FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

The study investigated the impact of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in public policy advocacy in Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of the study, four (4) research questions were raised and answered. To achieve the purpose of the study, four (4) research questions were raised and answered. . The sample size for the study was made up of 100 respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study revealed that NGOs have made significant contributions to public policy reforms, particularly in the health sector, where they have actively engaged in advocacy, awareness campaigns, and partnerships with government agencies to improve healthcare delivery and accountability. It was concluded that NGOs have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in advocacy and policy influence in Nigeria. The study recommended among others that the government should strengthen partnerships with NGOs by creating formal frameworks for consultation and participation in policy formulation, particularly in the health, education, and gender sectors.

Elder abuse is still a major issue in communities all over the world, including Ekosodin in Edo State, Nigeria. This study explored the scourge of elders’ abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State. The prevalent problem of elder abuse in the Ekosodin community was investigated in this research, emphasizing its complexity and the difficulties it presents. Four research objectives
were formulated in this study. The study specifically determined the factors influencing elderly abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State; examined the causes of elders abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State; ascertained the effects of elders abuse in Ekosodin community, Edo State and examined the roles of social work in ameliorating the incidence of elder abuse in Ekosodin
community, Edo State. The study utilized the cross-sectional survey research design because the respondents were from
different economic background. The population of the study was 229,500 (population projection, 2022). The sample size of the study was 400 research participants. The study utilized the structured questionnaire as the instrument of data collection. The study also utilized the quantitative method of data collection. The results of the study were analyzed with the use of the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (23.0) programme and they were presented using tables and charts. The result of the study showed that elder abuse in Ekosodin can take many different forms, including physical, emotional, financial, and inattentive abuse, and it affects a lot of elderly people. The necessity of tackling elder abuse in Ekosodin is highlighted by this study. Community-centred solutions should be implemented, including awareness campaigns, support networks, procedures for reporting abuse, access to resources, and campaigning for local laws. By putting these measures in place, the Ekosodin community may attempt to make its older residents' surroundings safer and more respectful, therefore enhancing their wellbeing and
protecting their dignity. To secure the safety and empowerment of older individuals in this community, the battle against elder abuse in Ekosodin requires for collaborative action including community members, leaders, organizations, and governmental institutions.

This study examined the effect of party politics and the nature of political campaigns in Nigeria, with specific emphasis on the 2023 presidential election in Edo State. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 135 respondents and this formed our sample size. Three hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary method or sources of data collection included the use of a research instrument (the questionnaire). Some research questions were asked as guide to the respondents in order to elicit firsthand information on the subject matter. Secondary sources of data collection on the other hand, included textbooks, journal, government documents and internet materials. The study adopted the use of simple percentage, tables, descriptive content approach and Chi-Square to analyze the data collected and test hypothesis. The study revealed that there is significant relationship between language used by politicians and electoral violence, it was also revealed that political debates/interview has positive significant influence on electorates during election in Edo State. Based on the research findings, the study recommended that Political candidates and parties should strive to practice politics without bitterness by making frantic efforts to inform or persuade electorates rather than deceive them with enticing words. Political candidates and parties should adopt simple expressions to communicate their political agenda without the use of force, violence, destructive tendencies and unhealthy rivalry.

This study examined the impact of parent–child relationships on psychological and cognitive maturity among adolescents in Upper Sakponba, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State. The main objectives were to investigate how parental communication, emotional support, discipline, and socio-economic background influence the mental, emotional, and intellectual development of adolescents. The study was anchored on four theoretical frameworks: Attachment Theory, Ecological Systems Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Cognitive Development Theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from a sample of adolescents and parents using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using frequency tables and simple percentages to determine the extent to which parent–child interactions affect adolescents’ psychological and cognitive growth. The findings revealed that supportive, affectionate, and communicative parenting promotes emotional stability, confidence, and intellectual independence among adolescents. Conversely, neglect, poor communication, and harsh disciplinary practices were found to hinder psychological adjustment and cognitive development. The study concludes that a positive parent–child relationship plays a vital role in fostering both psychological and cognitive maturity in adolescents. It is recommended that parents adopt democratic and empathetic parenting styles, maintain open communication with their children, and provide consistent emotional and moral guidance. Furthermore, community-based programs and governmental policies should focus on parent education and family support to strengthen the overall well-being of adolescents.

The study examined the upsurge in mental health issues among single parents in Egor local government area of Edo state. The study investigated the types of mental health issues among single parents in Egor Local Government Area, of Edo State. Find out if lack of finance promotes the surge in mental health issues among single parents in Egor Local Government Area, of Edo State. Find out if there is a significant relationship between mental health issues faced by single parent families and their separation from their spouse. From the population 400 respondents were purposively selected for the study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information from the respondents. This was ascertained to be both valid and reliable. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentages; The level of significance was taken at 0.05 alpha level. While conclusion revolves around these findings, it wasrecommended that Sociologist and counsellors should encourage couples to develop positive
attitudes that will cause their marriage to last longer in other to avoid mental illness. The government should establish and fund counselling centres at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professional counsellors to help couples or single parent who are going through mental stress. Medical professionals are in position to help single mothers; who have been through the issues before to avoid a repeat of it. There should be public enlightenment through the mass media on the negative effects of divorce, separation etc. Young couples planning to get married should be guided on the ways to avoid desertion in the intimate relationship of marriage.

