DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

This study examined the impact of corruption on public service delivery in Edo State, Nigeria, with a view to understanding how corrupt practices influence the efficiency, accessibility, and quality of public services. Using a mixed - method research design, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and key informant interviews with public officials, service users, and community stakeholders, while secondary data were sourced from government reports, academic publications, and anti – corruption agency records. The study’s findings reveal that corruption manifests in various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and bureaucratic delays, which collectively reduce service quality, distort resource allocation, and weaken
institutional capacity. Responses indicated that corruption discourages citizen participation, erodes trust in governance, and perpetuates poverty and inequality. The research recommends strengthening anti – corruption frameworks, promoting
transparency and accountability mechanisms, enhancing public sector reforms, and encouraging citizen oversight. Ultimately, the study emphasize that tackling corruption is essential to improving public service delivery and achieving sustainable socio –
economic development in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

This study examined the integration and utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing service delivery in the Edo State Ministry of Education. The objectives were to determine the availability of ICT facilities, assess their effectiveness in administrative operations, evaluate the impact of ICT adoption on service delivery, identify the challenges hindering ICT integration, and suggest strategies for improvement. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 100 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as mean and percentage were used for data analysis, while Cronbach’s Alpha was employed to test instrument reliability. Findings revealed that ICT facilities such as computers, internet connectivity, and relevant software are fairly available and accessible to staff. ICT tools were found to moderately enhance administrative processes, communication, and data management, thereby improving efficiency and service quality. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, limited training, and resistance to change were identified as major obstacles to full ICT adoption. The study further found that strategies such as regular ICT training, increased funding, establishment of ICT support teams, and improved infrastructure would significantly strengthen ICT-driven service delivery. The study concluded that ICT plays a vital role in promoting transparency, efficiency, and productivity in the Ministry. It recommended
increased government investment in ICT infrastructure, continuous capacity building for staff, and effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure sustainable and efficient ICT utilization in the Edo State Ministry of Education.

This study examined the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) policies on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The research was carried out to evaluate the level of VAT compliance
among SMEs, determine the relationship between VAT policy and profitability, assess the administrative burden of VAT on operational efficiency, and analyze the perception of SME operators regarding VAT and business sustainability. The study
adopted a descriptive and inferential research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed via Google Forms and face-to-face administration, with 300 valid responses analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Analytical
tools such as descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and Chi- square tests were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between VAT compliance and SME growth, indicating that firms
with higher compliance levels tend to perform better in the long run. VAT policies were found to have a considerable impact on profitability and operational efficiency, while administrative challenges remained a major constraint to full compliance. Furthermore, the study showed that SMEs’ perception of VAT significantly affects their willingness to comply and sustain business operations. The study concluded that VAT can enhance SME growth if well managed and supported by simplified tax administration. It recommended that government agencies improve tax education, reduce compliance costs, and enhance digital tax systems to encourage broader SME participation in the VAT scheme.

The study examines the role the role and challenges of local government in rural development in Nigeria: a case study of Esan central LGA of Edo State. The specific objectives are to assess the role of the local government administration in rural development in Esan central Local Government Area; to investigate whether job creation and provision of infrastructures by the government led to prevention of rural-urban migration in Esan central Local Government Area; to find out the relationship between governments budgetary allocation and rural development in Esan central Local Government Area. This study employed both descriptive and inferential statistics in analyzing the data obtained.
The descriptive statistics used include frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation test t was used as an inferential statistic to test the research hypotheses. All hypotheses were tested at 5% level of significance. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 20.0) software was as platform used for all the analyses. The findings from the study revealed that revealed that the local government has implemented effective policies that promote rural development in Esan Central. It was also discovered that government job creation programs have encouraged youths to remain in rural communities. It was revealed that Job creation and provision of infrastructures by the government help to prevent migration in Esan central Local Government Area. It was concluded that Government’s budgetary allocation helps to address rural development in Esan central Local Government Area. It was recommended that the government should always maintain a balance in development both in urban and rural areas of the state to minimize migration. Local governments should be more people-centered in approach, such that necessary collaboration/partnership with communities in its domain can facilitate the process of rural development.

The study investigated the welfare and safety challenges of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria: A case study of Uhogua camp in Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, four research questions were raised and answered. The sample size was made up of 200 respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study revealed that IDPs in Uhogua Camp face severe challenges in accessing basic needs, healthcare, education, security, and sanitation, which significantly impact their living conditions. It was concluded that the strategies put in place by the state government to ensure the welfare and security of IDPs in Uhogua camp, include security measures, basic needs provision, psychosocial support, NGO collaborations, and vocational training. The study recommended among others that the government should enhance its support by allocating more resources to improve living conditions, healthcare, education, and security for IDPs in Uhogua camp. Additionally, policymakers should implement long-term strategies that ensure sustainable development and well-being

Public institutions are experiencing environments that are not only changing rapidly, but in particular, are increasingly subject to sudden irregularities Furthermore, the administrative work of various public institutions is print-based. Various documents are kept in the form of records. These records provide information on the past and present data of the students. The public institutions cannot perform administrative duties with accurate, timely, sufficient and relevant information. The deficiencies associated with storage, preservation and retrieval process are very cumbersome. Consequently, alternative methods provided by
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is imperative. Premised on this observation, the objectives of this study were to understand how the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has impacted the management of students’ data creation, storage and retrieval in the University of Benin, and to comprehend the factors that have constrained the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the management of students’ data. The survey research design was adopted in carrying out the study with administered questionnaires, and chi-square was used to analyze the data
gotten from the field. From this, the researcher deduced that there is a positive relationship between the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and efficient management of students’ data. The university administrators should ensure the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the management of students’ data and measures should be put in place for the training of staff and the availability of computer devices in order to ensure efficiency in the management of students’ data.

