeria, often depends on the strategic involvement of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs). Despite their linkage, the strategic mechanisms through which INGOs operationalise UNSCRs at the local level remain under-examined. This study examines the strategic implementation of INGOs in addressing relevant UNSCRs, particularly those related to peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and gender inclusion in post-conflict Borno. The study also unravels the challenges of implementing the provisions of UNSCR 1325. Guided by strategic management theory, the study employs a qualitative case study approach, relying on semi-structured interviews with INGO staff, community leaders, and government actors, as well as a review of relevant documents. Thematic and content analysis are used to properly analyse the gathered information. Findings reveal that INGOs employ adaptive strategies, including cultural contextualization, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and policy advocacy to align global UNSCR mandates with local realities. However, implementation is constrained by insecurity, resource limitations, and sociopolitical resistance. The study concludes that while INGOs play a crucial bridging role between global norms and local needs, their effectiveness depends on strategic flexibility and sustained engagement. It recommends enhanced donor coordination, government support for INGO programming, and capacity-building for local actors. Policy implications highlight the need for a national framework that harmonises the implementation of UNSCRs across INGOs and state institutions to support sustainable peace and development in Northeast Nigeria.

ABSTRACT Despite the centrality of gendercide against non-combatant males to terrorists’ aim of achieving political, religious, military, and ideological objectives, the phenomenon has received minimal attention in terrorism studies. Whereas terrorism researchers have underscored that non-combatant males are subjected to gender-based violence in the specific form of sexual violence, the limitation of gender-based violence to sexual violence forecloses us from problematising and comprehending the myriad ways non-combatant males are not invariably perpetrators but victims of gender-based violence beyond the conventional emphasis on sexual violence. This article transcends the existing scholarly preoccupation with sexual violence to critically assess the gender-selective massacres of non-combatant males by terrorists as a strategy to vitiate competition from potential combatants. With masculinity generally framed as a potential threat in conflict situations, terrorists engage in gender-selective massacres of non-combatant males as a tactic in their quest to control communities and territories devoid of opposition. Drawing on the framework of hegemonic masculinity and on twenty-nine (29) phenomenological interviews with survivors and ex-Boko Haram combatants in the conflict-affected northeast Nigeria, I explore the manifestation and rationality of gendercide against non-combatant males in the troubled region where terrorist insurgents have wreaked havoc on communities in an attempt to impose a caliphate where shariah overrides secular politics. This article contributes to terrorism studies by broadening our comprehension of gender-based terrorist violence against non-combatant males beyond the extant theoretical and empirical focus on sexual violence that has been mainly employed to examine gender-based violence against non-combatant males in terrorist insurgencies around the world.

Background: Repeated blood transfusion remains a cornerstone in the management of chronic hematological disorders but is associated with significant biochemical and hematological alterations, including iron overload, hepatic dysfunction, and electrolyte imbalance. Objective: To assess biochemical and hematological changes associated with repeated blood transfusion among patients attending a tertiary hospital. Methods: This hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study involved 120 participants comprising 80 patients who had received ≥3 blood transfusions in the preceding 12 months and 40 age- and sex-matched controls with ≤1 transfusion. Hematological parameters were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer, while biochemical assays were performed using standard spectrophotometric methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression were applied. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Repeatedly transfused patients had significantly higher mean serum ferritin (486.3 ± 162.5 ng/mL vs 168.4 ± 72.1 ng/mL; p&lt;0.001), ALT, AST, bilirubin, and potassium levels compared to controls. Serum calcium was significantly lower in transfused patients (p=0.02). Serum ferritin showed a strong positive correlation with transfusion frequency (r=0.64, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Repeated blood transfusion is associated with significant biochemical and hematological alterations, particularly iron overload and hepatic dysfunction. Routine laboratory monitoring is recommended for early detection and prevention of transfusion-related complications.

This study examines the moderating role of firm size on the relationships between risk management, resource leveraging, and SMEs' performance in Northeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to investigate the impact of risk management on SMEs' performance, examine the impact of resource leveraging on SMEs' performance, evaluate the moderating role of firm size on the relationship between risk management and SMEs' performance, and assess the moderating role of firm size on the relationship between resource leveraging and SMEs' performance. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire from a sample of 346 SMEs in Northeast Nigeria, selected using Taro Yamane's (1967) formula. The results, obtained from a structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis using Smart-PLS software version 4.1, indicate that risk management (p-value: 0.008) and resource leveraging (p-value: 0.000) have a positive and significant impact on SMEs' performance. However, firm size does not have a statistically significant moderating role on the relationships between risk management, resource leveraging, and SMEs' performance. The study concludes that risk management and resource leveraging are crucial strategies for enhancing SMEs' performance in Northeast Nigeria and recommends that SME owners and managers prioritize these strategies, regardless of firm size.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of incentive strategy on employee performance: moderating mediating effect of organizational commitment and job satisfaction in the hospitality industry in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative approach to gather data, giving questionnaires to 335 full-time workers of three- and four-star hotels in Northeast Nigeria. The study hypotheses were empirically tested using the bootstrapping technique and the structural equation modeling approach. Findings The results confirm the positive and significant effects of incentive strategies (intrinsic and extrinsic), employee job satisfaction, and organizational commitment on employee performance. The positive significant effect of motivational strategies on employee job satisfaction was documented. A partial mediating effect of job satisfaction was documented. However, job satisfaction has no mediating impact, while the moderating effect of organizational commitment was documented. Practical implications Based on this study, practitioners should provide in-accordance incentives and rewards to hardworking employees in order to provide them with excellent working environments and suitable employment conditions, increase employee loyalty, reduce attrition, and draw in promising talent. Originality/value In contrast to earlier research, this study contribution concentrates on the moderating effect of organizational commitment and the mediating effect of employee work satisfaction in the hospitality industry. It draws attention to the industry's ongoing difficulties in luring and keeping workers.

