FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

This study examined the impact of sexual content on social media on the psychological and social life of students at the University of Benin. The research adopted a descriptive survey design and utilized a structured questionnaire administered to 100 undergraduate respondents across various faculties. The studysought to determine the extent of students’ exposure to sexual content, the common types encountered, and how such exposure influences their behavior, mental health, and academic performance. Findings revealed that students are highly exposed to sexual content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. The most prevalent forms of content include nude images, sexually suggestive videos, and romantic skits. Exposure to such materials was found to significantly influence students’ attitudes, leading to increased curiosity, anxiety, self-comparison, and changes in social behavior. Moreover, frequent exposure was negatively associated with academic performance due to distraction and reduced study concentration. The study further established that social workers play a vital role in mitigating these effects through counseling, digital literacy programs, and awareness campaigns on responsible media use. It concludes that while social media serves as an important communication and educational tool, unregulated access to sexual content poses serious psychological and academic risks to students. The study recommends that the University should strengthen digital literacy education, enhance counseling services, and engage social workers in promoting safe and healthy media consumption among students.

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 examines the evolution of political campaign strategies and their impact onvoterbehaviour in Benin City, Nigeria, through a comparative analysis of the 2019 and 2023general elections. In 2019, campaigns predominantly relied on traditional methods such as rallies, posters, radio jingles, door-to-door canvassing, and face-to-face mobilization, which reinforcedpartyloyalty, personality politics, and ethno-regional affiliations, particularly in rural and semi-urbanareas. By 2023, there was a notable shift toward digital strategies, including social mediaplatforms (Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram), targeted messaging, influencerendorsements, and data-driven audience segmentation, which effectively mobilized urbanyouthand disillusioned voters seeking transparency, reform, and candidate competence over partyidentity. Despite this, challenges persisted, including the digital divide (limiting online reachinrural areas), misinformation, fake news, vote-buying, voter apathy, and security concerns. Theresearch highlights hybrid campaign models combining traditional and digital approaches, variations in voter behaviour across socio-demographic groups (e.g., age, urban-rural divide), and the growing influence of candidate-based politics. Guided by research questions onpredominant strategies, differences in voter behaviour, the role of digital media, and influencingfactors, the study aims to identify campaign methods, analyze behavioural shifts, assess mediainfluences, and investigate responsiveness factors. Focused solely on Benin City andthetwospecified election cycles, this work contributes to understanding political communication, enhances strategies for ethical engagement, supports voter education efforts, and providesinsights for strengthening democratic processes in Nigeria.

The sediment characterization and evaluation of Zoobenthos community in Aghuakuari River, Edo State, Nigeria was carried out for four (4) months across three (3) stations from April 2023through July, 2023. The heavy metals of the sediment were analyzed and studied and they include, Iron (Fe) (310.11– 411.0 mg/kg), Copper (Cu) (10.05 – 29.00 mg/kg), Manganese(Mn)(0.13 – 0.60 mg/kg), Lead (Pb) (0.30 – 1.20 mg/kg), Cadmium (Cd) (0.12 – 0.23 mg/kg), and Zinc (Zn) (7.63 – 14.00 mg/kg) and also the Particle size distribution and Organic content (%organic carbon and % organic matter) were also analyzed. Heavy metals apart from iron parameters were within the allowable limits of USEPA for freshwater bodies. Atotal of 19taxacomprising of 394 individuals, were recorded during the study. Hemiptera accounted for 1%, Coleoptera accounted for 7%, Odonata accounted for 1%, Diptera accounted for 57%, Ephemeroptera accounted for 3%, Decapoda accounted for 5%, Amphibia accounted for 26%, and Araneae accounted for 0.1%. The total number of taxa in station 1 were 8 with 181total number of individuals. In station 2, 16 taxa were recorded and individuals were 83 while instation 3, the total number of taxa and individuals were 6 and 130, respectively. From the coefficient correlation analysis, it was observed that the distribution and abundance of some benthic macroinvertebrates by changes in some physico-chemical parameters. Factors that influenced the abundance and distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates include the nature of the water body, habitat richness and stability, immediate substrate of occupation, the heavy metal composition, anthropogenic activities, tropic condition, resource partitioning, and predation.

This study investigate the ef ect of intra-government relations on local government administration in Nigeria, with Oredo and Ovia North East Local Government Area as casestudy. The investigation was informed by the fact that the management of intergovernmental relations, especially state-local government relations, is among the most contested issuesinthe 1999 Constitution. The contention is made more complex by the letters of the Constitutionwhich makes the institution of local government, especially its establishments, structure, composition, finance and functions, a residual matter for state government. ApplyingtheSystems Theory, the study explored the relationship between the state and local government councils, and how this af ected the survival, independence, functions and conditionsof existence of both tiers in a federal structure that is sub-system dominant. The methodologyfor the study covers both the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The analysisof primary data, elicited through interviews, was mainly descriptive and qualitative. Content analysis was used in the interpretation of secondary data. On the basis of data presentedandanalyzed, the following findings were made; the constitutional and legal framework guidingstate-local government relations is not only skewed in favour of the state, it completelysubjugates the institution of local government to the state government. Secondly, stateinstitutions, agencies and commissions are used by the state government to exercise stringent control over local government functionaries. This study recommends, attitudinal changeinthe behaviour and conduct of those who operate the institutions of government at bothstateand local government levels. Both Federal and State governments have to include local government authorities in their programmes that af ect rural development. In order words, decisions should not be composed on local Government.

