State Southwest Nigeria Research Articles

Evaluation of Teachers Pedagogical Method of Teaching Physics and Its Effects on Academic Performance of Physics Students in Senior Secondary School in South West Nigeria

The study examines Teachers teaching method and its Effect on Academic performance of physics students in Senior Secondary Schools in South West Nigeria, with a view of improving effective teaching and learning of physics .This study is based on survey research design. The population comprised of all physics teachers in public secondary schools in Ekiti and Ondo States in South West Nigeria. The instrument used was Physics Programme Evaluation Questionnaire for Teachers (PAT) with a reliability coefficient r = (0.73) was obtained using Crumbach Alpha. One research hypothesis and one research question were posed to guide the study. Findings from this study revealed that majority of physics teachers in South West Nigeria often using recommended teaching method, and a significant relationship between teachers teaching method and academic performance of physics students. It is recommended that government should be given teachers symposium and regular work shop on the recommended teaching methods and provide teaching aids to facilitate effective teaching and learning of physics.

Staff Training and Agro-processing Industry in Nigeria. A study of some selected Agro-industries in Nigeria

Training and development is a continuous exercise which aim at developing competences and enhance the individual’s capacity to contribute optimally to the development of the organisation. The aim of this study is to examine training and development as a means of driving agro-industry capacity in Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The study was carried out in three states in southwest Nigeria. Multi stage sampling techniques was adopted to select 150 respondents in five Agro-Based industries (i.e. salt processing industry, production of flour, Maida and semolina, fruits processing industries, milk processing industries and seed processing and preservation industries). The necessary data were gathered with the aid of questionnaire distributed to 150 respondents in selected industries. The psychometric property (reliability and validity) of the instrument of data collection (questionnaire) were tested using Cronbach alpha and component factor analysis respectively. The data were analysed by means of simple linear regression with the aid of SPSS. It was revealed from the result of the analysis that there exist a positive significant relationship between Agro-processing industry and Training and Development in Nigeria. Hence, the study recommends that massive awareness should be made by Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute in order to enhance agro industry capacity in Nigeria and the Training institute should run efficient and effective mandatory training programmes bi-annually.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE DEMAND FOR HERBAL MEDICINES IN SOUTH-WESTERN REGION OF NIGERIA

This study examined the socio economic impact of the demand for herbal medicines in SouthWestern region of Nigeria. Three states were randomly selected out of the six states in the SouthWest, Nigeria. These are Ekiti, Ondo, and Osun states. Two local governments were randomly selected from each state and three communities selected from each of the local governments. Convenience sampling method was used to arrive at our sample size of 1,224 with 204 respondents randomly selected from each local government area (LGA). Data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistics while bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were carried out to establish the relationship between the semi-structured questionnaires with E-views 12 package. Key findings revealed that 815 respondents representing 74% agreed that doctors’ industrial action was one of the reasons for the demand for herbal medicine. The adjusted odd ratio (AOR) of 1.51* (8.25-11.43) at 95% confidence intervals from the logit regression revealed that doctors’ strike has a significant effect on demand for herbal medicine. The impact of cost on demand for herbal medicine was affirmed by 693 respondents and was statistically significant with AOR 2.38* (1.02- 5.59). Effectiveness/potency of herbal medicines was alluded to by 71% of the respondents having AOR 2.22*(6.07-9.72). It was also evidenced in the study that poverty is a determinant of demand for herbal medicine as only 28% of respondents whose income are above N50,000 demands herbal medicines and 63% of respondents affirmed that they could not afford the cost of orthodox healthcare with AOR 2.38* (1.02-5.59). Availability of herbal medicine has effect on increasing demand for it as 64% of the respondents confirmed availability and accessibility of it having AOR 1.00* (2.22-2.91). The study concluded that Socio-economic factors such as doctors’ strike actions, low education, low income, distance to health facilities and the attitude of health workers contribute to high demand for Herbal Medicine in the South-West States of Nigeria.

Socijalna prilagođenost adolescenata sa oštećenjem sluha u Nigeriji - da li će posredovati agresivni sadržaji na televiziji i zavisnost od pornografije?

