2026

This study examined the impact of salesman behavioural characteristics on the performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the effect of assertive behaviour, manipulative behaviour, and passive behaviour on SME sales performance. A survey research design was adopted, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to SME operators and sales personnel in Egor, Ovia North East, and Oredo Local Government Areas of Edo State. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to respondents using a simple random sampling technique, out of which 89 were successfully retrieved and found valid for analysis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyze the data and test the stated hypotheses. The findings revealed that assertive behaviour has a positive and significant influence on SME sales performance, while manipulative and passive behaviours negatively affect sales outcomes and customer trust. The study concludes that the behavioural disposition of salesmen is a critical determinant of SME performance. It recommends that SME owners prioritize behavioural-based recruitment, continuous sales training, and motivational strategies aimed at fostering assertive and ethical sales practices to enhance enterprise sustainability and contribute to economic development in Nigeria..

Emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition are essential competencies required for effective nursing education and professional practice. This study examined the correlation between emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition among nursing students at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. A cross-sectional correlational design was adopted, and a total of 255 students from 200 to 500 levels were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using validated structured questionnaires measuring emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition. Analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means were used, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation served as the inferential statistical tool. Findings showed that the majority of participants were female (77.6%), with a mean age of 21.6 ± 3.26 years, and most respondents (94.1%) had a GPA of 3.0 and above. Emotional intelligence levels were generally high, with 52.16% of respondents scoring in the high category, 36.08% in the moderate category, and 11.76% in the low category. The overall mean emotional intelligence score was 55.9 ± 12.7. Critical thinking disposition also ranked high among respondents, with 52.55% classified as high, 33.73% moderate, and 13.73% low. The overall mean score for critical thinking disposition was 117.3 ± 33.2. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant positive relationships between all dimensions of emotional intelligence and critical thinking disposition, with correlation coefficients ranging from r = +0.185 to r = +0.212 (p < 0.01). Overall emotional intelligence also showed a weak but significant positive correlation with critical thinking disposition (r = +0.210; p = 0.003), leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that higher emotional intelligence is associated with a stronger disposition toward critical thinking among nursing students, underscoring the need for educational strategies that promote both emotional and cognitive development within nursing training.

The influence of social media on youth behavior has become a major concern, particularly regarding its role in promoting drug abuse. This study investigates how social media contributes to drug use among youths in General Ovia North East, Edo State, focusing on the relationship between exposure to online content, peer interactions, and drug-related behaviors. The objectives were to determine the types of social media content that influence drug use, examine the role of peer pressure in online spaces, and assess youths’ awareness of the risks associated with substance abuse. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to capture a holistic understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected from youths aged 15–30 years, using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. Quantitative findings indicate a significant correlation between high social media usage and increased susceptibility to drug abuse, while qualitative insights reveal that peer influence, online trends, and social validation strongly affect youths’ attitudes toward drug experimentation. Additionally, many respondents perceive drug use as socially normalized within certain online communities.
The study concludes that social media plays a critical role in shaping youth behaviors, both directly through exposure to drug-related content and indirectly through peer influence. Recommendations include the implementation of targeted awareness campaigns, parental supervision, and policy interventions to mitigate the negative impact of social media on youths. This research provides valuable evidence for public health practitioners, educators, and community leaders in designing strategies to prevent and reduce drug abuse among youths in Edo State and similar communities

Urban markets in Benin City function as vital economic spaces and cultural landmarks that reflect community identity, traditional practices and social interaction. Recent modernization efforts across Nigerian cities have focused heavily on physical redevelopment, often neglecting the cultural significance and spatial dynamics that shape these markets. This study examines the relationship between urban market revitalization and cultural sustainability in selected markets in Benin City—Oba Market, Uselu Market, Ekosodin Market, Orgie-Ode Market. Using a mixed- methods approach, data were collected from 100 respondents through questionnaires, interviews, field observations and photographs. Findings indicate major infrastructural and organizational challenges, including inadequate drainage, sanitation, security and spatial planning, which affect market efficiency and user
experience. Despite these issues, traders and users maintain strong cultural attachment to the markets, underscoring their historical and symbolic importance. The study concludes that revitalization strategies must integrate cultural preservation with infrastructural improvement to ensure sustainable and socially inclusive market renewal. Recommendations emphasize participatory planning, heritage-sensitive design and improved governance frameworks.

The demand for healthcare services continue to increase as population increases, hence there is a high rate of demand for healthcare services globally. Nigeria is not immune to the high demand for healthcare services, which poses a significant challenge to tackle and it has resulted into having healthcare workers working overtime, longer and irregular hours in a bid to render satisfactory services to the citizens. This study investigated the relationship between flexible work initiatives and healthcare service delivery in five major public hospitals in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Anchored on a cross-sectional survey design, Data were gathered from healthcare professionals through structured questionnaire and in-depth interview to provide both quantitative and qualitative insights. Five hundred and forty one (541) healthcare workers were selected through stratified random
sampling from five public hospitals in Benin City. The study employed descriptive and inferential statistics, particularly the repeated measure Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Chi-Square Goodness of fit test, to test five hypotheses and examined key thematic areas. All five null hypotheses were rejected using Chi-square goodness-of-fit and ANOVA tests, confirming that flexible work initiatives significantly influence healthcare service delivery. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between flexible work initiatives and healthcare service delivery. Respondents strongly agreed that Flexible Work Initiatives (FWIs) positively influenced healthcare service quality (p < 0.05). Among the types of FWIs examined, shift work was the most widely practised and highly rated (mean = 3.47), followed by job sharing (mean = 3.00), while compressed work weeks received the lowest rating (mean = 2.53). Key enhancing factors included supportive organisational culture, clear policies, and effective communication, whereas the major challenges were acute staff shortages, high patient demand, and complex medical cases. Statistical value revealed that employee-centred strategies, stakeholder engagement, and teamwork are the most effective ways to overcome implementation barriers. It concluded that properly designed and supported flexible work initiatives—especially shift work—can enhance service quality and staff performance, in
resource-constrained public hospitals. The study recommendation included urgent recruitment of healthcare personnel, and adoption of employee-centred policies.

