FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study investigates the impact of social work intervention in caring for the elderly in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State. The research aims to identify the challenges faced by the elderly in the region and examine the effectiveness of social work interventions in improving their well-being and quality of life. A mixed-method research design was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods. The study's findings are expected to highlight the crucial role of social workers in providing emotional support, facilitating access to necessary resources, and promoting empowerment and self-management among the elderly. The study's results will have significant implications for policy and practice, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to address the healthcare challenges faced by the elderly in Egor Local Government Area.

This study examined the impact of staff training on employee’s productivity in Edo State Civil Service. The main objective of the study was to examine the relationship between government training policies and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service. This research study utilized the primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source of data collection consists of information specifically gathered through personal observations, interviews, and responses to a well-structured questionnaire. While the secondary source was drawn from existing literatures, both published and unpublished, relevant to the topic, which includes textbooks, journals, newspapers, and international financial publications related to development. The data collected were presented in a tabular form with focus on the major research questions in other to enable the researcher determine the results. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage analysis. Findings from the study revealed that there was significant relationship between staff training and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service; there was significant relationship between government training policies and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service; and there was significant relationship between career development training and employee’s productivity in Edo State civil service. The study recommended that the civil service should conduct regular assessments to identify specific training needs and skill gaps among its employees. This analysis should involve feedback from staff and managers in order to tailor training programs effectively; and that the civil service should develop a range of training programs that cater for different levels of expertise and areas of specialization. These should include orientation for new employees, technical skills enhancement, leadership development, and soft skills training.

This study examined the determinants of fiscal sustainability in Nigeria from 1990 to 2023. The research motivation stemmed from Nigeria’s ongoing increase in debt levels despite periods of significant oil revenue. Annual time-series data were evaluated using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing method, which is suitable when dealing with variables that are integrated at mixed orders, I(0) and I(1). Descriptive analysis revealed notable volatility in oil revenue and inflation, highlighting the erratic nature of Nigeria's macroeconomic landscape. Unit root tests confirmed that the variables exhibited a combination of integration orders, while the bounds test verified a long-term equilibrium relationship. Over the long term, oil revenue and economic growth had significant negative impacts on the debt-to-GDP ratio, suggesting that increase in oil revenue and economic output help alleviate the country's debt burden. The interest rate, although negative, had a less straightforward effect on debt, while inflation displayed a weak and marginal influence. Short-term dynamics from the Error Correction Model (ECM) indicated that deviations from equilibrium are quickly corrected, with approximately 77 percent of disequilibrium addressed within one period. Diagnostic tests indicated no presence of serial correlation or heteroskedasticity, implying that the model is well-structured and dependable. The study concludes that effective management of oil revenue and steady economic growth play a crucial role in Nigeria’s debt sustainability. It thus recommends the implementation of sound fiscal policies, diversification of the economy beyond oil, and careful allocation of borrowed resources to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability and sustainable public debt management

This study was designed to examine the work-life balance and its impact on employee performance in Edo State Civil Service (2011– 2021). The objectives of the study include the following: To examine if work flexibility affects the organizational productivity in Edo state civil service, to investigate if employer/employee relationship have any effect on increased productivity in Edo State civil service, to examine the influence of work environment on organizational productivity in Edo State civil service, to investigate how job security affects organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. The study adopted survey research design. The population of study of this research is made up of the population of study of this research is made up of both senior and junior staff of three ministries (Information and Orientation, Commerce and Industries and education) of Edo state civil service with a population of 6,241. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. Out of the 600 questionnaires distributed, 587 copies were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and chi square analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered amongst others that, work flexibility has an impact on organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. Also, Safe work environment affects organizational productivity in Edo state civil service. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, more work flexibility should be encouraged in Edo state civil service. Also, healthy employer employee relationship should be cultivated in Edo state civil service.

Graetz (2006) asserts that all learning takes place in a physical environment with quantifiable and perceptible physical characteristics, be it in a large lecture hall, underneath a tree, or in front of a computer screen. Lizzio, Wilson and Simons (2002) identified the learning environment as a major variable in the interacting system of the learning process. Learning environment and how it is perceived by the students or learners have been identified as having major influence on both learning processes and outcomes. In this regard, Frenzel, Pekrun and Goetz (2007) reports that numerous studies have clearly demonstrated the significant relationship between perceived learning environmentand student achievement. Randhawa and Michayluk (1974) attribute much of the reliable variance in student performance to the aptitude of the learner and the environment of learning. In the view of Zhu, Valcke, Schellens and Li (2009), the quality of student learning seems to be closely related to their perceptions of the learning environment.