Introduction. Living adaptively in any environment depends on several factors ranging from personal to environmental. In the event of development, there is the complexity that globalisation through digitalisation has added to adaptive living among youngsters, especially those living with hearing impairment. Objectives. This study investigated the effects of televised aggression and pornographic addiction on social adjustment of adolescents with hearing impairment in two states in South-west Nigeria. Methods. The study employed a descriptive survey study of expo facto type. Samples of 118 adolescent students with hearing impairment participated in the study through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. A Social Adaptation Inventory with a reliability of .79 was used to collect data from the respondents. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Regressions were used to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Results. A significant relationship was found between televised aggression and social adjustment problems of adolescents with hearing impairment. Pornographic addiction has a significant relationship with social adjustment of adolescents with hearing impairment. Also, there were joint contributions of televised aggression and pornographic addiction to social adjustment of adolescents with hearing impairment in South-west Nigeria. Conclusion. Parents are admonished to monitor their adolescents with hearing impairment in a bid to censor the kinds of television programmes and print media materials they engage in because they also undergo the same developmental process as adolescents without hearing impairment.

An Estimation of Haemoglobin Variants Among Patients Attending A Tertiary Hospital In South West Nigeria

Background: Globally, hemoglobinopathies, which are genetic diseases of hemoglobin production, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. African communities make up a sizable portion of the population that is susceptible to a variety of erythrocyte genetic and homological illnesses. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and spectrum of hemoglobin variants among patients attending a tertiary hospital in South West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study research was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were recruited from the hospital department clinics and tested at Department of Haematology, Faculty of basic medical science. Blood will be drawn via venipuncture into tubes that had been treated with the anticoagulant ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) Results: The study show the frequency and gender distribution of different forms of haemoglobin (Hb) among the subjects; Hb AA 264; HbAS 60; HbAC 6; HbSC 8 and HbSS 12. Of the 350 subjects studied, 106 were males, while 244 were females. Among the male subjects, 85 were HbAA, 12 were HbAS; 2 were HbAC; 3 were HbSC and 4 were HbSS. Among the female subjects, 179 were HbAA, 48 were HbAS; 4 were HbAC; 5 were HbSC and 8 were HbSS. The study shows the frequency of the fetal hemoglobin among the Hb SS patients in the study based on age range. 50% of the participants with fetal hemoglobin were between 10-15 years, 25% were between 16-20 years, 8.3% were between 21-25 years, 8.4% were between 31-35 years and 8.3 % were between 36-40 years Conclusion: The study showed increased prevalence of various hemoglobin variants. Awareness should be created at religious centers, schools on the importance of genotype testing. As a preventative precaution. We advise the implementation of mutation identification and carrier screening.

Security Matters and Academic Staff Service Delivery in Southwest, Nigerian Universities

The study examined the relationship between security matters and academic staff service delivery in Southwest Nigeria universities. It determined the levels of academic staff service delivery and the level of security in Southwest Nigeria universities. The study adopted the descriptive survey research and correlational research designs. The population of the study comprised of all the 8724 academic staff in all the 18 Southwest Nigeria universities. The sample for this study was 880 respondents; comprising 800 academic staff and 80 heads of departments from 8 universities in four states in Southwest Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure which involved simple random sampling stratified and proportional stratified ransom sampling was used to select sample for the study. Two sets of instruments tagged. Security matters questionnaire (SMQ) and academic staff service delivery questionnaire [ASSDQ] were used for the study. The two sets of instruments were validated by face, content and construct validity by experts in the department of Educational Management and Test, Measurement and Evaluation and the reliability was ensured using Test-re Test method of reliability with SMQ and ASSDQ yielding reliability coefficients of 0.89 and 0.86 respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts percentage mean and standard deviation were used to answer the general questions while the inferential statistics involving Pearson product moment correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses, all the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The levels of security and academic staff service delivery in Southwest Nigeria University were moderate. The study showed that there was significant relationship between security matters and academic staff service delivery in Southwest; Nigeria universities. It was revealed that terrorism and cultism significantly affected academic staff service delivery. It was recommended that the government and their agencies, the university management should maintain the security of the school by funding the security unit with modern technological gadgets. So as to strengthen the security situations of Southwest Nigeria Universities. There should be policy and regulations against cultism and terrorism in universities which must also be adequately enforced to maintain a safe and secured school environment.

