FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study examines the effects of early marriage on the girl child. To find out peoples perceptive on early marriage, to examine the factors that promote early child marriage, to access the psychological health and emotional consequences of early marriage on young girls, to explore strategies for reducing the prevalence of early marriage. The study adopted the survey design on the bases of which data was sourced; simple percentage instrument was employed to analyze the data collected. The findings reveal that early marriage negatively affects the physical, emotional and psychological health of the affected girls in general. Childbirth complications, domestic abuse and exploitation are some of the consequences of early marriage. The study recommends that legal intervention as well as sensitization should be taken into consideration. Laws should be enforced and public awareness should be encouraged. Basic education should be made compulsory and economic empowering programs should be established and implemented. Families who force/ coerce their children into early marriage should face the consequences as stipulated in the law.

This study investigates critically the impact of urbanization on the standard of living in Port Harcourt. The aim of this study is to ascertain the impact of urbanization on the standard of living in Port Harcourt. To achieve this aim, a field work was conducted in Port Harcourt to ascertain if urbanization has impacted on the standard of living of respondents. A total of 380 questionnaires were distributed in the study area and out of these 368 were returned valid. Data generated from the field were fed into SPSS. Spearman non-parametric correlation analytical technique was used to test the hypothesis. The results from the analysis of data gotten from the field showed that urbanization has a weak and low relationship with standard of living. However, the relationship was not significant. Although urbanization has affected the standard of living in Port Harcourt, the standard of living is a little bit above average. It was also found that urbanization has impacted largely on the environmental condition in the study area. It was recommended therefore that although the standard of living is above average, the health care system, quality and network of roads, water supply, electricity supply, and drainage system can still be worked on and improved upon to create a better and more conducive urban centre. Also good environmental policies should be endorsed by the government to tackle the negative effects of urbanization on the environment

Youth unemployment remains a major social and economic challenge in many urban areas, with significant implications for crime and social stability. This study examined the relationship between youth unemployment and the prevalence of crime in Oredo Local Government Area. The research focused on how limited access to employment opportunities among young people contributes to increasing criminal activities in urban communities.

The study adopted a quantitative research approach, with data collected through the use of structured questionnaires administered to respondents within the study area. The research was guided by Strain Theory, which explains how individuals may resort to criminal behavior when legitimate means of achieving societal goals are limited. Data obtained from respondents were analyzed to determine the relationship between unemployment and crime among youths in the area.

The findings revealed a significant correlation between high youth unemployment rates and increased involvement in criminal activities such as theft, robbery, and drug abuse. The study also identified other contributing factors, including limited access to education, inadequate vocational skills, and poor economic opportunities, which further aggravate the problem of youth crime.

The study concludes that youth unemployment plays a significant role in the rise of urban crime in Oredo Local Government Area. It recommends the development of sustainable employment opportunities, expansion of vocational and skills acquisition programs, and the strengthening of community support systems as strategies to reduce unemployment and mitigate its associated impact on crime.

This study examined the impact of cultural factors on the practice of social work in Ekosodin Community. The study adopted a survey research design to explore how cultural beliefs, traditions, and social norms influence social work practice within the community. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected using purposive (judgmental) sampling techniques, consisting of individuals who were involved in or exposed to cultural factors affecting social work practice in the area.

Data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire as the research instrument. The instrument was validated using face validity, while its reliability was determined through the test–retest reliability method. The questionnaires were administered personally by the researcher with the assistance of a research assistant, who guided respondents in completing the instrument. The study employed a mixed method approach consisting of a perception survey and a self-substance use survey. The perception survey generated data from members of the community who are affected by cultural influences on social work practices, while the self-substance use survey involved social workers and clients directly impacted by these cultural factors.

The data collected were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings revealed that cultural beliefs and practices significantly influence the effectiveness of social work practice in the community. The study highlighted the importance of social workers having a deep understanding of the cultural dynamics present among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. The research therefore recommends the inclusion of comprehensive cultural competence training in social work education programs to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of social work practice in the community.

Domestic violence remains a major social problem affecting women across the world. Studies have shown that globally, domestic violence accounts for a significant proportion of recorded crimes, with women being the most frequent victims. Women experience different forms of violence such as rape, physical battering, trafficking, and even murder. Although the level and nature of domestic violence vary from one society to another, its effects are often severe and far-reaching, leading to psychological, physical, emotional, and social disorders among victims.

In Nigeria, domestic violence cuts across different social, cultural, and economic groups, making it a persistent issue in society. Despite the efforts of international organizations such as the United Nations, through instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as constitutional provisions aimed at promoting equality and protecting human rights, many Nigerian women continue to experience violence within their homes. Victims often face difficulties in obtaining justice due to social stigma, legal barriers, and inadequate institutional support.

This paper therefore examines the reported incidence of domestic violence against women, its various effects on victims, and the challenges associated with seeking justice. It further provides recommendations that may help reduce the occurrence of domestic violence and promote the protection of women’s rights in society.