This project discusses the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) and its roleonsustainable poverty reduction in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The study examinesthe impact of NSIP on youth enterprise, focusing on beneficiaries of the N-Powerand Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs. NSIP was established in 2016toaddress social and economic inequalities, aiming to empower the most vulnerableNigerians, provide education and health services, promote social inclusion, andreduce poverty in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Thisstudy draws on various theories, including Social Investment theory, HumanCapital Theory, Capability Approach, Social Exclusion Theory, and Institutional Theory, toexplain sustainable poverty reduction. Qualitative and quantitative researchtechniques were employed, with 415 valid structured questionnaires analyzedusingIBM SPSS 2016. The research findings revealed that NSIP has achievedconsiderable success in sustainable poverty reduction in Benin City despite facingchallenges. Beneficiaries provided valuable recommendations and adjustmentstoensure the program’s long-term sustainability. They emphasize the needforsustained program continuity and expansion, alongside increased payment amountsand transparent financial processes to promote sustainable poverty reduction.

The aim of this study is to ascertain the impact of government spendingoneconomic growth in Nigeria with a focus on determining the long run and short runrelationship between government spending and economic growth. Secondaryaimof this study is to ascertain the degree of dependence of economic growth onotherindependent variables of inflation and labour force. The model employedinthisstudy is the OLS and the Error Correction Mechanism.. The time frame for thisstudy spanned between the year 1981-2020. This study , the study showedthat government spending had a beneficial and considerable impact on Nigeria'seconomic development. This will also succeed if every naira allocated for thisindex is wisely spent. The Real Gross Domestic Product is negativelyandnegligibly impacted by capital spending. It demonstrates that the regressionmodel has a negative association with both the coefficient result and the P-Value. Also, it was noted that raising white elephant project spending will only slowtherate of economic growth. Recurrent expenditure for example spending on educationhas a favourable and considerable effect on Nigeria's economic expansion. Thisdemonstrates that an increase in education spending will probably lead to a riseineconomic growth. This will also succeed if every naira allocated for this indexiswisely spent. However, it was suggested that Government spending, both capital and ongoing, needs to be managed and tracked during execution to improve comparablysuccessful outcomes in relation to economic growth. They should see toit that capital and ongoing expenses are appropriately managed so as to improvethecountry's foreign relations as it relates to conducting business with other nations. This will have a long-term effect of stabilising the economy and increasingthevalue of her currency, which will result in economic growth .

This study delves into the intricate relationship between currency hoarding, monetary policy, and inflation within the context of Nigeria for the periodof 1990to 2020. It aims to ascertain if there is a relationship between currency hoardingand inflation in Nigeria and also examine how currency hoarding af ects therelationship between monetary policy and inflation in Nigeria. The study wouldbeof utmost significance to student and other researchers who are interestedinunderstanding how currency hoarding af ects the relationship between monetarypolicy and inflation in Nigeria. It focuses on unravelling how changes in currencyin circulation, interest rates and money supply impact inflation dynamics. Themethodology employed is the Error Correction Model (ECM), analysingdataspanning the years 1990 to 2000. Findings reveal crucial insights. CurrencyinCirculation as a percentage of GDP (CPG) is positively related to inflationrate(INF), signifying that an increase in CPG contributes to inflationary pressures. Conversely, interest rates (INTR), exhibits a statistically significant negativerelationship with inflation, with higher interest rates acting as a counterforcetoinflation. However, changes in money supply (MS) shows no significant impact oninflation. The interaction term (CHMP) was found to have minimal impact oninflation. Policy recommendations drawn from these findings emphasizeabalanced management of currency in circulation to avoid excessive inflation, continued use of interest rates as an ef ective tool for controlling inflation, diversification of monetary policy tools, and the adaptation of holistic economicpolicies. Improved data collection and research, exchange rate management, andtransparent communication are also highlighted as critical factors for ef ectivelyaddressing inflation in Nigeria. In summary, this study uncovers the multifacetednature of inflation dynamics in Nigeria and provides valuable guidance for craftingcomprehensive policies to manage inflation in the nation.

This research work seek to examine the effect of propaganda on election credibility; a study of 2023 presidential election. The study made use of questionnaire to obtain data from respondent. Four objectives were raised for the study. The study found that that most respondents believed that campaign propaganda is used by candidates and political parties to modify the views, attitudes and behaviours of the electorate as opined by the high response of respondents. It also observed Campaign propaganda serves a dual purpose of educating electorate on the proposed plans and programmes of the incoming government and committing voters to exercise their franchise during elections. and thus recommend that the media must be regulated by law to disseminate objective messages during electioneering. Specifically, it must be restrained from been an appendage of a given political party, showing preference for any candidate and serving as tool to disseminate disinformation and hate speeches.

This study evaluates the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Nigeria using time series data of 30 years (1990-2020). The variables used for the study include recurrent expenditure, expenditure on highways, safety costs, education costs as the independent variables and real GDP as the dependent variable. Four objectives were formulated for the study and four hypotheses were also prepared in line with the objectives. Ex-post-facto research design was employed and the time series data was generated and analysed using regression analysis, Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) testing technique and Error Correction Model-based, Granger Causality, unit root test, and cointegration to examine the long run causal effect relationship that exist between government expenditure and economic growth in Nigeria. The study finds that government expenditure on highway, and expenditure on safety has positive significant effect on economic growth in Nigeria at 5% and 1% levels respectively, government recurrent expenditure has positive and no statistical significant on economic growth, while government expenditure on education has negative and no significant effect on the economic growth in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that Government should appropriate lesser portion of its expenditure to recurrent expenditure and pay more attention to capital expenditure as it is the major drive to economic growth.