This study investigates the impact of fiscal deficit on inflation in Nigeria from 1990 to 2022 and examines whether interest rate adjustments, represented by the Treasury Bill rate, mediate this relationship. Anchored on the Fiscal Theory of the Price Level (FTPL), the study utilized annual data from the CBN, NBS, and IMF. Using ADF unit root tests, Johansen Cointegration, VECM estimation, and the Baron and Kenny mediation framework supported by the Sobel–Goodman test, the analysis confirmed a significant long-run relationship among fiscal deficit, inflation, interest rate, exchange rate, and money supply. Fiscal deficit exerted a strong positive and persistent influence on inflation, while money supply further intensified inflationary pressures.
The results also showed that the Treasury Bill rate and exchange rate had weak and statistically insignificant effects on inflation. Mediation analysis revealed that interest rate adjustments account for only 27.6% of the total effect, indicating partial mediation and limited monetary policy effectiveness under fiscal dominance. Overall, the findings suggest that inflation in Nigeria is largely driven by fiscal imbalances rather than monetary tightening. The study highlights the need for improved fiscal discipline, strengthened policy coordination, and reforms aimed at enhancing macroeconomic stability.

This study examines the health behaviour and maternal mortality in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State and adopted a qualitative research method with survey instruments deployed to gather relevant data for analysis. The study examines the socio-economic factors that influence women's health behaviours in Egor Local Government Area; evaluates the cultural variables that contribute to women's delayed access to healthcare in the study area; interrogates the types of healthcare services that influence women's access to healthcare and health-related behaviours in the research area, it examines the type of health habits of women in the area and investigates how common maternal mortality in the research area. Findings revealed that positive relationship exist between socio-economic factors and women's health behaviours in the study area; it was also revealed that there is a relationship between cultural variables and women's delayed access to healthcare in Egor local government area. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the health workers such as mid-wives should be knowledgeable enough
to understand the possible risk factors affecting pregnant women in the communities where they practice. It was also recommended that health worker be trained and, they should be able to provide emotional support, education, and practicalities that are personalised.

For many Nigerian employees, salary and wages is a critical issue. They are decisive because without them in sufficient quantities, life becomes extremely precarious for the worker and members of his/her family. As direct financial rewards, wages and salaries is the most emphasized by the employee that it sort of takes a center stage in the scheme of things as far as reward for work is concerned. In the study methodology, the study adopts the survey research design, the population of study of this research is made up of the total number of Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) staff which stands at an estimated population of 1358 workers made up of both junior and senior staff which includes both office staff and field workers. The sampling technique used for this study is the simple and probability sampling technique. Also, questionnaire was used as an instrument of data collection, while the techniques of data analysis was the simple percentage and chi square analytical method. The study found amongst others there are strong links between effective salary/wages administration and workers performance in EIRS. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, a well-structured reward system should be put in place in EIRS in order to enable employees to feel more valued and cherished in the organisation.

The advent of the internet has revolutionized various aspects of human life, including education. However, this progress has also given rise to new forms of crime, specifically cybercrime. Cybercrime refers to any illegal activity that primarily uses a computer as its medium. This broad category encompasses actions such as hacking, phishing, identity theft, and online scams. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a significant surge in cybercrime, with university students being notably involved. This trend poses a grave concern for many educational institutions, including the University of Benin. The involvement of students in these illicit activities tarnishes the reputation of their respective institutions and poses severe threats to their academic achievements¹.

The study examined the impact of banditry and kidnapping for ransom on the people of Nigeria with implications for National security. The general objective of the study was to examine the extent to which banditry and kidnapping activities have affected the right to life, personal liberty, freedom and progress of people in Nigeria and to determine the implication for Nigeria’s
National security. The scope of the study covered the period between 2014 and 2022. The paper posits that banditry and kidnapping for ransom activities have negatively affected the life and freedom of people living in Nigeria and thus are a problem for National security. The study adopted the critical discuss analysis approach in the analysis of the phenomena of the study. Themes were generated from the research questions and the phenomena of the study were thus examined under various sub-headings for patterns and analysis. The findings show that banditry and kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria have negatively and mostly affected the right to life, freedom and progress of people in Nigeria and hurt National security; hence, the Nigerian
security architecture is weak. Consequently, the study recommends that the government security forces should be complemented by private security outfits and vigilantes in all towns and villages; the security and intelligence capacity of the military and the police forces should be built up for effective management of information; and that people in Nigeria should be allowed by an act of parliament to carry arms for self-defence among others.