This study examined the historical evolution of Tsangaya primary schools in North-east Nigeria. It identified the objectives of Tsangaya educational programme such as provision of quality basic education, vocational skills that would prepare the children to become self-sufficient in later life among others. The study also recognized the major challenges which bedeviled the smooth running of Tsangaya model primary schools in North-east Nigeria. These challenges included: financial constraint, poor supervision, inadequate resources, cultural resistance, poor living condition, administrative inefficiencies, insecurity to mention but a few. Provision of adequate funding, free feeding, secured atmosphere were pointed out as tools that can be employed to surmount the basic problems faced in managing Tsangaya primary school in North-east Nigeria

Tectonic Analysis and Modeling of Crustal Structures Beneath Gongola Basin, Northeast Nigeria, from Aeromagnetic, Satellite Gravity and Seismic Data

Considering sex differences of household heads, this study examines the livelihood opportunities and labour market outcomes of displaced individuals using the 2018 World Bank data on the profile of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North-East Nigeria. Our logistic and Probability score matching (PSM) results suggest that forcibly displaced female-headed households are more likely to be self-employed in non-farm activities. The estimates reveal a decrease in male-headed households’ farm employment due to forced displacement. Additionally, the results show no noticeable impact on labour force participation among IDPs. We highlight the critical role of informal employment as a buffer against displacement.

BackgroundNortheast Nigeria, particularly the conflict-affected Borno, Yobe and Adamawa (BAY) states, has some of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world. Armed conflict, damaged health infrastructure and systemic poverty have significantly reduced access to healthcare. This study explores how health-seeking behaviour among caregivers of children under five intersects with trust in health systems, exposure to violence and vaccine hesitancy.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using nine focus group discussions (FGDs) with 72 caregivers living in conflict-affected communities in the BAY states. Participants were purposively selected, and discussions explored barriers to accessing healthcare, trust in health systems, the impact of conflict on health-seeking behaviour and perceptions of childhood vaccinations. Data were analysed thematically using a conventional content analysis approach, allowing codes and themes to emerge inductively.ResultsHealth-seeking behaviour was shaped by a complex interplay of poverty, dysfunctional health infrastructure and profound mistrust of governmental institutions, all of which were exacerbated by prolonged exposure to violence. Patriarchal norms played a central role in decision-making processes, often limiting women’s autonomy when it came to accessing care. Vaccine hesitancy was influenced by misinformation, knowledge gaps and limited community engagement. However, caregivers with access to reliable information sources, such as community networks and local media, showed more positive attitudes towards immunisation.ConclusionsEfforts to improve maternal and child health in conflict-affected regions must prioritise trust-building, strengthening the health system in a culturally sensitive way and implementing targeted communication strategies. Leveraging community engagement and resilience is essential to reducing barriers to care and address vaccine hesitancy in fragile contexts.

In conflict-affected settings, primary health care (PHC) is delivered using various models of care due to disruption of usual health systems and infrastructure, with multiple humanitarian focused actors working in health care delivery. While studies have described individual models of care for delivering PHC services in conflict-affected settings, there has not been studies to exploring the complexity of use of different models of care in conflict-affected settings, and what factors associated with the choice of different models by humanitarian organisations. An organisational cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to June 2022 in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon, and Northeast Nigeria where there has been protracted armed conflict. We recruited senior level humanitarian organisations staff via purposeful sampling and snowballing. The survey was conducted using an online questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariable logistic stepwise analysis was conducted to describe the models used and explore the association models of care with factors influencing their decision. A total of 160 organisations participated in the survey, with the majority being national NGOs. Six different models of care were reported to be used by humanitarian organisations with community-based interventions (CBI) (n = 82/119), outreaches (n = 82/119) and health facility (n = 71/119) modalities being the most used. Alternatives were mobile clinics (n = 37/119), home visits (n = 54/199) and telemedicine (n = 22/119). The use of mobile clinics was associated with use in peri-urban setting (OR = 3.06, CI = 1.31–7.42, P = 0.011), home visits more likely to be use in urban settings (OR 3.27, CI = 2.41–47.35, p = 0.003). Ministry of Health priorities was associated with CBI being used (OR 9.35, CI = 3.27–6187.03, p = 0.0144); with cost being associated with the use of CBI (OR = 6.33, CI = 3.94–2203.5, p = 0.007). Understanding how different actors in humanitarian settings chose their model of care of service delivery is important for co-ordinating planning of services in a conflict setting. This study highlights the complexity in choice of model of care delivery in conflict settings, with often arbitrary decisions due to the lack of a guidance to assist choice of the most appropriate model for the context. The next steps are to develop a framework to support choice of model of care, with associated tools to measure and support quality of care in delivery of services to those in conflict settings. Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05279105, Registration date: 17 February 2022.