FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study examined a comparative analysis of parenting styles and their impact on
academic performance of senior secondary school students in Ovia North-East Local
Government Area of Edo State. The population comprised of all senior secondary school
students in Ovia North-East, while a sample of 300 students was selected using simple
random sampling technique. The research aimed to determine how different parenting
styles namely, authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful, influence students’ academic achievements. The study employed a quantitative descriptive survey design to
examine the impact of different parenting styles on students’ academic performance. A
structured questionnaire was used to gather data from respondents categorized according
to four major parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful. The findings revealed that students raised under authoritative parenting recorded the highest level of academic performance of (60%), followed by students raised under authoritarian parenting (44.7%). In contrast, permissive and neglectful parenting styles
produced fewer students with high academic achievement recording 31.6% and 20%
respectively. Students raised under neglectful or uninvolved parenting styles recoded the
highest percentage of low academic performance (33.3%), which implies that students
with minimal or no parental guidance or support are prone to poor academic performance. The computed Chi-square (χ²) value of 43.2 with 6 degrees of freedom at the 0.05 level of significance indicated a significant relationship between parenting style and students’ academic performance. The study concludes that the authoritative parenting style has the most positive influence on students’ academic achievement and recommends that parents adopt a balanced, supportive, and communicative approach to child-rearing to enhance
their children’s educational outcomes

The study investigated the impact of cyber fraud on the dignity of labour in contemporary Nigerian society: A case study of Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. To achieve the purpose of the study, six (6) research questions were raised and answered. The sample size for this study consisted of one hundred (100) respondents. The data collected was analyzed using frequency count and simple percentage. The study revealed that cyber fraud has a significantly negative influence on students’ career ambitions, motivation for education, and adherence to professional ethics. It was concluded that participation in and admiration for cyber fraud significantly undermine the societal value and respect for honest labour among youths in Oredo Local Government Area. The study recommended among others that law enforcement agencies should be adequately equipped and trained to detect, investigate, and prosecute cyber fraud cases swiftly and fairly, ensuring that the consequences of such crimes serve as a deterrent.

This study evaluated factors responsible for the increase in crime among youths: using Egor as a case study. The main objective of the study is to bring to light the downplayed factors that contribute to the increased crime rate among youths in Egor Local Government area. The specific objectives are to investigate causes of crime, examine the influence of family dynamics on juvenile delinquency, explore how family background and parental upbringing influences youth involvement in criminal activities and identify the roles of social workers in addressing crime among youths in the study area. The study adopted a descriptive research approach and a population of 339,899 with a sample size of 300 using the purposive sampling. The findings aligned with the global research that youths and young adults constitute the group most vulnerable to involvement in deviant behaviours and that socio-economic factors like poverty and unemployment are drivers of youth crime in the study area. The following recommendations were made that the government should strengthen economic empowerment programmes for youths and families are encouraged to develop consistent and positive parenting practices and communities establish neighbourhood watch programmes.

This study explores the development of a social work intervention model aimed at improving food security and nutrition among children in Benin City, Nigeria. Against the backdrop of rising food inflation, urban poverty, and systemic malnutrition, the research investigates the prevalence and causes of food insecurity, emphasizing its impact on child health and development. Using a descriptive survey design, the study identifies key socioeconomic drivers such as household income, maternal education, and access to healthcare. It proposes a structured, evidence-based framework for social workers to transition from reactive aid distribution to proactive, holistic interventions. The model integrates case management, community empowerment, and policy advocacy to address both immediate nutritional needs and long-term resilience. Findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts among social workers, policymakers, and NGOs to combat child malnutrition and promote sustainable food security in urban settings. Keywords: Food Security, Malnutrition, Social Work Intervention, Child Nutrition, Urban Poverty.

This study examined the determinants of cybercrimes among youths in Egor LGA of Edo State. The objectives of the study were to: investigate the relationship between unemployment rates and the incidence of cybercrime among youths in Egor LGA of Edo State, ascertain the effects of peer-influence on youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, examine the role access to technology and the internet play in facilitating cybercrime among unemployed youths in Egor LGA of Edo State, and evaluate the role of penal institution in curbing the menace of youth unemployment and cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, and the targeted population for the study were residents between the age of 15 to 35 in Egor LGA. The study employed a purposive sampling method in purposively targeting youths who are involved in cybercrime from among the total population of youths in Egor L.G.A, and a sample size of five hundred (500) youths within the age bracket of (15-35) were selected from Egor LGA. Hence, data for the study were analysed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive method described the demography of respondents using frequency and percentage, and the hypotheses of the study were tested with chi-square and correlation. The analysis was conducted using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS 30.0) software. However, findings from the study revealed that there is a significant relationship between unemployment and youths’ involvement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, there is association between peer-influence and youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, there is a correlation between technology and the internet on youth engagement in cybercrime in Egor LGA of Edo State, and the penal institution and relevant government institutions have a significant role to play in curbing the menace of cybercrime among youths in Nigeria. The study then recommended that it is important for the government to develop government and private sector initiatives aimed at creating job opportunities for youths. This could include internships, apprenticeships, and skills training in high-demand areas such as technology, agriculture, and craftsmanship; there is need for the government and other relevant authorities to provide resources for young entrepreneurs through grants, low-interest loans, and business development training, as encouraging innovation and self-employment can distract youths from engaging in cybercrime for quick financial gain; at the community level, there is need to launch campaigns to educate communities about the dangers of cybercrime and the importance of ethical behaviour online, as engaging local leaders can help reinforce these messages; it is important to foster partnerships between educational institutions and tech companies to create programs aimed at equipping youths with relevant technical skills, as these partnerships can lead to internships and job placements; and there is need to establish innovation hubs and tech incubators that provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for young tech enthusiasts to develop their ideas in a supportive environment.