Financial Structure and Business Development in Southwest Nigeria

The challenge of poverty has become widely known in Nigeria. Despite numerous economic development policies and strategic plans intended to eradicate it through the development of highly skilled labor and capital, the country's economy is still rife with social vices that have increased unemployment and led to starvation among the populace. This study examines and analyses the financial structure and business development in southwest Nigeria, driven by two primary research goals: to understand the significance of financing decisions determining entrepreneurial success or failure and to explore the critical factors essential for business survival and those that impact how businesses expand across Southwest Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed with the use of Descriptive Statistics and Partial least squares (PLS). Investigating the impact of financial structure on business development in Southwest Nigeria used a survey that engaged 8,395 established SMEs, representing 36% of all SMEs in the Southwest states of Nigeria. The primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed the importance of reducing this stubborn economic destructor with the help of vital entrepreneurial business finance. This proves that business funding, particularly in southwest Nigeria, may act as an economic stimulant. Thus, the study findings are new and essential as they focus on a region of Nigeria that has not attracted much attention in the world of academia and research. This study closes the critical knowledge gap, providing insights into how regional businesses can develop through effective financial structures. It extends the existing body of knowledge, showing how affordable business financing acts as an economic stimulant to entrepreneurial development and expansion. Thus, this research recommended that business development be well established through well-structured policies, financed, and supported to help address the various social vices.

Clinicopathologic Profile and Review of Breast Cancer Patients in a Resource Limited Setting: The Unimedthc Experience

Background: breast cancer is the commonest cancer found amongst women. It is the leading cause of cancer death in nigerian women. The burden of breast cancer is high among women of all age groups in nigeria. The clinical and pathological presentation of breast cancer among women in ondo state, south west nigeria has its peculiarities with the limited available resources. Objective: to evaluate the clinico-pathological factors of breast cancer. To access the treatment profile and the overall outcome of patients with breast cancer. Design: the study is a descriptive analytical hospital based study from case records of patients attending outpatient clinic at a tertiary hospital facility in akure, ondo state. South west, nigeria. Method: a total of 312 cases were included for the analysis and duration was from march 2013 to april 2018. Data with respect to demographic status, histological status, tumour stage, treatment offered and outcome was collated and collected from the records of patients attending the oncology out- patient clinic at university of medical science teaching hospital akure, ondo state south west nigeria. Result: a total number of 312 patients with breast cancer were analyzed. The most common age group was 33 years to 42 years, with a mean age of 47.8 years. Many of the participants 57.7% had secondary education. 84.3% of the women were married and 35.9% had parity of 3. The commonest histological type is the invasive ductal carcinoma. 4.5% resided outside akure. Many of the participants 44.2% presented with stage 3 of the disease and the commonest site of metastasis was the lungs. Conclusion

Demographic Pattern of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Ondo State South-West Nigeria

Background: The types and proportion of chronic leukemias that is presented in health institutions differ from one another depending on the demographic pattern of patients. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiology pattern of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia CML and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia CLL among patients presented in University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective study with 6-years data (2015-2020) retrieved from patients’ case notes in the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo State. The data retrieved include the age, gender, occupation, locations and date of presentation of patients. Results: A total of 30 cases were seen during the 6-year period of which 17 (56.7%) patients were diagnosed with CML and 13 (43.3%) with CLL. A male: female ratio of 2:1 was found while, the age range of 14 to 85 years was also noted. A prevalence of 20% and 13% of CML and CLL respectively were seen among females while males showed CML and CLL 37% and 30% prevalence respectively. A total of half 15(50%) of the patients are unemployed while a little above one-third 11(37) are single. Conclusion: The study has rekindled our awareness on the rising trend on the epidemiological burden of CML and CLL in the study location and will assist to trigger further investigation into the association between the growing trend and existing possible risk factors in the study location.

