FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This research study was centered on the Rural Development Policy And The Quality Of Life Among Farmers In Ovia North East LGA, Edo State. To carry out this research study, the primary and secondary sources of data collection were utilized. To conduct the study, a total of four research questions were formulated thirteen questions were administered to the respondents to collect response from them. The instruments of data gathering is this study is the used of questionnaires which served as primary sources of data while books, journal, internet, libraries and paper presentation served as secondary sources. The findings reveals that the establishments of microfinance banks is primarily to meet the unsatisfied demand created by the inability or unwillingness of the more formal institution to offer to small enterprises and poor household adequate access of their deposit and credit facilities as well as other financial products and services. Lastly, it was recommended that the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) should improve on their conditions for credit guarantee in order to make agricultural financing attractive to commercial banks.

The study examined the Impact of E-Governance on Public Service Delivery: A Study of Edo State Civil Service Commission. The study specifically aimed to examine the extent to which e-governance has enhanced efficiency and transparency in public service delivery in the Edo State Civil Service Commission, assess the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools in improving administrative performance within the Edo State Civil Service Commission, determine the impact of e-payment systems and digital platforms on accountability and financial management in the Commission, identify the major challenges hindering the effective implementation of e-governance initiatives in the Edo State Civil Service Commission, recommend strategies for
strengthening e-governance to promote sustainable public service delivery and good governance in Edo State. A total of 400 respondents were selected from State Civil Service Commission using simple random sampling techniques. The research instrument used was a structured questionnaire designed in line with the research questions. (SPSS) was used as a method of data analysis. Base on the findings, the study concludes that e-governance has simplified administrative procedures and reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously hindered effective service delivery. It was also concluded that e-governance has significantly improved the accuracy, reliability, and accessibility of information within the Commission. The study concludes that capacity building for civil servants is essential for sustaining the gains of e-governance. Continuous ICT training and retraining programs will equip personnel with the necessary skills to effectively utilize digital platforms and improve service delivery outcomes. Based on the findings and conclusion, the following recommendations were made that there is need for the Edo State Government to
make substantial investments in modern ICT infrastructure to strengthen and sustain e-governance operations within the Civil Service Commission. This includes providing reliable power supply, functional servers, and stable internet connectivity to ensure smooth and uninterrupted digital service delivery. There is need for continuous capacity building of civil servants through regular ICT training and retraining programs. Such initiatives will improve digital literacy, enhance staff efficiency, and enable workers to effectively utilize electronic governance tools in their daily administrative duties.
There is need for collaboration between the government and private ICT experts to drive innovation and technical support in e-governance. Such partnerships will enhance knowledge transfer, strengthen cybersecurity, and ensure the adoption of global best practices in public administration.

This study explored the roles of social workers in hospital settings with a specific focus on the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The increasing complexities of patients' biopsychosocial needs in modern healthcare systems necessitate a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, of which social work plays a critical role. The study adopted a case study research design comprising both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interview) data collection methods to explore the various roles undertaken by social workers within the hospital setting. Specifically, the research investigated how social workers contribute to patient care, psychosocial assessments, discharge planning, mental health support, advocacy, and policy development in the hospital environment. A total of 131 questionnaires were distributed to healthcare professionals and patients, while 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with practicing social workers at UBTH. Findings revealed that social workers are pivotal in bridging the gap between the medical and psychosocial needs of patients, advocating for patient rights, coordinating care plans, and providing emotional and psychological support to both patients and their families. Challenges such as limited recognition, understaffing, and poor working conditions were also identified. The study concluded with recommendations aimed at improving the visibility, support, and operational environment for hospital social workers in Nigeria. Keywords: Social work, social worker, hospital setting, patient care, inter-professional collaboration.

