2026

The study examined the role of Independent Television (ITV) and Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) in promoting civic education and community development among residents of Benin City. The objectives of the study, were to examine the extent to which Independent Television and Edo Broadcasting Service provide content that promotes civic education among residents of Benin City, assess the perception of Benin City residents regarding the effectiveness of ITV and EBS in enhancing their knowledge of civic duties, governance, and community development initiatives, compare the contributions of a private broadcast station and a state-owned station in promoting civic awareness and community engagement, and identify challenges faced by ITV and EBS in fulfilling their social responsibility mandate. The study was anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory, Agenda-Setting Theory, and Development Media Theory. The researcher adopted a survey research design, with data collected from 400 sampled residents of Benin City, drawn through stratified sampling across seven local government areas, using a structured questionnaire as the research instrument. Findings from the study revealed that ITV provides more consistent civic education content than EBS, with residents frequently encountering civic-related programmes on the station. Secondly, the study discovered that residents perceive ITV as more effective in improving their understanding of civic duties such as voting and civic participation, while EBS is perceived as more effective in improving knowledge of governance and public policies. Thirdly, the findings showed that ITV contributes more strongly to civic awareness and audience engagement, while EBS provides more detailed coverage of community development programmes, indicating that both stations possess distinct but complementary strengths. The study also found that inadequate funding and political influence remain major challenges limiting both stations’ ability to fulfil their social responsibility mandate, among others. Based on the findings, it is concluded that television broadcasting remains an important tool for civic education and community development in Benin City, and that sustained investment, editorial independence, and improved programming are needed for ITV and EBS to maximise their contributions. This study recommended that, both stations should increase the frequency and consistency of civic education programmes and combine them with interactive communication strategies such as phone-in sessions and public forums. ITV should improve its coverage of governance-related issues while EBS improves its programme appeal, and both stations should strengthen credibility and public trust through balanced, independent reporting that keeps civic content focused on public interest rather than political interests.

This project work has attempted to determine the extent to which shale (clays) and silt or siltstones affect porosity, formation water saturation and some other petrophysical properties obtained from data collected from five wells situated in the Brown fields along the coastal swamps in the western onshore region of the Niger -Delta (Brown field). It is established that porosity and permeability of sandstones depends on grain size, sorting, cementation and compaction and these parameters are significantly affected by significant presence of shale (clay) and silt in the formation. Shale formations are believed to be fine-grained, loose and flexible mixtures of clay-sized or colloidal particles. These fine-grained particles affect porosity, which is the percentage of void spaces in the overall rock volume. The work evaluated relevant well and reservoir parameters of interest with respect to the various depths of reservoir sands and correlated wells, using its findings to confirm trends conformable to Niger - Delta basin oil and gas reservoirs. The porosity of the different units of reservoir sands showed variation laterally with porosity values decreasing with a combination of increasing reservoir depth and average shale volume. Consequently, permeability was observed to decrease with increasing depth, though sand Z has high permeability values than sands X and Y lying several feet above it. The reservoir sands X, Y and Z have slightly reduced porosity and permeability due to high volume of clays (shales) and silts (siltstones) often associated with the environment. The porosities of the reservoir sands are good to very good; their permeability moderate to good with high and widespread oil and gas accumulation throughout the Brown field. The hydrocarbon resources are considered exploitable for profit.

Drilling fluids play a critical role in the success of oil and gas drilling operations, yet the Nigerian petroleum industry relies heavily on imported bentonite and additives for drilling mud formulation, leading to high operational costs and foreign exchange losses. This study evaluates the suitability of selected locally sourced clays from Iyi-Ogene, Okuaghe, and Ikpoba deposits in Delta and Edo States, Nigeria, for use in water-based drilling mud formulation. Laboratory-scale drilling muds were prepared using raw and chemically activated clays, with sodium carbonate employed as the activating agent and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) used as a viscosifier and fluid-loss control additive. Standard American Petroleum Institute (API) procedures were adopted to determine key drilling mud properties, including density, rheological parameters (plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point, and gel strength), filtrate loss, and pH. The results show that untreated local clays exhibited poor rheological behavior and excessive fluid loss, making them unsuitable for direct drilling applications. However, significant improvements were observed after chemical activation and polymer treatment, with several formulated mud samples meeting acceptable API performance criteria. The study demonstrates that locally sourced clays, when properly activated and enhanced with suitable additives, can serve as viable alternatives to imported bentonite for water-based drilling mud formulation. The findings highlight the potential for cost reduction, improved local resource utilization, and increased sustainability in Nigeria’s drilling operations.

