Nigeria

Highlighting the Social and Economic Consequences of Conflict, Insecurity, Banditry, and Kidnapping in Nigeria (Published)

The article highlighted the social and economic consequences of conflict, insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping in Nigeria using a systematic review method. Relevant information, ranging between 2015 and 2024 were sought for through google scholar, google, and other search engines to explore several secondary sources such as journal articles, books/e-books, databases of publishers, websites, and others. The PEO and SPIDER framework were used to develop the search strategy and to inform the search process and strategy. The information was subjected to data extraction, and the thematic analysis was used to analyse the materials and findings were provided and presented to further achieve the research aims of the article. The findings revealed that there is an increasing rate of conflict, insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping in Nigeria. Also, this has posed social and economic consequences on people and the nation at large. In addition, this could also affect social and economic development of the nation in the long run. The article recommends that the government should set up and establish emergency response mechanisms, such as hotlines and response teams, to provide immediate support to victims of conflicts, insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping.

Keywords: Conflict, Insecurity, Nigeria, banditry, economic consequences, kidnapping, social consequences

Assessment of Housing Supply and Underlying Factors of Provision in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria (Published)

This study assesses the current state of housing supply and explores the underlying factors influencing housing provision in urban Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. As Abuja experiences rapid population growth and urbanisation, the demand for adequate and affordable housing has intensified. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 206 housing providers across Phases 2 and 3 of the city through structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that the organised private sector dominates housing supply (82.9%), while public-private partnerships and federal government initiatives contribute significantly less. Providers’ discretion emerged as the most influential factor (44.2%) in housing design and delivery, followed by economic considerations (28.2%), with limited regard for residents’ preferences or affordability. These dynamics point to a supply-driven housing market that prioritises profitability over user needs, contributing to a growing disconnect between housing provision and socio-cultural realities. The study calls for inclusive, evidence-based housing policies that integrate user preferences, discourage speculative development, and promote culturally responsive urban planning in Abuja’s housing sector.

Keywords: Affordability, Housing Supply, Nigeria, culturally responsive planning, urban Abuja

Security Management in Nigerian Secondary Schools: Focus on Ebonyi State (Published)

The study investigated security management in secondary schools in Nigeria with particular reference to Ebonyi State secondary schools. The design of the study was descriptive survey research design. Included in the study’s population are 1,519 secondary school principals and teachers from Ebonyi State. Stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents for the study. The instrument for data collection was a 20-item researcher developed questionnaire on a four-point scale; with Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD) response pattern weighted 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. The questionnaire was duly validated by one experts in Educational Administration and Planning and two from Educational Measurement and Evaluation all from Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. Using the test-retest procedure and applying the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient analysis, the reliability of the instrument was established at 0.97 using schools in Enugu State. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviations, t-test statistics was used to test the hypothesis at 0.0.5 level of significance. Agreement was defined as mean scores of 2.50 or above, while disagreement was defined as scores below 2.50. Findings of the stud are that there are no security devices available for security improvement in Ebonyi State Secondary Schools; there are ways of improving staff security and measures for security of school plants. Based on the findings, some recommendations such as government should provide security devices and that government should encourage individuals and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to beef up the security measures in managing the school plants in secondary schools in their area

Keywords: Ebonyi State, Management, Nigeria, Security, schools

Brain Drain-Brain Gain Debate: The Missing Link (Published)

The debate on brain drains and brain gain remains central to migration discussions, particularly in Nigeria and Africa. This study explored the missing link between the two by reviewing literature conceptually, theoretically, and empirically. Based in the Neo-Classical Theory of Migration, it highlights migration as a rational response to wage and opportunity gaps while emphasizing circular migration’s role in balancing labour markets and fostering development. Key push factors driving migration in Nigeria include poverty, unemployment, insecurity, poor governance, political instability, a weak education sector, corruption, and economic hardship. These factors compel skilled professionals to seek opportunities abroad, leading to brain drain and its negative impacts, such as weakened healthcare and education systems, loss of innovation, and economic stagnation. However, migrants often face challenges in host countries, including underemployment, non-recognition of qualifications, legal hurdles, and socio-economic struggles, forcing many into low-skilled jobs. This study identifies brain circulation as the crucial link between brain drain and brain gain. By facilitating knowledge, skills, and resource exchange between home and host countries, brain circulation enables contributions to development without requiring permanent return. To transform brain, drains into an opportunity for growth, Nigeria and Africa should implement strategic policies that harness brain circulation for innovation, economic progress, and sustainable development.