This study examined the impact of social media on voting behaviour and youth advocacy in Edo State during the 2024 governorship election. The increasing penetration of digital technologies has transformed political communication, making social media a central platform for political engagement, particularly among youths. The study was guided by four specific objectives: to assess the level of youth engagement on social media during the election, to analyse how social media content influenced voting decisions, to evaluate the role of social media in youth advocacy movements, and to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with its use in political participation. A quantitative research design was adopted using a cross-sectional survey method. Data were collected from 400 respondents, out of which 389 valid responses were analysed. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tools such as chi-square and Pearson correlation. Findingsrevealed a high level ofsocial media engagement among youths, with a majority actively following and sharing election-related content. The study further found that social media had a significant influence on voting behaviour, as a substantial proportion of respondents reported that social media content shaped their voting decisions and candidate preferences. In addition, the study established that social media played a meaningful role in youth advocacy, with many respondents participating in online campaigns and voter education activities. However, the study also identified major challenges, including the widespread dissemination of misinformation and difficulty in distinguishing credible information from false content. Hypotheses testing confirmed that social media significantly influenced both youths voting behaviour and advocacy outcomes during the election. The study concludes that social media is a powerful tool for political mobilization and participation among youths in Edo State, though its effectiveness is moderated by issues of misinformation and digital literacy. It recommends that policymakers, electoral bodies, and stakeholders strengthen digital literacy initiatives, regulate misinformation, and leverage social media platforms for effective civic engagement and voter education.

arty defection has become a defining feature of Nigeria Fourth Republic, but its impact on political stability at the local government level is still poorly understood. This study looks at how legislative and elite defection affects political stability in Delta State, focusing on Ethiope West and Ughelli North Local Government Areas. Both areas are in Nigeria’s oil rich Niger Delta, a region shaped by complex ethnic politics and struggles over resources. The research has three main goals: to find out what drives political actors to defect, to analyze how defection affects political stability, and to understand what it means for democracy at the local level. The study uses a mixed methods approach. It includes survey data from 384 randomly selected registered voters, semi structured interviews with 24 political party executives and community leaders, and six focus group discussions across the two LGAs. The research was quantitativelly analyzed data using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis. The results showed that defection happens mainly for two reasons: rational calculations like access to money, resources, and electoral wins, and institutional problems such as weak party structures and lack of ideological commitment. The consequences cut across multiple areas. Politically, defections spark conflicts within communities, worsen rivalries among elites, and disrupt governance over time. Institutionally, they damage public trust in political parties and elections, which leads to voter apathy and a backslide in democracy. The study also found that involuntary defection where politicians are intimidated and cohersed to leave through blackmail and witch hunting is a real but understudied issue in the Niger Delta. This research adds to the broader conversation on African party politics by focusing on the local government level, which researchers often ignore. The study concludes that unless party institutionalization is strengthened and the root causes of opportunistic defection are addressed, political stability and democratic progress in Delta State and other resource dependent regions like it will remain fragile. The study recommends, among other things, building internal party democracy and creating laws that reduce the disruptive effects of cross carpeting on local governance. vi

Background: Rapid social and technological change may reshape ageing experiences, yet community-specific evidence on how modernization relates to the challenges faced by older adults in OkO-Gba Care Community, Edo State, remains limited. Objective: This study aims to examine the correlation between modernization and the challenges of the aged population in OkO-Gba Care Community, Edo State, and to clarify which domains of modernization are most closely associated with reported ageing-related difficulties. Methods: An IMRaD-oriented investigation will be conducted in OkO-Gba Care Community using a correlational design. Data will be collected from the aged population on indicators of modernization exposure and on key challenges experienced in later life within the community context. Correlation-focused analytical procedures will be used to assess the direction and strength of associations between modernization-related measures and identified challenges. Results: The study is expected to describe the pattern of association between modernization and challenges among the aged population in OkO-Gba Care Community, indicating whether greater modernization exposure corresponds to reduced, intensified, or differently distributed challenges across key areas of later-life wellbeing. Conclusion: By specifying how modernization correlates with the challenges of older adults in OkO-Gba Care Community, Edo State, the study is intended to inform community- and policy-level responses that better align modernization processes with the needs of ageing populations.