This study presents an integrated production-optimization assessment of a mature, high-water-cut reservoir in the Niger Delta. The aim was to evaluate and compare artificial-lift strategies and system-level interventions to restore economic oil production and extend field life. A validated modeling workflow coupling MBAL (material-balance), PROSPER (well performance and artificial-lift design) and GAP (surface-network optimization) was developed and history-matched to 1987–2004 field data, revealing strong aquifer support and persistent water cuts (~80%). Scenarios examined natural flow, gas lift, and electric submersible pump (ESP) implementations with nodal and sensitivity analyses (IPR/VLP matching, PVT calibration, and network constraints). Results show natural flow is insufficient under present conditions; gas lift yields modest gains (≈720 STB/day total liquid, ~144–177 bbls oil/day) with moderate gas requirements, while ESPs can deliver substantially higher liquid and oil rates (pump-design rates up to ~3,800–4,300 RB/day and oil production improvements), albeit with higher power, gas-handling, and reliability considerations. Integrated GAP analysis highlights surface constraints and water-handling costs as decisive economic drivers. Recommendations include staged pilot deployment (ESP where power and conditions permit; gas lift where gas is abundant), targeted diagnostics and zonal shut-off, surface-network upgrades, and ongoing model re-calibration. The study demonstrates the value of coupled reservoir–well–surface workflows for optimizing mature, high-water-cut assets.

The accurate measurement of crude oil during custody transfer is a critical determinant of revenue assurance and operational efficiency in the oil and gas industry. In the Niger Delta, where fiscal losses from measurement inaccuracies and operational inefficiencies are acute, optimizing Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) systems becomes a strategic imperative. This study aims to optimize LACT system performance by enhancing measurement accuracy and operational efficiency, with specific focus on the Nigerian context. Employing a novel dual-methodology approach, the research first conducts a meter drift simulation to model the financial impact of calibration decay on a turbine meter, evaluating four proving strategies: annual, quarterly, monthly, and predictive. Second, it utilizes machine learning techniques, specifically Random Forest regression, on a dataset from a Port Harcourt LACT unit to model the relationship between operational parameters (pressure, temperature, API gravity) and flow rate, identifying optimal conditions for throughput maximization. The findings reveal profound financial implications. The current industry practice of annual proving results in an estimated annual loss of $10.48 million per LACT unit. A shift to predictive proving could reduce this loss by 99.5%, saving approximately $10.43 million annually. The machine learning model (R² = 0.716) identified operating pressure as the most significant parameter influencing flow rate and pinpointed an optimal operational window (Pressure: 75.3 psi, Temperature: 92.2°F) that can improve flow rates by over 10.5% compared to sub-optimal conditions. The study concludes that significant optimization potential exists through data-driven strategies. It provides a clear, actionable roadmap for operators and regulators, recommending an immediate transition to quarterly proving and the adoption of setpoint optimization, with a long-term view towards predictive maintenance and digital integration. This research demonstrates that leveraging operational data and modern analytical techniques is key to safeguarding national revenue, enhancing transparency, and achieving operational excellence in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

This study examines the influence of corporate governance practices on green reporting among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria, with a focus on the industrial goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). Specifically, the study focused on how board independence, board financial expertise, audit committee meetings, and board gender diversity affects green reporting by the sampled firms. The study adopted a longitudinal research design and covered a ten-year period from 2015 to 2024. Census sampling was employed, covering all thirteen (13) industrial goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX). The secondary panel data were obtained from the annual reports of the sampled companies. After expunging the firm-years with incomplete information, a final panel dataset used for the analysis amounted to 119 firm-year observations. The unbalanced panel data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and binary logistic regression. The results indicated that board independence has a small and negative effect on green reporting. On the other hand, board financial expertise and meetings of the audit committee have a positive and important effect on green reporting. The study also found that board gender diversity has a positive but insignificant effect on green reporting. Based on these findings, the study recommends that listed manufacturing firms strengthen board competence through the inclusion of financially knowledgeable directors and encourage more active audit committee engagement in sustainability-related matters. The study also recommends the establishment of sustainability-focused governance structures to enhance green reporting practices and corporate accountability.