Keywords: Africa, Migration, Nigeria, Unemployment, brain drain

Stipulations of the Nigerian Language Policy and the Implementation of the Use of the Language of The Immediate Environment as Language of Instruction in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria (Published)

The study aimed at investigating the stipulations of the Nigerian Language Policy and the implementation of the use of language of the immediate environment as a language of instruction in the upper basic schools in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. To guide this study, three research questions were answered. The design of the study was a descriptive survey design. The population comprised 978 upper basic/junior secondary school students in Izzi Local Government Area. The sample constituted of one hundred (100) students randomly drawn from the twenty-two (22) public secondary schools in Izzi L.G.A. stratified under urban and rural schools. A twenty-one (21) questionnaire items were constructed and used in collecting the needed information. Mean and Standard Deviation were used for data analysis. The findings showed that language of immediate environment of the child was not used in teaching the students in the area, and the challenges faced in the implementation of language policy included: Government inability to develop orthography of many more Nigerian Languages, lack of textbooks written in the child’s language of the immediate environment. Based on these findings, recommendations were made some of which were that Government should develop orthography of many more Nigerian Languages, textbooks should be written in the child’s language of immediate environment and that teachers who teach these languages should be trained.

Keywords: Ebonyi State, Implementation, Izzi local government, Language of Instruction, Nigeria, Nigerian language policy, immediate environment, use of the language

Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth Nexus: The Nigeria Experience (Published)

This study examined the impact of government infrastructural development on transportation (IFDT), road (IFDR), water (IFDW) and telecommunication (ITEL) as they influence the growth process of the Nigerian economy, proxy by real GDP (RGDP), from 1990 to 2023. Data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin (various issues), World Development Indicators (WDI), and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Four models were estimated to capture the influence of infrastructure development on GDP growth. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Phillips Perron (PP) unit root tests were conducted to ascertain the level of stationarity of the series. Descriptive statistics and econometric methods of Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model and Granger causality estimation tests were conducted to examine the long run relationship of the series.The analysis revealed that infrastructure development on transport services (IFDT) was positive and significant in explaining changes in real GDP of Nigeria. However, Infrastructure development on road (IFDR), water (IFDW) and telecommunication (ITEL) were negative and not significant in explaining changes in Nigeria’s real GDP within the study period. On this basis therefore, the study concludes that there is no long run relationship between the dependent variable (RGDP) and the explanatory variables (IFDT, IFDR, IFDW and ITEL). It was recommended that the government, in partnership with the private sector, should increase her investment in the provision of infrastructural facilities that are reliable, durable and affordable to the people, as this will not just reduce the cost of doing business but also attract foreign investors into the country. Proper and dedicated maintenance culture of existing infrastructure facilities should be prioritized as this will save government huge amount that can be channeled into other areas of development.

 

Keywords: Infrastructure development on water, Nigeria, Road, economic growth, telecommunication

The Effects of Government Expenditure on Education and Health on Nigeria Economic Growth (Published)

This study examined the effects of government recurrent and capital health and education expenditure on the growth process of the Nigerian economy from 1980 to 2022, using the ECM test approach to cointegration. Annual data were sourced from the National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin and World Bank Indicators (various issues). The Augmented Dickey Fuller test was used to check the level of stationarity while the ECM test to cointegration was adopted to justify the long-run relationship. The existence of a positive relationship was found between government health and education expenditure and RGDP growth of the Nigerian economy. Therefore, an improved health sector due to increased budgetary allocation would trigger a positive growth on the educational sector. The study recommends that for quality human capital development, the government should increased her spending on health and education and ensure that policies are implemented with high level of transparency, honesty and accountabilty, in Nigeria. Furthermore, an increase in government spending on the anti-corruption agencies would encourage the arrest and prosecution of those who divert and embezzle public funds in the country.

