FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

Fossil fuel subsidies have long been recognized as a significant misalignment between energy pricing policies and environmental sustainability objectives, encouraging overconsumption of fossil fuels and slowing the transition to cleaner energy sources. While these subsidies are often justified on grounds of affordability and energy security, they tend to exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions, distort energy markets, and undermine climate policy commitments. The aim of this study is to examine the environmental consequences of fossil fuel subsidies and the impact of subsidy reforms across a geographically diverse sample of 68 countries. The data utilized in this study span the periods 2010 to 2023. Of the 68 countries in the sample, 51 are identified as having implemented fossil fuel subsidy reforms between 2010 and 2023, while 17 serve as control countries that maintained their subsidy regimes without major reforms during this period. The study employed a combination of system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation and the Callaway and Sant’Anna Difference-in- Differences method with staggered treatment to analyse the effects of fossil fuel subsidies and subsidy reforms on CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions. The result from the system GMM revealed that fossil fuel subsidies significantly increased emissions, with affluence moderating the effect such that higher-income countries experience a smaller emissions response to subsidies. The analysis found no evidence for the traditional Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC); however, reform-augmented EKC analysis demonstrated that subsidy reforms can generate complex dynamics, including temporary “green paradox” effects, where emissions initially rise among low-income populations due to higher energy prices and limited access to clean alternatives. Over the longer term, the Staggered Difference in Difference results showed that subsidy reforms significantly reduced emissions, with earlier adopters achieving the greatest cumulative environmental gains. Based on these findings, the study recommended that policymakers calibrate subsidy strategies to income levels, phase out subsidies alongside investments in clean energy access, enact policies that protect the biomass and maintain reforms as continuous rather than one-off measures. The work contributed to knowledge by empirically validating the differential effects of fossil fuel subsidy reforms on emissions, highlighting the importance of context- sensitive climate policy

This study examined the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes among women in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The study aimed to investigate the availability and types of social support accessible to women, the mental health challenges they face, the influence of social support on their mental well-being, barriers to accessing support, and the role of social workers in strengthening support systems. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was administered to one hundred (100) women selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and descriptive interpretations. The findings revealed that most women had moderate access to social support, primarily from spouses and family members, while emotional and instrumental support were the most common types received. However, 25% of respondents reported difficulties accessing consistent help. The study further revealed high levels of psychological distress among women, with 60% reporting anxiety, 50% experiencing depression, and 70% feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities. A strong positive relationship was established between social support and mental health outcomes, as 75% of respondents agreed that social support improves mood and reduces stress. Major barriers identified included financial constraints (50%), lack of awareness (40%), and social stigma (35%). Respondents strongly emphasized the need for social workers to provide counseling, create women’s support groups, and lead community education initiatives on mental health. The study concluded that social support significantly influences the mental health outcomes of women in Ikpoba-Okha LGA. It recommended that policymakers and social work professionals should prioritize community-based interventions, strengthen informal support networks, and develop sustainable social support programs that enhance women’s psychological well-being and resilience.

This study investigates crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, focusing on the perceptions of road users, adequacy of crosswalk infrastructure, compliance with safety measures, and enforcement of pedestrian safety rules. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to three sample groups of students, staff, and drivers in the campus. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and hypotheses was tested with chi-square at 0,05 significance level. The results suggest that comprehensive solutions incorporating improved infrastructure, increased enforcement, and educational campaigns are essential for creating a safer campus environment for all road users. The findings revealed a general negative perception of crosswalk safety, with key concerns around aggressive drivers’ behavior, including over-speeding and mobile phone usage while walking and driving. The research also identifies significant deficiencies in crosswalk signage and markings, with a substantial proportion of respondents reporting poor visibility of crosswalk infrastructure. Whereas, drivers claimed to yield at crosswalks, pedestrians frequently experienced drivers’ non-compliance, highlighting a disparity in perceptions between these groups. Furthermore, the study found a widespread agreement on the need for infrastructural improvements such as better signage and clearer markings. These findings emphasize the need for addressing both infrastructure deficiencies and behavioral issues to improve pedestrian safety. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical data on crosswalk safety in a university setting, offering valuable insights for future interventions aimed at enhancing pedestrian infrastructure and safety enforcement. This study concluded by providing important insights regarding crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, emphasising critical concerns related to pedestrian and driver conduct, along with infrastructural deficiencies. It recommended that all existing crosswalk signage should be repainted using reflective and durable thermoplastic materials to improve visibility, particularly at night and the University’s Security Department, along with local traffic authorities, should enforce pedestrian laws to ensure compliance by both pedestrians and drivers.

This study examined the link between social isolation and deviant behaviour among undergraduate students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The primary goal was to empirically understand if feelings of loneliness and social disconnection directly led students to engage in harmful, rule-breaking acts, thereby validating existing psychosocial theories in a Nigerian university context. A descriptive survey design was employed, and a structured questionnaire was administered to 148 students who provided valid responses. The results revealed that social isolation was a pervasive issue, showing that the majority of students (81%) felt moderately to highly isolated from the campus community and their peers. The most common form of self-reported deviant behaviour was skipping classes (truancy), reported by 49% of the respondents, followed by general rule-breaking. Crucially, the study found a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between the two variables (r = 0.612, p < 0.001), indicating that the more isolated a student felt, the more likely they were to engage in deviant acts. Isolation was confirmed as a major predictive factor for truancy, breaking rules, and substance use. The study recommends that the university should immediately implement structural and social interventions, including creating better welcome programs for new students, starting a mandatory peer mentorship system, improving accessible counselling services, and organizing more frequent social events to help students achieve adequate social integration.