This study examined the influence of patriarchy on women’s participation in public administration in Nigeria. Despite constitutional provisions and policy frameworks advocating gender equality, women remain underrepresented in administrative and decision-making positions. The research sought to identify the extent to which patriarchal norms, socio-cultural barriers, and institutional practices affect women’s involvement in public administration, and to assess the effectiveness of existing gender equity measures. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 146 respondents drawn from selected public institutions across Nigeria. The instrument contained items measured on a five-point Likert scale, and the responses were analysed usingdescriptive and inferential statistical techniques with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson correlation and linear regression analysis. Findings revealed that patriarchal norms and socio-cultural barriers significantly hinder women’s participation in public administration (r = -0.684, p < 0.01). Institutional policies were found to have a moderate mitigating effect but were not sufficiently enforced to counterbalance entrenched gender biases. The study concludes that patriarchy continues to influence the structural and operational patterns of Nigeria’s public service, thereby limitingwomen’s opportunities for leadership and representation. The study recommends that government institutions strengthen gender mainstreaming frameworks, enforce equity- driven recruitment and promotion policies, and implement continuous sensitization programs aimed at challenging patriarchal attitudes within the public sector. These measures are necessary to achieve a more inclusive and gender-balancedadministrative system in Nigeria

This study examined the role of local government administration in promoting socioeconomic development in Nigeria, using Egor Local Government Area as a case study. The research specifically investigated how policy implementation effectiveness, provision of social amenities, and infrastructure development influence socioeconomic outcomes within the area. A descriptive and explanatory survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from 200 respondents, including residents, local government officials, and community leaders, through structured questionnaires and interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed a strong positive relationship between local government administrative functions and socioeconomic development (R = 0.894, R² = 0.799, p < 0.05). Specifically, policy implementation (β = 0.364, p = 0.000), provision of social amenities (β = 0.342, p = 0.000), and infrastructure development (β = 0.328, p = 0.000) each had significant effects on socioeconomic development in Egor Local Government. The findings indicate that effective policy execution, adequate provision of social services, and sustainable infrastructural projects collectively account for approximately 79.9% of the variation in the area’s socioeconomic growth. The study concludes that efficient and transparent local government administration is vital for enhancing living standards, promoting economic productivity, and achieving grassroots development. It recommends that Egor Local Government strengthen policy implementation mechanisms, increase investment in social amenities, promote infrastructural sustainability, and enhance transparency and community participation to foster inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development.

This study examines human rights violations in Nigeria through a focused analysis of the Lekki Toll Gate shooting during the #EndSARS movement. The incident, which occurred on October 20, 2020, has become emblematic of state-led repression and the persistent challenges facing human rights protection in the country. Drawing on reports from organizations such as Amnesty International, this research situates the Lekki events within a broader pattern of abuses linked to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and unlawful detention.

The study explores the roles of the Nigerian government, security agencies, and military forces in the escalation of violence against peaceful protesters, highlighting systemic failures in accountability and governance. It further evaluates Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, emphasizing the gap between formal commitments and actual practices.

In addition, the research analyzes the response of civil society, media, and the international community, assessing their roles in documenting abuses and advocating for justice. The Lekki incident is thus examined not only as an isolated event but as a reflection of entrenched governance issues, including corruption, militarization of civilian spaces, and institutional impunity. Ultimately, this study argues that the Lekki Massacre underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure accountability, strengthen democratic institutions, and safeguard the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.

This study examine the impact of ICT on land administration efficiency, a focus on Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS). The study examines the evolution of ICT in Nigeria, identify the benefits of ICT to land administration efficiency, examine role Edo Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) in land administration. The study adopts the survey research method. Survey research design focuses on a sample drawn from a population in which the data collected from the former through questionnaire. The study find out that land administration in Edo State was plagued by corruption, criminality, improper land allocation, and monetization under CDAs before the introduction of the EDOGIS. The EDOGIS is qualitative enough for effective e-goernance of land administration in Edo state. The study reveals that the EDOGIS ICT platform has significantly improved land administration in Edo State. It is user-friendly and intuitive, providing an efficient system for land registration, valuation, and cadastral management. The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has significantly impacted land administration in Edo State, enhancing town planning and development. The Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS) has implemented Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services to improve communication between land authorities and the public. This has led to increased transparency, efficiency, and trust in land administration processes. The ICT implementation of EDOGIS faces challenges such as the digital divide systems