 

Keywords: Education, Government Expenditure, Health, Nigeria, economic growth

The Impact of Agricultural Sector Development on Employment in Nigeria (Published)

This study examined the nexus between agricultural sector development and employment in Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2022. The Johanson Cointegration technique was used to establish the cointegrating relationship among the variables. It was revealed that long run relationship exists among the variables in the estimated model. The results of the Error Correction Mechanism showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between agricultural sector development and employment in Nigeria. It is concluded from the findings that agricultural sector development   has a positive and significant impact on employment in Nigeria. The study recommends that there should more public-private partnership in the agricultural sector so that the sector can be developed rapidly through the supply of inputs, finance, infrastructures, market access among others to provide the linkages to the industrial sector so as to create the required employment in agricultural, industrial and other sectors of the economy. More funds should be injected into the agricultural sector to modernize the sector so that it can be made attractive to unemployed graduates to go into small and medium scale enterprises which is regarded as a veritable source of employment generation globally. Government should ban food import, backed by right policies to encourage local food production and processing of our local agricultural products.

Keywords: ECM, Employment, Granger Causality, Nigeria, agricultural sector development

#Hashtags to the Rescue: A Case Study of Nigeria (Published)

This research article investigates the significance of hashtag activism in driving socio-political change, focusing on Nigeria. Despite Nigeria’s reputation as having one of the most accessible press systems in Africa, the country’s media has faced consistent targeting and censorship by past and present governments. Journalists have been arrested, exiled, and even murdered, highlighting the need for alternative platforms for public expression. Hashtag activism has emerged as a powerful tool for Nigerian youths to voice their concerns, hold the government accountable, and mobilise for collective action. This research examines the impact and effectiveness of hashtag activism in Nigeria, highlighting its potential to elicit much-needed change from the government. Participants critically reflect on hashtag activism’s efficacy in enhancing marginalised voices’ visibility, fostering awareness about pertinent issues, and galvanising concerted efforts towards social change. These observations underscore the need for a well-rounded strategy integrating online and offline techniques to facilitate enduring transformation. The use of hashtag activism, as elucidated by participants’ viewpoints, functions as both a mechanism and a first step towards substantial social change in Nigeria.

Keywords: Nigeria, Social media, government responsiveness., hashtag activism, social change, youth activism

Assessment of Religious Organisations’ Corporate Social Responsibility During the COVID-19 Lockdown in the South-South Nigeria (Published)

This study was designed to assess religious organisation’s corporate social responsibility efforts and the expectations of their members during the COVID-19 lockdown in the South-South Nigeria. The objectives of this study, among others, were find out the expectations of religious organisations and their corporate social responsibility in conflict/emergency situations. It was hypothesised that the corporate social responsibility initiatives of religious organisations had a positive influence on their corporate image and there is a significant relationship between the corporate social responsibility of religious organisations in South-South Nigeria, during the lockdown and the new membership enrolment. The Hypotheses were tested using the using the Cronbach Alpha on Statistical Packages for Social Science. The study adopted the Stakeholders, System theories as it theoretical bases. The descriptive survey research method was adopted with the questionnaire as the research instrument. The South-South region of Nigeria constituted the population of the study while a simple size of 400 respondents from the Taro Yamane formula were selected. However, 381 questionnaire were returned and certified as appropriate for the study. The study adopted the proportional sampling techniques. The findings of the study revealed that a majority of the respondents (57) percent   received assistance from various religious organisations during the lockdown though there were significant disparities in their areas of interest. The study concluded that the CRS initiatives of the religious organisation positively influenced their images and fostered a sense of care and compassion which led to new member enrolment. It was thus recommended among others that religious organisations should improve the timeliness of their support during emergencies while such initiatives should be carried out with more transparency.

 

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Nigeria, South-South, covid-19 lockdown, religious organisations