2026

This study examined the determinants of later life satisfaction among senior citizens in
Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The study arose from the limited context-specific
evidence on later life satisfaction in Nigeria, particularly the absence of an integrated
analysis of how socio-economic factors, health care status, social support networks, and
place of residence shape well-being among older adults. Guided by Disengagement Theory
and Activity Theory of Ageing, the study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic
factors and later life satisfaction, assessed the influence of health care status on
well-being, evaluated the role of social support networks, compared later life satisfaction
between rural and urban senior citizens, and identified areas of later life conditions that
require improvement. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods approach and used a
correlational survey research design. The population comprised male and female senior
citizens aged 60 years and above in rural and urban communities in Benin Metropolis. A
sample size of 1,350 respondents was selected, and 1,309 valid questionnaires were
retrieved and analysed, representing a response rate of 97.0 percent. The study used
multistage sampling, while accidental sampling was adopted at the community level because
no comprehensive sampling frame for senior citizens existed. The researcher collected
quantitative data through structured questionnaires and qualitative data through in-depth
interviews with purposively selected elderly participants. The study analysed quantitative
data with descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS), while it analysed qualitative data through manual content analysis and
thematic analysis.
The study found that later life satisfaction in Benin Metropolis is multidimensional and
strongly influenced by socio-economic conditions, health care status, social support
networks, early life experiences, and place of residence. Among the socio-economic
variables, age, marital status, education, and economic status significantly influenced later
life satisfaction. Younger seniors aged 60–64 years reported higher satisfaction than older
age groups, while married respondents expressed greater satisfaction than widowed or
divorced respondents. Health care status emerged as another major determinant. Seniors
who engaged in regular health check-ups, had access to health facilities, and rated the
quality of care positively reported higher satisfaction, whereas poor access to health care and
frequent health challenges reduced satisfaction. Seniors who enjoyed emotional support,
financial assistance, and active participation in community life reported greater well-being
than those who experienced weak family ties or social isolation. The study identified
financial security, housing conditions, health care access, social support, recreation, and
participation in community decision-making as the key areas requiring improvement.
The study concluded that later life satisfaction among senior citizens in Benin Metropolis
depends less on inevitable withdrawal from social life and more on the extent to which older
adults retain economic security, access to quality health care, supportive social relationships,
and opportunities for meaningful participation. The study therefore recommended the
expansion of pension support, improved geriatric health services, stronger community-based
social support programmes, targeted rural interventions, and broader opportunities for social
inclusion and participation among older adults.

Mental health challenges among secondary school students have become a growing concern globally with Nigeria experiencing a significant rise in mental health issues among adolescents. This study explores the mental health challenges faced by secondary school students in Nigeria, identifying key factors contributing to these issues and examining the coping mechanisms employed by students. The research also investigates the role of schools, families, and communities in addressing mental health challenges and promoting well-being among adolescents. The study employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A survey was administered to 400 secondary school students in Ekosodin, followed by in-depth interviews with 30 students, teachers, and school counselors. The findings reveal that academic pressure, family problems, social relationships and stigma surrounding mental health are major contributors to mental health challenges among secondary school students. Anxiety, depression, and stress were the most commonly reported mental health issues, with female students reporting higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to male students. The study highlights the importance of early identification and intervention as well as the need for comprehensive mental health support systems in schools. The research also emphasizes the role of families and communities in promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma. The findings suggest that schools should prioritize mental health education, provide accessible counseling services and train teachers to identify and support students struggling with mental health issues. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on adolescent mental health in Nigeria, providing insights into the complex interplay of factors influencing mental health outcomes. The research underscores the need for a multi-level approach to addressing mental health challenges involving individual, family, school, and community-level interventions. By promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma and increasing access to support services, Nigeria can take steps towards improving the mental well- being of its adolescent population. The study's findings have implications for policymakers, educators, parents, and mental health professionals, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to address mental health challenges among secondary school students. Recommendations include integrating mental health education into school curricula, increasing funding for school counseling services, and promoting community-based mental health initiatives.