Towards school-based mental health programs in Nigeria: the immediate impact of a depression-literacy program among school-going adolescents and their teachers

BackgroundDepression-literacy, which is the foundational requirement for symptom recognition, positive attitude and help-seeking, is poor among adolescents in Nigeria. This study, therefore, aims to determine the impact of a school-based training program on depression-literacy among a cohort of high-school students and their teachers in South-West Nigeria.MethodsAn adapted version of the Break Free from Depression, a 4-module depression awareness curriculum for staff and students, was implemented among students and their teachers. Paired-sample T-test was used to assess the domain-specific (knowledge, attitude, and confidence) impact of the training by comparing the baseline and immediate (within the week of the training) post-scores.ResultsA total of 3098 students and 294 teachers from 21 schools across three states in South-West Nigeria successfully completed the training. There was a significant positive difference (p < 0.05), at post-test, in the knowledge, attitude, and confidence among the students. The same was observed among teachers except for attitude where positive change did not reach significant level (p = 0.06). When statistically significant, the calculated effect size (eta squared) was highest for knowledge (students: 0.07, p = 0.001; teachers: 0.08, p < 0.000) and least for attitude (students: 0.003, p = 0.002 teachers: 0.085, p = 0.06). Multiple regression analyses result showed that the level of pre-scores predicted the magnitude of change in all domains of depression-literacy (p < 0.05) after controlling for age, gender, and type of school among the students, but not for teachers.ConclusionsSchool-based depression-literacy programs can lead to significant positive change in knowledge, attitude, and confidence of students and teachers.

An hedperf assessment of marketing, tourism and entrepreneurship education and graduate unemployment in osun state southwest nigeria

Entrepreneurship drives both industrial and economic development globally. This is particularly true for marketing and tourism in emerging markets. Evidently, marketing/tourism graduates and entrepreneurs (MTGE) stand better chances in these markets.But MTGEs are yet to profitably and effectively scale the unemployment huddles in Nigeria. This study attempts a qualitative adaptation of Abdullah’s (2006) HEdPERF and Sultan and Wong’s (2011) core quality dimensions to understand why MTGEs are still unable to scale the unemployment huddles. The study posits first that the current perceptions of Marketing, tourism and entrepreneurship education (MTEE) are rather mistaken; MTEE perceptions and expectations are incongruent. Secondly,currents attempts are synonymous with learning to walk before crawling. Thirdly, there are largely mismatches between taught skills and actual market demand. Urgent steps like diligent stock taking, conscientiously imbibing relevant vocations and skills at early learning ages, change in mind set and keenly supervised capacity building programmes for teachers/trainers are suggested.Above all, complete overhaul of the Nigerian entrepreneurship education curricula is deemed prudent. Thus do we submit that we may sow good seeds of MTEE on fertile land and move away from the entrapment of a mono-product economy.

EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIVELIHOOD ACTIVITIES OF ARTISANAL FISHERFOLKS IN COASTAL AREAS OF SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

The effect of climate change on livelihood activities of artisanal fisher folks was carried out in coastal areas of Southwest Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 422 respondents. Data were obtained with the use of structured interviewed schedule and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Results indicated that 80.8% of the fisher folks were between 31-50 years of age, 92.6% were married, 82.7% had 16 years and above fishing experience. Also, 96.9% of fisher folks do not have access to extension services. Majority (97.2%), (85.8%) and (84.8%) experienced intensity rainfall, flooding, and ocean as effect, respectively. There were significant relationships between effect of climate change on livelihood activities of artisanal fisher folks and their age (χ2 = 11.0; P = 0.001), sex (χ2 = 38.5; P = 0.000), marital status (χ2 = 27.9; P = 0.000), house hold size (χ2 = 11.13; P = 0.011) and income (χ2 = 51.94; P = 0.000). Results also showed that there is significant difference in the effect of climate change on livelihood of artisanal fisher folks (F = 13.565; P = 0.000) across the selected States in South West Nigeria. The study concludes that Lagos State fisher folks recorded the highest effect of climate change followed by Ogun State and then Ondo State. The study recommended that extension officer should create awareness on climate change and credit facilities should be accessible to fisher folks with the services of good roads, healthcare and market to facilitate their adaptation to the effect of climate variability in fishing communities across sampled States.

