FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

This study examines the impact of fintech innovation on financial development in Nigeria, with a focus on the mediating role of green finance. Fintech innovations, such as digital payments, mobile banking, and peer-to-peer lending, have revolutionized the financial sector, enhancing financial inclusion and market efficiency. Meanwhile, green finance, a relatively emerging concept in Nigeria, seeks to channel financial resources toward environmentally sustainable projects. This study aims to assess the interplay between these variables and their collective influence on the country's financial ecosystem. Using a structured questionnaire distributed to 88 respondents, data was collected from fintech operators, financial institution employees, and stakeholders in green finance. The analysis employed descriptive statistics, regression models, and mediation analysis to evaluate the relationships among fintech innovation, financial development, and green finance. The findings reveal that fintech innovation significantly contributes to financial development in Nigeria, primarily by improving access to financial services and reducing transaction costs. Green finance, while still in its nascent stage, positively influences financial development by promoting sustainable investments. Additionally, the study confirms that green finance partially mediates the relationship between fintech innovation and financial development, amplifying the impact of fintech on sustainability-oriented financial initiatives. However, challenges such as limited data availability, regulatory gaps, and low public awareness of green finance hinder its full potential. The study concludes by recommending stronger regulatory frameworks, increased public education on green finance, and greater collaboration between fintech companies and policymakers to foster sustainable financial growth in Nigeria.

This study examined the influence of brand positioning strategies on consumer preference for beverage products in Benin City, Nigeria. Four key elements of brand positioning, price positioning, product differentiation, unique selling propositions (USP), and physical evidence, were analysed to determine their impact on consumers’ purchasing behaviour. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to 385 respondents and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that product differentiation (β = 0.564, p < 0.001), USP (β = 0.290, p < 0.001), and physical evidence (β = 0.271, p < 0.001) significantly influenced consumer preference, while price positioning (β = -0.141, p = 0.077) showed no significant impact. An R² of 0.868 indicated that 86.8% of the variation in consumer preference was explained by the independent variables. The study concludes that consumers in Benin City are more responsive to beverage brands offering unique features, clear value propositions, and appealing physical attributes than to pricing strategies alone. It recommends an integrated approach to brand positioning to improve market competitiveness. The study enhances understanding of consumer behaviour in emerging markets and provides practical insights for marketing strategists in the beverage industry.

This research work is conducted on the role of bank of industry in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The aims and objectives of the study is to analyze the various role played by bank of industry in developing small and medium enterprises as well as the activities of government policies, such as provision of infrastructural facilities provision of local finance facilities, funding of industries and institutions like SSICS, CIRD and FIIRO. The researcher uses the questionnaire and interview method to collect the data from the respondents. The analysis and crossed tabulation of data gathered were done using the mean statistical method with the 1-5 Likert rating scale for proper accuracy in arriving at a dependable decision rule. Lastly the researcher concluded that, the bank of industry was able to maintain its customer because they do welcome whatever kind of financial assistance, therefore, the government should also endeavour to appoint the workers to teach the entrepreneur who does not have the advantage of attending seminar or workshops especially the illiterate ones and keep supervising them in right –

This study examined the relationship between digital financial services and financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study, anchored on the vulnerable group theory, adopted the ex-post facto research design hence data were collected from secondary sources. Data for the study were obtained from the Statistical Bulletin of Central Bank of Nigeria for the period of 2010- 2023. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to run the regression analysis after carrying out several diagnostic checks such as variance inflation factor, cointegration tests, and unit root tests. Findings of the study showed that agency banking, Automated Teller Machine transactions, and mobile banking have a significant positive relationship with financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study also established a negative but not significant relationship between web payments, unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) transactions and financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study concluded that digital financial services positively contributed to the level of financial inclusion in Nigeria. The study recommends amongst others that banks should increase the Automated Teller Machine points to reach out to the interior villages and rural areas that are excluded from the financial services

The study empirically examined change management and performance within the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. To guide the study, three research questions were raised, and three hypothesis was generated. A survey research design which entails the use of structured questionnaire in sampling the opinion of the respondents on the subject was adopted in gathering data three. The Taro Yamane (1976) sample determination formula was used to determine the sample size from the population, and after due computation, a sample of 280 respondents was arrived at. A total of 280 questionnaires were distributed. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, simple frequency count, percentages, and mean. Findings obtained from the analysis among other things, showed emotional readiness plays a crucial role in enhancing employee performance within the organization. It was concluded that successful change management in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency depends largely on the extent to which employees are emotionally, cognitively, and intentionally prepared to engage with and sustain transformation processes, making readiness a critical determinant of organizational performance and long-term success Based on the findings, the study suggested that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) should introduce regular emotional intelligence and stress management workshops to help employees develop resilience and adaptability during organisational change processes.

The growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education is redefining academic work and learning across Nigeria. This qualitative exploratory study investigates academics’ perceptions and utilization of AI tools within Nigeria’s education sector. Drawing on semi-structured interviews conducted with university faculty, the research explores how AI technologies are being applied in teaching, research, and administrative processes. Results indicate that although AI is viewed as a valuable resource for improving instructional effectiveness, research efficiency, and institutional management, its practical adoption remains limited by inadequate infrastructure, lack of technical competence, and unresolved ethical issues. Participants highlighted both enthusiasm for AI’s potential to enhance academic productivity and concern about its implications for academic integrity and equity. The study recommends strengthening institutional capacity through targeted training, investment in digital infrastructure, and the establishment of ethical and regulatory frameworks to guide responsible AI use. These insights add to the growing body of literature on AI integration in Nigeria tertiary education and its role in shaping the sector’s future.

The business environment in Nigeria has become increasingly complex, with firms facing various challenges that arise from political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors. For the soft drink industry, these factors influence not only production and distribution but also the overall performance and sustainability of firms. The need to understand how these external conditions shape organizational outcomes formed the basis of this study. The study examined the influence of the external business environment on the performance of firms in Nigeria’s soft drink industry. Using the PESTEL framework, the study focused on six key dimensions of the external environment: political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal factors. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were gathered through a structured questionnaire administered to staff of selected beverage industries, including Seven-Up Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Benin City, Edo State. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Findings from the study showed that the external business environment has a significant impact on the performance of soft drink firms in Nigeria. Economic and political factors were found to be the most influential, particularly inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and unstable government policies. Technological and legal factors also had positive effects on firm performance, improving operational efficiency and compliance. Socio-cultural and environmental factors exerted moderate influence, reflecting the growing importance of health awareness and environmental sustainability in consumer behavior. The study concluded that the ability of beverage industries in Nigeria to survive and remain competitive depends largely on how effectively they monitor and adapt to changes in their external environment. It was recommended that government should ensure policy consistency, reduce multiple taxation, and provide a more stable economic climate for manufacturing businesses. Firms are encouraged to invest in technological innovation, adopt sustainable practices, and diversify their product lines to meet changing consumer needs

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of consumer perception on brand preference in Nigeria’s clothing industry. The specific objectives were to determine the relationship among product quality, branding strategies, emotional connection, social influence and cultural on brand preference in Nigeria’s clothing industry. The study adopted the survey research design; data was collected through the aid of a questionnaire. The finding shows that product quality, emotional connection and cultural relevance have significantly positive effects on branding preference in Nigeria’s clothing industry, However, branding strategies and social influence were found to have no significant effect on brand preference in Nigeria’s clothing industry. The questionnaire was structured according to the research questions and distributed to a sample population of four hundred (400) respondents. Descriptive statistics technique was used to analyze the quantitative data, coding was done in the Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS20) and the output was interpreted in mean scores and standard deviation. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to estimate the relationship among variables. The study recommends that clothing manufacturers should prioritize high quality materials, they should re-evaluate their promotional strategies to make them more engaging and credible, Brand managers should develop campaigns that foster emotional attachment, clothing brands should focus more on genuine customer advocacy and integrate Nigeria cultural motifs into their designs.

This study investigates the relationship between capital structure components and corporate financial performance in Nigerian firms, focusing on the consumer goods sector listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). Specifically, it examines the influence of equity capital, short-term debt, long-term debt, and working capital on financial performance, using Return on Assets (ROA) as a key performance indicator. The study adopts a descriptive research design, utilizing secondary data from audited annual reports of 13 consumer goods firms over a five-year period (2019-2023). Findings indicate that equity capital and short-term debt have a significant positive impact on firm profitability, suggesting that a strong equity base and effective short-term debt management are crucial for financial stability and growth. However, long-term debt showed a negative but statistically insignificant relationship with performance, while working capital had a positive but insignificant effect. The study recommends that firms strengthen equity financing, optimize short-term debt, and reduce excessive long-term debt reliance. It also calls for improved working capital management and government policies to reduce borrowing costs for SMEs. The study contributes to capital structure theory in emerging markets, offering insights for financial managers, policymakers, and investors in Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of cultural factors on consumer buying behaviour in the food and beverage industry in Benin City. Using a survey research design, 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 384 were retrieved and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The findings showed that social group and household influences have significant positive effects on consumer buying behaviour, indicating that peer relationships and family dynamics play major roles in shaping purchase decisions. However, social conformity and religious factors were found to have no significant effect, suggesting that consumers are increasingly guided by individuality and household needs rather than societal or religious pressures. The study recommends that marketers and business operators adopt family-oriented and socially driven marketing strategies while maintaining product quality and innovation. These findings contribute to academic understanding and practical marketing strategies within the Nigerian cultural context.