Corruption remains one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly within the public sector, where it undermines accountability, transparency, and effective service delivery. The Nigeria Police Force, as the primary institution responsible for maintaining law and order, has been significantly affected by corrupt practices such as bribery, nepotism, favoritism, and abuse of office. These practices have weakened public confidence, reduced operational efficiency, and hindered the police's ability to prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and enforce the law effectively. This study examines the impact of corruption on the performance of the Nigeria Police Force and its implications for public security and national development. It also highlights the challenges facing the police in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities and emphasizes the need for institutional reforms, improved accountability, ethical leadership, and stronger anti-corruption measures. The study concludes that reducing corruption within the police institution is essential for enhancing public trust, improving security, and promoting sustainable national development.

This study examined the determinants of later life satisfaction among senior citizens in
Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. The study arose from the limited context-specific
evidence on later life satisfaction in Nigeria, particularly the absence of an integrated
analysis of how socio-economic factors, health care status, social support networks, and
place of residence shape well-being among older adults. Guided by Disengagement Theory
and Activity Theory of Ageing, the study investigated the relationship between socioeconomic
factors and later life satisfaction, assessed the influence of health care status on
well-being, evaluated the role of social support networks, compared later life satisfaction
between rural and urban senior citizens, and identified areas of later life conditions that
require improvement. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods approach and used a
correlational survey research design. The population comprised male and female senior
citizens aged 60 years and above in rural and urban communities in Benin Metropolis. A
sample size of 1,350 respondents was selected, and 1,309 valid questionnaires were
retrieved and analysed, representing a response rate of 97.0 percent. The study used
multistage sampling, while accidental sampling was adopted at the community level because
no comprehensive sampling frame for senior citizens existed. The researcher collected
quantitative data through structured questionnaires and qualitative data through in-depth
interviews with purposively selected elderly participants. The study analysed quantitative
data with descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS), while it analysed qualitative data through manual content analysis and
thematic analysis.
The study found that later life satisfaction in Benin Metropolis is multidimensional and
strongly influenced by socio-economic conditions, health care status, social support
networks, early life experiences, and place of residence. Among the socio-economic
variables, age, marital status, education, and economic status significantly influenced later
life satisfaction. Younger seniors aged 60–64 years reported higher satisfaction than older
age groups, while married respondents expressed greater satisfaction than widowed or
divorced respondents. Health care status emerged as another major determinant. Seniors
who engaged in regular health check-ups, had access to health facilities, and rated the
quality of care positively reported higher satisfaction, whereas poor access to health care and
frequent health challenges reduced satisfaction. Seniors who enjoyed emotional support,
financial assistance, and active participation in community life reported greater well-being
than those who experienced weak family ties or social isolation. The study identified
financial security, housing conditions, health care access, social support, recreation, and
participation in community decision-making as the key areas requiring improvement.
The study concluded that later life satisfaction among senior citizens in Benin Metropolis
depends less on inevitable withdrawal from social life and more on the extent to which older
adults retain economic security, access to quality health care, supportive social relationships,
and opportunities for meaningful participation. The study therefore recommended the
expansion of pension support, improved geriatric health services, stronger community-based
social support programmes, targeted rural interventions, and broader opportunities for social
inclusion and participation among older adults.

The study investigated awareness creation of mental health in the society by social workers in Okabere Community in Ikpoba Okha LGA of Benin City Edo state, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the level of awareness creation of mental health by Social Workers. Five research questions were asked to achieve the objective of the study. The sample size was 301 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that Due to the negative impact of social media on student’s life, such as ineffective studies, poor academic performance and the general mental health status, putting effective measures in place is pertinent to their academic success and general life. This was done by identifying the major ways social workers couldcreate awareness of mental health and finding the appropriate remedy, based on the analysis made, this thesis , It was discovered that, there is a big relationship between mental health awareness and mental health balance in Okabere community as 59.1% of the respondents strongly agreed to the question ,. It is therefore recommended that recommended that social auxiliary workers assist the social workers in the provision of mental health services. This is because the high caseloads that each social worker is typically burdened with is a precursor to mental fatigue and consequent decline in effectiveness