Impact of Tax Enforcement and Tax Penalty on Tax Yield in Southwest Nigeria

The goal of the research was to see how tax enforcement and tax penalty affect tax revenue yield in southwest Nigeria. Tax enforcement and tax penalty are both part of the tax administrators’ programs with a view to improve tax generation. Residents have a natural desire to decrease their tax liabilities by overstating their expenses The attitude of taxpayers in Nigeria has not been encouraging overtime. The rate of tax compliance is abysmally low. The research took place in Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states in southwest Nigeria. The study employed the survey research method, with 302 audit and risk department employees from the State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the study's population. 172 sample size was scientifically obtained through Taro Yamane sampling approach. The researcher devised a closed-ended questionnaire called Tax Administration and Tax Yield (TATY) to collect relevant data for the study. According to the findings, tax enforcement and tax penalty has a significant correlational effect on tax yield in southwest Nigeria, tax administrator should continue to enforce tax laws on taxpayers, and appropriate penalty should be applied consistently on tax defaulters to boost tax generation in the region. Keywords: Tax enforcement, Tax penalty, Tax yield, tax administration, Taxpayers Word Count: 204 DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-6-06 Publication date: March 31 st 2022

Assessment of the incidence and intensity of major cocoa insect pest and Disease in southwest region of Nigeria

A field survey was conducted in the cocoa growing states in Southwest Nigeria in the 2017/2018 year with the objective of assessing the incidence and intensity of diseases and pests affecting cocoa farms in the region. Data were collected by random sampling of 100 trees on three farms in three local government areas of each state. The trees were screened for the presence or absence of insect pests, disease symptoms, parasitic and saprophytic weeds. All the data generated were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics of their various means and reported in percentages. Black pod and the cocoa swollen shoot virus (CSSV) are the primary disease affecting the region with black pod being very severe (51.56%). Major insect pests in the region are cocoa mirid (11.44%), termites (13.16%) and the pod husk borer (7.46%). Mistletoes and moss weed pests were recorded in the region. Management strategies to control the pest and to prevent the transportation of the pest and/or disease material into a state of low incidence should be developed.

The Scourge of Uterine Fibroid among Females: Psycho-sociological Explanations from Lagos and Ondo States in South-west Nigeria

Uterine fibroid and ovarian cyst has become the prevailing scourges modern Nigerian women must contend with. Fibroid tumor is usually benign, comprising of muscle tissues that are non-cancerous. It can have different symptoms, depending on whether it is located in, on, or within the walls of the womb. Often times, this problem is threatened by inappropriate and even ignorant medical attention and/or medical diagnoses that miss the real health problems. In this sociological study of the body, the paper seeks to examine the causes of uterine fibroid among females in relation to high-stress, diet, quality of life, emotional, and environmental inter play within the cultural context of the study. The study by extension, relates the growth of fibroid to the pervasive poverty level in Nigeria. This study employs participant observation and in-depth interview methods involving 60 women between, the ages of 20-56years that were purposively selected. Based on the adage in medicine that “good girls have fibrous, bad girls have babies”, this paper submits that the poor elimination of congestion and nervous system imbalances, nutritional, emotional imbalances as a result of the impinging factors inherent in the socio-cultural environment and psycho-sociological related problems and poverty are responsible for the prevalence of cases of fibroid among Nigerian women. The paper then recommends a holistic approach, ranging from wholesome nutrition, family/spousal support, calisthenics, emotional “coolness” in most situations, and provision of proper medical facilities by the Government, as a necessary criterion to removing the “diseased body” (of women) from the politics of exclusion.

The Sustainability Solution of Earth as Buildings material: Case of Gbongan Rural communities in Osun State south west Nigeria

The sustainability of earth as building material cannot be overemphasised with proven superior performance at the specified criteria. This research addresses the analysis of the sustainability criteria present in a sample of 120 cases of traditional earth building at Gbongan rural area in Osun state Nigeria, as locally produced and sourced material, reduced transport cost and environmental impact among others. The focus group of professional especially architect and builders were organized to coordinate the study process, ensuring adequate evaluations of issues that can facilitate sustainability of earth as a building material. Their recommendations are evaluated and classified according to physical attributes of earth as sustainable building material: twelve prevailing factors facilitating sustainability of earth as building material were identified. The sustainability solution of earth as building material were discussed which include local employment opportunity for socio economic development. The paper then concludes on some sustainability strategies known with the earth over the year as productive and effective building material.