This study examined “the role of counsellor in preventing drug abuse among senior secondary school adolescent in Edo state”, with particular focus on Egor Local Government Area. Drug abuse among adolescents has become a growing public health and educational concern due to its negative effects on students’ academic performance, behaviour, emotional stability, and social development. The study sought to determine the prevalence of drug abuse among students, assess their level of awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, examine the impact of counselling services on drug abuse prevention, and investigate whether sex differences exist in
how counselling influences prevention efforts. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 5,788 senior secondary school students (SS1–SS3) in the 12 public senior secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. From this population, a sample of 200 students was
selected using an appropriate sampling technique. Data were collected using 200 copies of a structured questionnaire developed by the researcher. The instrument was validated by experts in Guidance and Counselling, and its reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, which yielded a coefficient of 0.78, indicating good internal consistency. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that the prevalence of drug abuse among senior secondary school students,
though not extremely high, remains a significant concern. While many students showed awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse, awareness alone was not sufficient to completely prevent involvement. The study also found that counselling services play an important role in preventing drug abuse by providing guidance, emotional support, awareness programmes, and early intervention for at-risk students. Slight differences were observed between male and female students in drug abuse involvement and response to counselling. The
study concluded that strengthening school counselling services is essential for reducing drug abuse among adolescents. It recommended increased government support for counselling units, regular drug education programmes, early identification of at-risk students, parental involvement, and collaboration between schools and health agencies.

This project is to evaluate privacy policies in mobile applications. It revealed Assess the clarity, readability, and structure of privacy policies used in selected mobile applications, evaluate the consistency between the stated privacy policies and the actual data handling practices of the mobile applications, identify specific areas within mobile privacy policies where vague or misleading terms are commonly used, examine the extent to which user input data is collected, processed, and shared without clear disclosure in the privacy statements, use Python-based tools to automate the detection and analysis of discrepancies between privacy policies and app behaviours, recommend practical improvements for making mobile application privacy policies more transparent, accurate, and user-friendly. This study designed and evaluation approach to examine how mobile applications present and apply their privacy policies

The safety of students in tertiary institutions is a major concern, especially during emergency situations that require quick reporting and response. At the University of Benin, existing emergency reporting methods are largely manual and fragmented, often resulting in delayed responses and poor coordination among emergency units. This study focuses on the design and implementation of an Emergency Reporting and Response System for students of the University of Benin. The proposed system provides a centralized platform that allows students to report emergencies such as medical, security, fire, and accident-related incidents. Once a report is submitted, the system automatically notifies the appropriate emergency response units and enables responders to update the status of the incident. Students also receive feedback on the progress and resolution of reported emergencies. The system includes administrative features for user management and report generation to support monitoring and decision-making. The implementation of the system demonstrates improved communication, faster response coordination, and enhanced campus safety. This study contributes to the use of information technology in improving emergency management within university environments.

Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses manage their IT infrastructure, offering scalable, cost-effective, and flexible solutions. However, as organizations migrate to the cloud, cybersecurity becomes a critical concern. This paper explores how cloud computing enhances cybersecurity for businesses by leveraging advanced security mechanisms such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven threat detection, and automated compliance management. Cloud service providers (CSPs) offer robust security frameworks, including real-time monitoring, distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection, and secure access controls, reducing the risk of cyber threats. Additionally, cloud-based security facilitates disaster recovery, data loss prevention, and regulatory compliance, strengthening overall business resilience. While cloud computing introduces new security challenges, implementing best practices and leveraging CSP security measures can significantly enhance an organization's cybersecurity posture. This study highlights the benefits, challenges, and future trends of cloud computing
in securing business operations against evolving cyber threats. To this purpose, this project designs and implements an encryption and multi-factor authentication system for cloud computing environments using a two-factor authentication approach: first-factor authentication via user ID/email and password, and second-factor authentication via OTP sent to user email. The system is developed using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Viejas for the front-end, Laravel and PHP for the backend, and MySQL for the database.

The management of personnel records in many organizations remains largely manual, leading to inefficiencies, data redundancy, and delays in decision-making. This study focuses on the design and implementation of a computerized Personnel Management Information System (PMIS) to address these challenges and improve human resource management processes. The system was developed using Python as the programming language, MySQL as the database management system, and a web-based framework to ensure ease of access and usability. The proposed system automates key human resource functions, including employee registration, attendance tracking, leave management, payroll computation, and report generation. A modular approach was adopted during implementation, ensuring each system component operates independently while maintaining seamless interaction with the central database. Testing was conducted using unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing, demonstrating that the system is reliable, accurate, and efficient. The results show that the developed system significantly improves personnel data management by reducing errors, enhancing data security, and providing timely reports for informed decision making. This system offers a scalable solution that can be adopted by organizations seeking to modernize their human resource management operations, thereby demonstrating the importance of information technology in enhancing organizational efficiency.