FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study examines the impact of fiscal and financial policies on industrial performance in Nigeria over the period 1981 to 2023, drawing on endogenous growth theory, which emphasises the role of policy-driven capital accumulation, technological progress, and productivity in sustaining long-term economic growth. Specifically, the study investigates the effects of government expenditure and financial depth on industrial output, recognising that effective government intervention and a well-functioning financial system can generate growth-enhancing externalities. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is employed to capture both short-run and long-run dynamics. The empirical results reveal that government expenditure exerts a positive and statistically significant effect on industrial performance in both the short run and long run, supporting the endogenous growth proposition that productive public investment stimulates sustained industrial growth. In contrast, credit to the private sector, used as a measure of financial depth, has a negative and statistically significant effect, suggesting inefficiencies in the allocation of financial resources to the industrial sector. Inflation is found to have an insignificant effect on industrial performance. The ARDL bounds test confirms the existence of a stable long-run relationship among fiscal policy, financial policy, inflation, and industrial performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening productivity-oriented government expenditure, particularly in industrial infrastructure, alongside reforms in the financial sector to improve the effectiveness of private sector credit in supporting industrial activities. It further emphasises the need for coordinated and long-term fiscal and financial policy frameworks to promote sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

Background: Internal displacement can disrupt schooling through instability, resource constraints, and psychosocial stress, yet context-specific evidence on academic outcomes among adolescents living in camps in Edo State remains limited.

Objective: This study examines the effects of displacement on the academic performance of internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp, Benin City, Edo State, and identifies displacement-related factors associated with educational engagement and attainment.

Methods: A camp-based, cross-sectional mixed-methods design is proposed. Quantitative data will be gathered from internally displaced adolescents of secondary-school age using structured questionnaires covering displacement history, schooling continuity, learning conditions, and indicators of academic performance (e.g., recent grades or teacher-reported performance where available). Qualitative interviews or focus groups with adolescents, caregivers, and educators will explore perceived barriers and supports. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses will be used to assess associations between displacement-related exposures and academic performance, while thematic analysis will be applied to qualitative data to contextualize pathways and mechanisms.

Results: The study is expected to clarify how displacement experiences, interrupted schooling, access to learning materials, and psychosocial factors relate to academic performance within the camp setting, and to document key constraints and protective supports reported by stakeholders.

Conclusion: Findings will inform targeted educational and psychosocial interventions for internally displaced adolescents in Uhogua IDP Camp and guide policy responses to reduce displacement-related learning losses; causal inference will be limited by the cross-sectional design.

This study examined gender bias and legislative representation in Nigeria, with particular focus on the Tenth Senate, using the experiences of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a case study. The study sought to determine how party-level discrimination, media bias, financial discrimination, and political violence influence women's legislative representation and participation in Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative survey research design supported by qualitative insights and an ex-post facto approach. The population comprised the 109 members of the Tenth Senate, from which a sample size of 52 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane's formula. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and relevant secondary sources, including National Assembly records, scholarly publications, and media reports. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data with the aid of SPSS/STATA. The findings revealed that gender bias remains a significant barrier to women's legislative representation in Nigeria. Party-level discrimination, financial constraints, media bias, and political violence continue to hinder women's access to elective positions and limit their effectiveness within legislative institutions. The study further found that the experiences of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, including her committee reassignment, suspension, and interactions with Senate leadership, generated widespread debate on institutional fairness, gender equality, and women's representation in the Tenth Senate. The study concluded that increasing the number of women in legislative offices alone is insufficient without addressing the structural and institutional barriers that limit their participation and influence. It therefore recommended reforms in political party nomination processes, improved access to campaign finance, stronger protection against political violence, and the promotion of gender-sensitive policies to enhance women's legislative representation in Nigeria. Keywords: Gender bias, legislative representation, Tenth Senate, women in politics, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria.