This research examines how health expenditure influences maternal mortality in Nigeria
by utilizing annual data from 2000 to 2022. Despite various reforms and investments in
the health sector, maternal mortality continues to be a significant public health issue in
Nigeria. The study explores the effects of key indicators such as Government Health
Expenditure (expressed as a percentage of GDP), Out-of-Pocket Expenditure, Literacy
Rate (serving as a proxy for female educational attainment), Workforce Migration Index
(indicating health worker migration), and Fertility Rate on the Maternal Mortality Ratio
(MMR). The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling approach is used, given
its appropriateness for analyzing variables that are integrated at different orders, I(0)
and I(1). The findings reveal both short-term and long-term relationships between the components of health expenditure and maternal mortality. In particular, government health spending exhibits a negative correlation with maternal mortality, indicating that increases in public investment can lead to reductions in MMR over time. Conversely, high out-of-pocket expenses and increasing fertility rates are linked to higher maternal mortality, highlighting deficiencies in financial risk protection and reproductive health services. The study concludes that to achieve substantial decreases in maternal mortality in Nigeria, sustained increases in government health funding, a reduction in household healthcare costs, and enhancements in female education are crucial. Recommended policies include bolstering the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), addressing the migration of health workers, and broadening maternal health initiatives aimed at atrisk populations

This study investigated the influence of domestic violence on students’ academic
performance among undergraduates of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. The
research was motivated by growing concerns over how various forms of domestic
violence physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and economic affect students’ concentration, motivation, and overall academic success. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using a structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected undergraduate students across different faculties and academic levels. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. Findings revealed that domestic violence is prevalent among university students, with emotional and physical abuse being the most common forms experienced. The results further indicated that exposure to domestic violence significantly impairs students’ academic performance by reducing concentration, increasing absenteeism, and leading to emotional distress, poor grades, and loss of motivation. It was also observed that female students and those from low-income or traditional family backgrounds are more vulnerable to domestic violence compared to their counterparts. The study found that demographic factors such as gender, socio-economic status, and cultural norms influence both the occurrence and reporting of violence. Furthermore, the study highlighted the critical role of social workers in addressing
domestic violence through counseling, advocacy, awareness creation, and policy
intervention. It concluded that domestic violence not only threatens students’ emotional
and psychological well-being but also undermines academic performance and social
development. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the University of Benin and other
higher institutions should establish functional counseling and social work units, conduct
regular awareness and sensitization programs, enforce anti-violence policies, and provide
economic empowerment opportunities for vulnerable students. The study contributes to
the growing body of knowledge by emphasizing that domestic violence is not only a
social problem but also an educational challenge that requires a multidisciplinary
response involving educators, policymakers, and social work professionals.

This study examined the Challenges of Child Welfare and Protection Services in Uromi Town, Esan North East Local Government Area, Edo State. The main objective was to investigate the barriers hindering effective child welfare and protection in Uromi and to identify strategies for improving the well-being of children. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from a sample of 100 respondents, including caregivers, teachers, community leaders, and social workers, selected through stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that harmful cultural practices, poverty, and weak law enforcement were the major challenges affecting child welfare in Uromi. Although awareness of child protection laws was relatively high, knowledge and utilization of available welfare services remained limited. Additionally, most cases of child abuse and neglect were underreported due to fear, stigma, and lack of trust in existing structures. Encouragingly, the study found strong community willingness to participate in child protection initiatives if supported by government and NGOs. The study concludes that child welfare challenges in Uromi are rooted in cultural, economic, and institutional factors. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and practical implementation at the grassroots level. It is therefore recommended that government and NGOs: (i) engage community and religious leaders in awareness campaigns to discourage harmful practices, (ii) implement poverty alleviation and empowerment programs to reduce economic pressures on families, (iii) decentralize child welfare services through community-based social workers and confidential reporting systems, and (iv) establish participatory community child protection committees to harness local willingness and strengthen enforcement of child protection laws

This study investigated the impact of international trade on macroeconomic performance in Nigeria from 1990 to 2023. The research was motivated by the persistent challenges of overdependence on crude oil exports, trade imbalances, and inconsistent policy outcomes that have impeded Nigeria’s economic growth. Anchored on the Heckscher-Ohlin Theory of Factor Endowment and Adam Smith’s Absolute Advantage Theory, the study examined the dynamic relationship between exports, imports, foreign direct investment (FDI), and inflation as they influence Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design, utilizing secondary data sourced from the World Bank Development Outlook (2024) and the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2023). The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach was employed to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships among the variables. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test revealed a mixture of I(0) and I(1) variables, confirming the suitability of the ARDL model. The findings showed evidence of long-run cointegration among international trade indicators and Nigeria’s economic growth. The long-run estimates indicated that exports had a positive and statistically significant effect on GDP growth, while imports exerted a negative and significant impact on GDP growth. Foreign direct investment (FDI) was found to be positive but statistically insignificant. Inflation was negative and statistically significant, suggesting that persistent price instability undermines macroeconomic performance. The study concludes that international trade significantly affects Nigeria’s macroeconomic performance. It recommends diversification of the export base beyond oil, improved local manufacturing capacity, better investment policies to attract productive FDI, and effective inflation management to sustain economic growth and stability

This study analyzes the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market performance in Nigeria from 1985 to 2022, emphasizing the connections between stock market performance (SMP) as measurred by All-Share index, Gross domestic product (GDP), inflation (INFL), and exchange rate (EXR). Control variables used in this study are total government expenditure (TGE) and interest rate (INTR). The study applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methodology to explore both the short-term and long-term dynamics among these variables. The ARDL Bounds co-integration test validates a long-term relationship among the variables, supporting the use of ARDL analyses. The findings indicate that GDP has a significant positive impact on SMP in both the short term and long term, suggesting that economic growth enhances investor confidence and market performance. In contrast, inflation and exchange rate was found to be negative but insignificant. The study concludes GDP significantly affects stock market performance and that implementing effective economic policies to promote GDP growth, is vital for cultivating a strong stock market environment in Nigeria. These findings enhance the understanding of the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock market performance, offering important insights for both policymakers and investors.