Awareness and perception of climate change by smallholder farmers in two agroecological zones of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria

Awareness and perception of climate change by smallholder farmers in two agroecological zones of Oyo state Southwest Nigeria

Socio-Economic Challenges Affecting Construction Women Labourers (WCLs) in The Nigerian Construction Sector (NCS)

Women constitute about half of the population of Nigeria and thus a critical mass in the human capital of the country. They make significant contributions to social and economic development of the society, yet they are never appreciated nor supported by public or private institutions. Recently there have been a growing number of women in construction labour work in the Nigerian Construction Sector (NCS) - an area hitherto exclusively preserved of the male folks. This study investigates aspects of social and economic conditions of women construction labourers (WCLs) in Ondo State Southwest Nigeria. Convenience and Snowball sampling were used to sample 101 WCLs. Simple descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The result indicates that most WCLs are low in education and skills hence they mostly participate in supportive roles that are energetic. The WCLs are exposed to multiple risks due to poor Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), welfare and social protection of Nigerian Construction Contractors (NCCs) in the informal construction sub sector of the NCS. The study recommends for the improvement and enforcement of HSE standards, welfare package and training in the NCS.

THE USAGE OF WEB TOOLS IN EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY AMONG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

The advent of Covid-19 pandemic has contributed meaningfully to ICT in terms of its relevance, those that deal with communication like agricultural extension had no choice than to flow with the current trend of communicating with their clientele with the use of certain ICT tools such as the web-based tools. This enables a free flow and continuous contact with the farmers on updated information that is useful for agricultural productivity. The study therefore was conducted to assess the usage of web tools among the agricultural extension workers in south-west Nigeria, the study was carried out to: examine the socioeconomic characteristics of extension workers, determine the extension workers on the usage of web tools in disseminating agricultural information and constraints facing the usage of web tools in disseminating of agricultural information. The study was carried out in three out of the three states in Southwest Nigeria. Oyo, Ekiti and Osun were used and multi-stage sampling techniques was adopted. Primary data were collected and analyze using descriptive. The findings also show that respondents are high using of most the web tools such as facebook, whatapps, tiwtter etc for disseminate agricultural information to the farmers. Furthermore, the findings show that web tools usage has crucial role to play in promoting quality extension delivery, best agronomy practices and promoting new generation agriculture and make agriculture more lucrative and sustainable as well as improving livelihood in Nigeria. However, some constraints were identified with the use of web tools during the period of carrying out this study, such constraints are: poor internet coverage, lack of awareness of information sources available and untimely provision of information, high cost, complex to use, it requires special types of devices to use some of the webtools etc. The study therefore concludes that if the constraints faced was solves then the level of usage webtools will increase and enhance agricultural productivity. However, the study recommended that both agricultural extension workers needs to be trained on almost all the identified web tools.

THE USAGE OF WEB TOOLS IN EXTENSION SERVICE DELIVERY AMONG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

The advent of Covid-19 pandemic has contributed meaningfully to ICT in terms of its relevance, those that deal with communication like agricultural extension had no choice than to flow with the current trend of communicating with their clientele with the use of certain ICT tools such as the web-based tools. This enables a free flow and continuous contact with the farmers on updated information that is useful for agricultural productivity. The study therefore was conducted to assess the usage of web tools among the agricultural extension workers in south-west Nigeria, the study was carried out to: examine the socioeconomic characteristics of extension workers, determine the extension workers on the usage of web tools in disseminating agricultural information and constraints facing the usage of web tools in disseminating of agricultural information. The study was carried out in three out of the three states in Southwest Nigeria. Oyo, Ekiti and Osun were used and multi-stage sampling techniques was adopted. Primary data were collected and analyze using descriptive. The findings also show that respondents are high using of most the web tools such as facebook, whatapps, tiwtter etc for disseminate agricultural information to the farmers. Furthermore, the findings show that web tools usage has crucial role to play in promoting quality extension delivery, best agronomy practices and promoting new generation agriculture and make agriculture more lucrative and sustainable as well as improving livelihood in Nigeria. However, some constraints were identified with the use of web tools during the period of carrying out this study, such constraints are: poor internet coverage, lack of awareness of information sources available and untimely provision of information, high cost, complex to use, it requires special types of devices to use some of the webtools etc. The study therefore concludes that if the constraints faced was solves then the level of usage webtools will increase and enhance agricultural productivity. However, the study recommended that both agricultural extension workers needs to be trained on almost all the identified web tools.