This study examined the Influence of Organizational Politics on Employee Job Performance and Utilization in the Edo State Civil Service. Organisational politics, which often manifest through favoritism, nepotism, manipulation of procedures, and unequal distribution of opportunities, have become a significant concern in public sector organisations, with implications for employee effectiveness and optimal use of human resources. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and utilized a structured questionnaire to collect data from selected employees of the Edo State Civil Service. A total of 100 respondents were sampled using appropriate sampling techniques. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. Findings from the study revealed that various forms of organisational politics are prevalent in the Edo State Civil Service, including influence of personal relationships on work assignments, promotion decisions based on favoritism rather than merit, and selective enforcement of rules and policies. The results further showed that organisational politics negatively affect employees’ job performance by reducing morale, commitment, and productivity, while increasing workplace tension and dissatisfaction. In addition, the study found that organisational politics contribute to the underutilization of capable employees, as skills and competencies are often overlooked in task allocation and career advancement. The study concluded that organisational politics have a significant adverse effect on both job performance and employee utilization in the Edo State Civil Service. It therefore recommended that management should promote transparency, fairness, and merit-based practices in personnel decisions, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and ensure effective communication to minimize negative political behaviors and enhance employee performance and utilization.

This study investigates the causes and effects of school dropout among junior secondary school students in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State. Despite government interventions such as the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program, school dropout remains a persistent challenge, particularly in rural and underdeveloped regions. The study identifies key factors contributing to dropout, including economic hardship, family-related issues such as early marriage and teenage pregnancy, poor academic performance, and peer pressure leading to involvement in social vices. These factors are examined within the socio-economic and cultural context of the LGA. The study further explores the effects of dropout, which include limited employment opportunities, perpetuation of poverty, social isolation, and broader consequences for national development such as reduced literacy levels and strained educational resources. Findings reveal that existing interventions, including scholarship programs and mentorship initiatives, have not fully addressed the root causes of dropout in the area. The study recommends more targeted, context-specific strategies that account for the socio-economic and cultural realities of the region in order to improve school retention and ensure equitable access to education for all students.

This study evaluates the functionality of satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Satellite towns are usually designed to ease pressure on major cities. The objectives of this study were to examine the sociodemographic attributes of residents in the satellite towns; examine the functions of satellite towns in the FCT; evaluate their effectiveness in reducing population pressure in the Federal Capital City (FCC); assess the availability of infrastructural facilities; and examine residents’ perceptions of the quality of life (liveability) in these towns. A mixed-methods approach was adopted to achieve these objectives, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative analyses of socio-demographic characteristics, infrastructure facilities, housing conditions, healthcare access, environmental quality, and governance. Data was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and an interview guide from a total of 1,110 respondents across selected satellite towns including the more developed satellite towns such as Kubwa and Bwari and the less-developed satellite towns like Kusaki-Yanga and Anagada. Interview was conducted with 5 purposively selected key informants. The study employed a multistage and systematic sampling technique with data analysis encompassing cross-tabulations and inferential statistical methods of Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ANOVA, and Multiple Regression. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that satellite towns play a critical role in reducing urban congestion, decentralizing economic activities, and fostering urban growth. However, disparities in
infrastructure and service delivery emerged as significant challenges, with underdeveloped satellite towns experiencing acute infrastructural deficits. Key infrastructural gaps identified in these satellite towns include unreliable electricity, inadequate water supply, poorly developed road networks within some satellite towns, and ineffective waste management system. Healthcare and educational facilities were found to be moderately available, although disparities persist between towns. Additionally, environmental quality concerns, including poor air quality, inadequate drainage systems, and limited access to recreational and open spaces, further constrain the liveability of these towns. Residents expressed moderate satisfaction with governance, citing deficiencies in civic engagement, enforcement of urban planning regulations as critical governance challenges. Despite these constraints, the potential of satellite towns to significantly enhance urban functionality and liveability in the FCT is evident. To address the identified challenges, the study recommends prioritizing investments in critical infrastructure, such as electricity, water supply,
road connectivity, and waste management system, particularly in the less-developed satellite towns. Improving access to affordable housing, healthcare, and educational services are also essential to enhancing the quality of life of residents. Furthermore, targeted environmental interventions, including urban greening and air quality improvement, are necessary to promote sustainable urban life. Strengthening governance mechanisms and in enhancing community participation in urban planning are also advocated. By so doing, the satellite towns would be fulfilling their functions of easing population pressure on the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This study examines efficiency management and accountability within the Nigerian local government system, using Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State as a case study. Local governments are strategically positioned to drive grassroots development; however, their operational efficiency and accountability mechanisms are frequently compromised by systemic challenges. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the extent to which financial accountability and administrative efficiency impact public service delivery in Akoko-Edo. Using a mixed-methods research design, data was gathered through structured questionnaires administered to local government staff and residents, alongside semi-structured interviews with key council officials. Secondary data was sourced from local government financial reports, academic journals, and official publications. The theoretical framework for this study is anchored on the Principal-Agent Theory and Democratic Decentralization Theory. The findings reveal that while institutional frameworks for accountability exist, their efficacy is severely undermined by: Interference: Excessive political encroachment from the state government, particularly through the State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA). Capacity Gaps: Inadequate training of administrative staff and weak internal audit mechanisms. Lack of Transparency: Poor public access to financial records, which stifles community engagement and oversight. Consequently, the study notes that inefficiency and a lack of robust accountability have resulted in dilapidated rural infrastructure, suboptimal healthcare services, and a general deficit in grassroots development. Based on these findings, the study recommends: Financial Autonomy: The full implementation of local government autonomy to eliminate restrictive state-level financial controls. Institutional Reforms: Strengthening internal and external audit processes, alongside regular capacity-building workshops for local government personnel. Community-Inclusive Budgeting: Adopting open-governance frameworks that allow Akoko-Edo residents to actively participate in project formulation and monitoring, thereby fostering a culture of mutual accountability.