This study examined the influence of sound office and record management on school administration in public secondary schools in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The purpose of the study was to explore the significance and role of effective office and record management in the administration of secondary schools, with particular attention to teachers in the Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Four research questions were raised. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 400 teachers and a sample of 80 teachers was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Office and Record Management Practices Questionnaire (ORMPQ), which was validated by experts in Educational Administration and Measurement and Evaluation. The findings revealed that sound office management positively influences administrative effectiveness through improved communication, information flow, and coordination of activities. School location was also found to influence record management practices, with urban schools demonstrating relatively better practices than rural schools. Major challenges identified included poor filing systems, inadequate office facilities, insufficient record-keeping materials, and inadequate staff training. Based on the findings of the analysis, the following recommendation were made: among other things, that government should provide adequate funding for record management facilities, that school administrators should enforce clear record management policies, and that regular training programmes should be organised for teachers on modern office and record management techniques.

Due to industrialization, population growth and urbanization in Yenagoa and environs, anthropogenic activities are increasing daily and could introduce contaminants into soil and water resources.This study evaluated the causes, distribution, and environmental effects of heavy metal pollution in groundwater, surface water, and soil in Yenagoa and environs, Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria. The study sought to compare concentrations with control values for soil, surface and ground water, and regulatory standards (WHO and NSDWQ) for groundwater, as well as assess the degree and variability of heavy metal pollution across various anthropogenic sites, including waste disposal sites, mechanic shops, cassava mills, and areas affected by crude oil spills. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) samples were randomly collected for each season, including 77 soil samples depth 30cm and 35 surface and ground water samples. These samples were then evaluated using standard laboratory technique, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) during both the wet and dry seasons. Soil contamination levels were measured using pollution indicators such the Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), and groundwater quality was assessed in relation to allowable limits. Results showed that all site types exhibited elevated concentrations of key heavy metals including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V). Crude oil spill sites recorded the highest soil contamination, with lead reaching 15.354 mg/kg and

Due to industrialization, population growth and urbanization in Yenagoa and environs, anthropogenic activities are increasing daily and could introduce contaminants into soil and water resources.This study evaluated the causes, distribution, and environmental effects of heavy metal pollution in groundwater, surface water, and soil in Yenagoa and environs, Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria. The study sought to compare concentrations with control values for soil, surface and ground water, and regulatory standards (WHO and NSDWQ) for groundwater, as well as assess the degree and variability of heavy metal pollution across various anthropogenic sites, including waste disposal sites, mechanic shops, cassava mills, and areas affected by crude oil spills. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) samples were randomly collected for each season, including 77 soil samples depth 30cm and 35 surface and ground water samples. These samples were then evaluated using standard laboratory technique, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) during both the wet and dry seasons. Soil contamination levels were measured using pollution indicators such the Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), and groundwater quality was assessed in relation to allowable limits. Results showed that all site types exhibited elevated concentrations of key heavy metals including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V). Crude oil spill sites recorded the highest soil contamination, with lead reaching 15.354 mg/kg and

Social isolation among older adults has emerged as a significant public health concern globally. The Study indicates that elevated levels of social isolation correlate with negative health outcomes, including increased death rates and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. In Nigeria, older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to globalization and industrialization and migration of family member that adversely affect their well-being. This study examines the impact of social isolation on the well-being of older adults in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, using phenomenological research design. Twenty one Respondents aged 65 years and above were purposively selected. Data gathered was analysed using thematic and content analyses Findings reveal that social isolation adversely affects multiple dimensions of older adults' lives, including their social interactions, mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life. The study equally reveal that. Older adult in Egor are at risk of social isolation because of some prevailing situations that revolve around their well-being, and such pathetic situations have contributed to their vulnerability. The study recommends establishment of local community centres or social clubs specifically for older persons, where they can engage in regular social, recreational, and educational activities. These programmes can reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance emotional well-being by fostering a sense of belonging and social connection.