This study explores how youths in the Ekosodin community and students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) feel about "indecent dressing." It looks at the factors that influence students' clothing choices, especially styles considered indecent. The research also examines how students believe society reacts to their dressing and how it impacts their social interactions, academics, and personal identity. To gather information, surveys were conducted with UNIBEN students and Ekosodin residents, and the responses were analyzed to identify trends. The study found that social media, fashion trends, and peer pressure play a big role in shaping how students dress. A student's choice of clothing also affects their social interactions and their sense of belonging in the community. Additionally, students who dress "indecently" are more likely to face bullying or harassment. However, fashion is also a way for students to express themselves, and their dressing style can influence how they see themselves. Overall, the study revealed that students’ opinions on "indecent dressing" are strongly influenced by their peers and the broader community. This shows that dressing is not just a personal choice but also a social issue. The research concludes that there should be a balance between personal fashion freedom and respecting cultural norms. It highlights how students must navigate self-expression, societal expectations, and peer influence when making clothing choices.

The health of any federal state is a product of the relationship between or among the various component governments. Consequently, Inter Governmental Relations (IGR) has become a critical issue in federal studies. IGR is an important body of activities or interactions occurring between governmental units of all types and levels within the federal system in Nigeria. The assertiveness and boundary consciousness of the units are giving way to an operational concert of the integration of resources and the joint use of power to solve socio-political and economic problems mutually. For instance, the growing complexity of problems or more appropriately, the necessities of society created a sense of national purpose and growth of national programming characterized by the intellectual homogenization of the public sector. This development gradually transformed democratic administration into bureaucratic administration in which the centre looms large and therefore, changed the original federal form in which “the legal and political competence of each unit of government is limited in relation to the legal and political competence of other units of government.

This study examined the effect of corruption on revenue generation among civil servants in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it is evident that various forms of corruption, including bribery, fund misappropriation, and kickbacks, significantly undermine the revenue generation capacity of the government in Edo State. The specific objectives were to evaluate the impact of corruption perception onrevenue generating among civil servants in Benin City; investigate the effect of misappropriation on revenue generation among civil servant in Benin City; determine the impact of bribery on revenue generation among civil servants in Benin City; and analyze the influence of kickbacks on revenue generation among civil servants in Benin City; The study used primary data sourced from the respondents from the various ministries, departments and agencies in Benin City, the Edo State capital. The study adopted the descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, andmeanas well as the cross section regression technique. The findings of this study show that corruption perception has a negative significant impact on revenue generation capacity in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It was discovered that fund misappropriation has an adverse significant impact on the revenue generation capacity in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It was revealed that level of bribery has a significant negative effect on revenue generation capacity of government in Benin City, Edo State. It was found that kickbacks among civil servants have a significant negative impact on the revenue generation capacity of the Edo State. Thus, the study recommended that government should implement regular public disclosure of revenue collection and expenditure reports to build trust in the system. Strengthening accountability mechanisms—such as audits, clear documentation of processes, and transparent financial reporting—can make it more difficult for corrupt practices to go unnoticed and improve citizens' confidence in the revenue collection system. The state government should strengthen anti-corruption laws and ensure robust enforcement with clear penalties for offenses.

This study investigates the effects of gender dynamics and sexual harassment on students at the University of Benin, with a specific focus on the impact these issues have on academic performance. Gender-related challenges, including sexual harassment, continue to affect university students, influencing their overall educational experiences. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 100 students to explore the relationship between gender dynamics, sexual harassment, and academic outcomes. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation, with students who experience sexual harassment or encounter gender-based discrimination showing lower academic performance compared to their peers. The study identifies stress, fear of retaliation, and lack of institutional support as major contributors to the detrimental effects of these issues. Basedo n the findings, the research recommends the establishment of robust counseling services, awareness programs, and stronger institutional policies to address gender-based violence and harassment. This research highlights the need for comprehensive interventions to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

Teenage pregnancy refers to pregnancy occurring in girls under the age of 18. According to Sambo (2019), it is often unwanted, unplanned, and occurs outside of marriage. One contributing factor is early physical maturity, which varies among individuals and is often accompanied by the onset of menstruation. Ede (2016) noted that a physically mature adolescent girl may become aware of her attractiveness to the opposite sex. This awareness, combined with a lack of proper social training and self-discipline, may lead her to view sexual activity as a means of social, emotional, or financial gratification, ultimately resulting in pregnancy. Ede further emphasized that teenage pregnancy is a pressing issue due to the overwhelming challenges that young people face regarding sexual matters. Additionally, teenage pregnancy may result from sexual abuse, a prevalent issue in society today. Nwoke (2018) highlighted that children who experience abuse at an early age may struggle with emotional trauma throughout their lives. Beyond its impact on sexual health, abuse can also hinder personal development and autonomy. Various factors contribute to the prevalence of teenage pregnancy worldwide, differing across time and regions.