This study examined the determinants of primary health care (PHC) service uptake among traders operating in New Benin Market. In pursuit of this objective, four research questions were formulated and relevant literature on primary health care services was comprehensively reviewed. A descriptive research design was employed, with a target population of 4,320 market traders drawn from New Benin Market in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Using simple random sampling, 216 traders were selected to serve as the study sample. Data were gathered through a structured close-ended questionnaire consisting of 20 items, which was validated by the project supervisor and two additional experts in the Department of Health, Safety and Environmental Education. Reliability was established via the test-retest method. The 216 administered questionnaires were returned in full, and the collected data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings indicated that economic constraints, limited awareness, proximity to health facilities, and religious orientation significantly influence PHC service uptake. Notwithstanding these challenges, traders in New Benin Market were found to exhibit a relatively high rate of PHC utilization, especially for minor ailments, routine medical examinations, and immunizations. The study recommends that government and relevant health authorities extend financial assistance to lower the cost burden of PHC services; that public health bodies mount regular awareness and health promotion campaigns to inform traders of the availability and advantages of PHC services; and that additional PHC facilities be established in closer proximity to major trading centres and densely populated market zones.

This study investigated the relationship between board attributes and financial reporting quality among listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The board attributes examined include board independence, board gender diversity, board meeting frequency, board size, and multiple committee membership. Discretionary accruals were employed as proxy for financial reporting quality, while firm-specific characteristics such as profitability, firm size, and audit fees were included as control variables. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The sample consists of a census of all twenty (20) consumer goods companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) over a 12-year period (2013–2024), resulting in a final sample of 232 unbalanced firm-year observations. The study adopted a fixed effect panel regression technique, with model selection justified using the Hausman specification test. The empirical results revealed that board independence, board gender diversity, and board meeting frequency have insignificant relationship with financial reporting quality. Bboard size exhibits a positive and significant relationship with discretionary accruals, suggesting that larger boards are associated with lower financial reporting quality. Multiple committee membership is found to have a negative and significant relationship with discretionary accruals, indicating that overlapping committee membership enhances financial reporting quality. Among the control variables, profitability and firm size are negatively and significantly related to discretionary accruals, while audit fees show a positive and significant relationship. The study suggests that board members serve on more than one committee to ensure effective oversight function, but caution should be exercised to avoid overwhelming a board member with work load.

A Documentary film has become a veritable tool in the broadcasting industry, used to propagate and sensitise society towards social issues that must be understood and/or changed. As such this research studied how documentary films foster behavioural change in University of Benin students of Mass Communication Department. Its objectives were to assess the audience reception of documentary film, examine the awareness-creating capability of documentary films on social issues, to what extent documentary films have influence viewers attitudes on social issues and to ascertain if documentary film foster behavioural change among audiences. Survey research design was adopted and data collected using questionnaires and in depth interview. Findings established that documentary films made social issues understandable and have the capacity to expose audience to social problems they knew nothing about. Documentary film influences viewers' attitudes and perceptions on social issues by helping them understand problems through various perspectives and the study also showed that documentary films can foster behavioral change among audience, and sensitize society towards social responsibility. The study concludes that Documentary films are persuasive channels of communication that can affect attitudes, increase knowledge and instigate favorable behaviors among its viewers. As such, documentary films addressing social issues should be produced more frequently and distributed through appropriate media channels to sensitize society

The study focused on Social Work Intervention and Rehabilitation of Victims of Drug Abuse in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. A literature review was conducted to determine the breadth of factors that contribute to drugs abuse and correlated risk-taking behaviours, and to identify relevant evidence-based treatments. The research design adopted for this study was survey research design using stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used was questionnaire. Simple percentage statistical method was used to analysis data gathered during this study. The survey research design was used for study to elicit fact. The total number of one hundred (100) questionnaire were administered to the respondents. Following the findings from this research, it was revealed that Drug abuse in adolescence constitutes one of the most deadly menaces faced by Nigerians today. It has been identified as a social vice that must be eradicated. The study revealed that Family background play a major and foremost role in contributing to adolescent substance use, both positively and negatively. The study also revealed that the community have a significant influence on substance use among adolescent. It is recommended that communities should attract and encourage teenagers to participate.