This study examines the health-seeking behaviours of sexually abused teenagers in Uselu Community, Edo State, focusing on their access to medical, emotional, and mental health support. Utilizing a quantitative research design, data was collected through surveys distributed to a sample of 400 adolescents. The findings reveal significant barriers to seeking help, including stigma, financial constraints, limited healthcare access, and insufficient understanding among service providers regarding issues related to sexual abuse. While 50% of respondents expressed a willingness to seek medical assistance, an equal proportion reported reluctance, indicating the influence of cultural factors and a preference for informal emotional support. Notably, only 40% of the teenagers utilized counselling services, highlighting a critical gap in mental health engagement. The study also emphasizes the vital role of social workers in providing support and facilitating access to resources, underscoring their importance in community education and stigma reduction. Recommendations include improving healthcare access, implementing trauma-informed training for providers, increasing the availability of mental health resources, and expanding confidential support options. Keywords: Health-seeking behaviors, Sexual abuse, Adolescents, Mental health support, Stigma.

The study was carried out to investigate Human trafficking in Nigeria: A study of Ovia North East L.G.A in Edo State. It used Ovia North East as the Area of study. The study used a sample of 20 respondents and five objectives. The study's findings underscore the critical role poverty plays in facilitating human trafficking in Ovia North East Local Government, Edo State. Poverty creates a vulnerable population that traffickers exploit, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and poverty. The underdevelopment of Benin City, Nigeria, and Africa at large, drives migration through illegal routes, aligning with the push-and-pull theory. This highlights the need for sustainable development and economic opportunities to reduce the allure of illegal migration. Notably, NGOs and NAPTIP are actively engaged in rehabilitating returnees, providing psychological and economic support. However, the study reveals a concerning trend: some returnees, despite rehabilitation, choose to reengage in trafficking. This underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for comprehensive, long-term solutions. The study recommends the Implementation of policies to reduce poverty and unemployment, particularly among young people, to reduce their vulnerability to trafficking, the strengthening of law enforcement to enhance law enforcement capabilities to combat trafficking, including training for officials and increased resources for investigations and prosecutions and provision of support services that will establish and fund support services for victims of trafficking, including counseling, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs.

This study investigates the public perception of the Nigerian police force in Egor LocalGovernment Area of Edo State. Guided by the system theory, it explores how residentsassess the performance, behavior and relationship of the police with the community. Using adescriptive survey design, data were collected from 100 randomly selected respondents fromthe age range of 18 years to 46 years and above through structured questionnaire andanalyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings shows that while the police force holds a vital role in the maintenance order, public-perception remains largely negative due to corruption, bribery, poor response to distresscalls and police brutality. Respondents also identified inadequate training and lowmotivation as factors affecting police effectiveness. This study concluded that bridging thegap between police force and the community requires improved welfare, accountability andenhanced community policing initiatives to restore trust and credibility in the NigerianPolice Force

This study examined the psychological experiences of teenage mothers in Ekosodin community, Ovia North East Local Government Area, with particular attention to how socio-cultural factors shape their wellbeing and parenting practices. The study adopted the survey design using questionnaire as instrument of data collection. The data was analyzed using percentage tables. Findings revealed that socio-cultural dynamics exert significant influence on the mental health of teenage mothers. Approximately 77% of respondents identified cultural beliefs as barriers to social acceptance, while 98% reported that stigmatization adversely affected their psychological wellbeing. Family and societal judgment further intensified emotional distress for 74% of participants, reflecting the deep-rooted moral expectations placed on young women within the community. Additionally, 94% of respondents acknowledged that traditional gender roles imposed greater parenting responsibilities on them than on their partners, thereby increasing psychological and economic strain. Despite these challenges, teenage mothers demonstrated resilience through coping mechanisms such as self-motivation, peer and family support, religious engagement, and leisure activities. However, variations in the use of faith-based coping strategies suggest differing personal and social contexts. The findings underscore that the intersection of cultural beliefs, stigma, family pressures, and gendered expectations reinforces exclusion and stress, limiting access to supportive networks. The study concludes that enhancing the psychological wellbeing of teenage mothers in Ekosodin requires culturally sensitive social work interventions, improved access to mental health services, and community sensitization programs aimed at reducing stigma and promoting inclusion.

Nigeria’s economy has been characterized by persistent macroeconomic instability, evident in its high and often volatile inflation rates and alarming unemployment figures. Misery Index in Nigeria, with an empirical focus on Hanke’s Misery Index, over the period 1992–2024. Grounded in the Quantity Theory of Money and the Phillips Curve, the study investigates how changes in money supply, exchange rate volatility, government expenditure, and oil prices influence economic distress. Using annual time series data, the research applies unit root tests to assess stationarity, correlation analysis to explore inter-variable relationships, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach to capture both short- and long-run dynamics. The ARDL bounds test indicates no evidence of long-run cointegration among the variables. Empirical findings reveal that increases in money supply significantly elevate the Misery Index, while exchange rate volatility does not have a significant impact. Lagged government expenditure reduces economic distress, and increase in oil price have a negative but marginally insignificant effect on the Misery Index. The study concludes that coordinated monetary and fiscal policies, informed by both inflation-output trade-offs and money supply considerations, are essential for stabilizing economic welfare in Nigeria.

Revenue generation in the nucleus and the path to modern development. Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of revenue generation on the development of local Government Areas. The researcher used primary and secondary methods of data collection to generate the needed data. The data obtained through questionnaire was presented in tables and expressed in simple percentages. The following were some of the findings which included poor development of the areas, lack of basic social amenities to the rural people and lack of revenue to maintain the existing infrastructures. The researcher therefore recommended that the local government should provide basic amenities of high quality. By doing so, the people's interest would be geared towards giving their maximum support to the local government which would lead to the development of the rural area.