The effects of drug use on first-year students at University of Benin (UNIBEN) were the focus of this study. The goals were to determine what elements were at play, assess how it affected things like social relationships, psychological health, and academic achievement, and to look at how social work treatments may help. This descriptive survey study surveyed 400 undergraduates (100L-400L) using Taro- Yamane determination techniques, in addition to 20 university health/mental-health professionals and 10 administrative staff members who were picked at random. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect data, and then descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, percentages, and standard deviations) were the main tools for analysis. Based on the results, it seems that the main reasons why students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) use drugs are: peer pressure, academic stress and pressure, natural curiosity, lack of parental supervision, and the ease of access to drugs on and around campus. There will be measurable drops in focus and performance in the classroom, more absences, mental health issues (such as anxiety and depression), worsening physical health, and more participation in antisocial behaviors (such as cult membership, aggressiveness, and truancy). The importance of social workers to prevention and rehabilitation initiatives was emphasized by participants. Awareness campaigns, counseling, referrals to rehabilitation, student orientation, and cooperation across departments are all part of these endeavors. But there are institutional constraints that restrict the breadth of services provided, such as insufficient financing and a lack of qualified social workers. According to the results, drug abuse is a complex problem among college students, calling for holistic solutions based on ecological principles. Among other things, the study pushed for more funding and institutional support for campus social work units, more structured counseling and peer support programs, more targeted awareness and screening campaigns, and better partnerships between health services, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other organizations to improve drug abuse prevention, early detection, and rehabilitation.

This study examined the problem of parental negligence and its implications for children’s welfare in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The research sought to determine the prevalence, causes, and effects of parental negligence on children’s physical, emotional, and educational development, as well as to assess the role of social workers in addressing this growing social concern. Guided by Attachment Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory, the study adopted a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through interviews with children, caregivers, and social workers using semi-structured interview guides. Findings revealed that poverty, single parenthood, substance abuse, cultural beliefs, and inadequate parental education were the major determinants of negligence in the study area. Neglect manifested through poor nutrition, lack of supervision, educational deprivation, and emotional abandonment, all of which negatively impacted children’s well-being and academic performance. The study further found that social workers play a critical role in identifying, counseling, and rehabilitating affected families, though their efforts are often constrained by poor funding, limited train\\ing, and weak policy enforcement. It was concluded that parental negligence significantly undermines children’s welfare and social development in Oredo LGA. The study recommends intensified community sensitization, stronger enforcement of the Child Rights Act, increased government support for social work practice, and the establishment of sustainable child welfare programs to protect vulnerable children and break the intergenerational cycle of neglect.