This study examined social work intervention strategies for victims of intimate
partner violence (IPV) in Iguadolor community, Ovia-North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Intimate partner violence remains a serious social problem in Nigeria, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities where cultural norms, economic dependence, and limited access to support services often prevent victims from seeking help. The study was motivated by the need to understand the types of intervention strategies available, how they are implemented, their impact on victims, and the challenges faced by social workers in addressing IPV within the community. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 respondents in Iguadolor community. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: Section A captured the demographic characteristics of respondents, while Section B addressed issues related to social work intervention strategies, including their types, nature, impact, challenges, and possible solutions. The findings further revealed that social work intervention strategies have had a positive impact on victims of intimate partner violence. Many respondents agreed that interventions have helped victims regain confidence, improve access to support services, and reduce repeated cases of abuse. Despite these positive outcomes, a significant number of victims remain reluctant to leave abusive relationships due to cultural beliefs, fear of stigma, emotional attachment, and economic dependence. The study identified several challenges affecting the effectiveness of social work intervention strategies in Iguadolor community. The study further established that social work intervention strategies have had a positive impact on victims of intimate partner violence in Iguadolor community. Many victims have benefited from counselling, increased access to support services, and reduced recurrence of abuse. These outcomes show that social work interventions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of victims. Increased Government Funding and Resource Allocation: The government at both state and local levels should increase funding allocated to social welfare departments and agencies responsible for addressing intimate partner violence. Adequate funding is necessary to support counselling services, legal aid, shelter provision, and rehabilitation programmes for victims. Financial resources should also be used to employ more trained social workers and provide necessary logistics such as transportation, office facilities, and communication tools. Improved funding will enable social workers to respond more effectively and promptly to cases of IPV, particularly in rural communities like Iguadolor.

Market places are visually dynamic spaces that offer a rich tapestry of colour, movement, and cultural interactions that have long inspired artists, especially painters. However, within the sub-genre of market scene painting, a field largely dominated by male artists, the portrayal of women has been problematic. Women have been frequently depicted according to prevailing artistic norms and objectified roles, while their economic agency and diverse market-related occupations have also been portrayed from a male-centered perspective. This study therefore, aimed to draw from the framework of Feminist Visual Culture interrogated the traditional ways of ‘seeing’ and challenged the male-dominated gaze that has historically shaped visual representation of women in market scene paintings. This study employed an exploratory design guided by critical theory and the MulveyHooks visual culture framework, which examined how women are represented in visual culture and how they can resist objectification. Combining visual analysis with contextual critique, the research examined stylistic paintings of women’s activities in market places in order to explore how gender roles and economic labour should be depicted and understood in the imagery of Benin City’s market places. The study revealed that it is possible to produce paintings that foreground women’s economic agency and depict them in dignified roles as human beings whose contributions cannot be trivialized. It also showed that the textured effects achieved through the palette knife technique can enhance the meaning and context of the artwork. The research advocates for more gender-balanced paintings that highlight women’s vital contributions to the economic and social development of the nation.

Background: Internal displacement can disrupt schooling through instability, resource constraints, and psychosocial stress, yet context-specific evidence on academic outcomes among adolescents living in camps in Edo State remains limited.

Objective: This study examines the effects of displacement on the academic performance of internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp, Benin City, Edo State, and identifies displacement-related factors associated with educational engagement and attainment.

Methods: A camp-based, cross-sectional mixed-methods design is proposed. Quantitative data will be gathered from internally displaced adolescents of secondary-school age using structured questionnaires covering displacement history, schooling continuity, learning conditions, and indicators of academic performance (e.g., recent grades or teacher-reported performance where available). Qualitative interviews or focus groups with adolescents, caregivers, and educators will explore perceived barriers and supports. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses will be used to assess associations between displacement-related exposures and academic performance, while thematic analysis will be applied to qualitative data to contextualize pathways and mechanisms.

Results: The study is expected to clarify how displacement experiences, interrupted schooling, access to learning materials, and psychosocial factors relate to academic performance within the camp setting, and to document key constraints and protective supports reported by stakeholders.

Conclusion: Findings will inform targeted educational and psychosocial interventions for internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp and guide policy responses to reduce displacement-related learning losses; causal inference will be limited by the cross-sectional design.

This research examine human trafficking and child abuse in Nigeria, with specific focus on Edo State. The study adopted a descriptive method using qualitative analysis to solve the research problems. The findings from the study revealed the prevalence, incidence and knowledge of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State. The results revealed the causes and determining factors of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State to include poverty and armed conflict; lack of economic opportunity and education; discriminatory practices including gender discrimination; abusive family environments; restrictive migration policies; and poorly regulated industrial sectors. Identified possible solutions to the menace of human trafficking and child abuse in Edo State includes effective poverty alleviation programme, strict law enforcement process and public enlightenment. The study demonstrated that human trafficking and child abuse were very rampant in Edo State. Following the conclusions, the study propose the following recommendations: The government should legislate against gender discrimination, and make girl-child education free at primary and post primary school levels; The government should set limit to family size; The Edo State government should make adult education compulsory for all illiterate parents; The government should encourage parents’ involvement in cooperative societies through which they will be empowered for economic self-reliance; The government should expand the job market and make employment available to single or unmarried youths to help the care for themselves and think less of migrating away from their State or country.