The study empirically examined the relative contribution of oil and non-oil subsector to export trade in Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test was employed to test for the order of integration of the series. It was found to be stationary at first and second differ ences. Then the Johansen Co-integration technique was employed to determine if there is long run relationship between the dependent and independent variables of the model. Furthermore, the Vector Error Correction Mechanism technique (VECM) was used to estimate the regression coefficients and to correct for any disequilibrium between the short run and long run dynamics of the model. The short run and long run version of the model were specified. Results showed that, oil sector was correctly signed and was statistically significant. The study therefore recommends, among others, that proper and effectively outlined policy frameworks should be put in place by the government through the relevant agencies to ensure that non-oil sector is effectively managed and channeled towards contributing significantly to export in Nigeria. This will go a long way in ensuring that the contributions of oil to export in Nigeria is significantly reduced

The study analzsed how agricultural output impact economic growth in Nigeria, from 1981 to 2023. The study employs Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL), unit root test, cointegration test and diagnostic tests such as heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation The study found out that there is a positie relationship between real gross domestic product growth rate and crop production, which satisfies our apriori expectation., Similarly, the study shows that there is a positive relationship between real gross domestic product growth rate and fishery, forestry, and livestock’s which satisfies our apriori expectation, finally the study recommended that invest in agricultural infrastructure, ensure agricultural diversification, promote sustainable forestry practices and support fisheries sector development.

his study examined the dynamics of policing and crime control in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. With rising concerns about security and the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, this research investigates the relationship between policing strategies and crime rates in the region. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes qualitative interviews with law enforcement officials, community leaders, and residents, as well as quantitative crime data analysis, the study highlights the challenges faced by the Nigeria Police Force in Uromi. Key findings reveal issues such as inadequate policing resources, corruption, and community distrust, which collectively hinder effective crime control efforts. Moreso, the research explores community involvement in policing, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative approaches to enhance public safety. The study recommends strategic reforms, including improved resource allocation, community policing initiatives, and strengthened partnerships between law enforcement and citizens to foster trust and efficiency in crime prevention and control. However, this research
contributes to the understanding of local policing dynamics in Nigeria and offers insights for policymakers and law enforcement agencies aiming to bolster crime control mechanisms in Uromi and similar communities.

The study assessed the impact of the community based mental health programme on youths development in Ekosodin Community, Benin City. The population of the study comprised four hundred (400) respondents who are youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years who have lived in Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The research method/design used for the study was survey research. The data collected from the respondents were used for data analysis through simple descriptive statistics namely, simple percentage, frequency count and mean rating. The findings of the research concluded that there are many factors that contribute to the incidence of mental health challenges among youths of Ekosodin community such as peer pressure, substance abuse, unemployment, financial problems, family challenges, lack of parental guidance etc. The community based mental health programme has a significant impact on youth development in Ekosodin community, Benin City. There are many limitations to the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin Community such as lack of financing to sustain mental health programming, stigma and discrimination and lack of community awareness which impairs the effectiveness of the community based mental health programme. Social workers play a significant role in the successful implementation and effectiveness of mental health programming by helping to ascertain who needs special programmes, joining forces with other professionals in the implementation of mental health programming, bridging the gap between the community and mental health service providers and increasing effectiveness and sustainability of community based mental health programmes. Based on these findings, it was suggested that the government and other stakeholders increase funding and material resources for the community based mental health programme in Ekosodin. Increased financial resources will support what is currently being done, allow for trained professionals to be hired, and create modern counselling and therapy spaces for the youths

This study examined the relationship between institutional barriers, psychological factors, and career progression among female academic staff at the University of Benin, with limited input from two other Nigerian universities for contextual comparison. Descriptive results showed that many women were clustered in lower academic ranks, had experienced delays in promotion cycles, and were underrepresented in leadership positions. The data also highlighted constraints such as limited mentorship, unclear promotion guidelines, challenges balancing work and family life, and self-limiting behaviours such as hesitating to apply for leadership roles. Qualitative insights strengthened these findings by illustrating how gender norms, workplace culture, and internalised beliefs influence career decisions. The study concludes that gender-based disparities in career progression remain a significant challenge within UNIBEN. While institutional policies exist to support academic promotion, their implementation is inconsistent, and cultural norms continue to disadvantage women. Individual factors such as confidence, motivation, and perceived suitability for leadership further shape career choices. Leadership training for women, the university should sponsor workshops and training programmes aimed at equipping women with administrative skills and confidence. Support for Work–Life Balance, policies such as flexible scheduling andaccessible childcare services can help reduce the domestic burden that disproportionately affects women. This study contributes to existing literature by presenting current evidence on gendered career barriers in UNIBEN and highlighting the combined effect of institutional constraints and self-limiting behaviours