FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Teenage pregnancy remains a critical social issue that significantly affects the educational development of the girl child, particularly in urban areas such as Benin City, Nigeria. This study examines the causes, prevalence, and consequences of teenage pregnancy and its impact on girls’ access to and participation in education. The research identifies key contributing factors such as inadequate sex education, poverty, peer pressure, and poor parental guidance. The study further highlights the major educational challenges faced by pregnant teenagers, including school dropout, poor academic performance, interrupted learning, and social stigma. These challenges often result in limited opportunities for higher education and future employment, thereby perpetuating cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Using a descriptive research approach, data were gathered from secondary sources including journals, reports, and relevant literature. The findings reveal that teenage pregnancy has a significantly negative effect on the educational attainment of the girl child in Benin City

This study examines the Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Mental Health In Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence and forms of domestic violence experienced by women in Benin City to examine the mental health status of women who have experienced domestic violence, to explore the relationship between domestic violence and mental health disorders among women, to identify the socio-cultural and institutional barriers prevent women from seeking help. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design also known as survey design. The sample size of two hundred (200) women within aged 18 to 60 years who have been or are currently in an intimate partner relationship whether formal (married), informal (cohabiting), or dating will be randomly selected from Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas, Benin City, Edo State. The findings of this study revealed that most of the respondents are victims of domestic violence, domestic violence is a serious issue in most community in Benin City, societal attitudes towards domestic violence contribute to its prevalence, there are organisations and agencies that support victims of domestic violence in Benin City. This study concluded that the complex nature of domestic violence and its profound psychological consequences, which are worsened by cultural, social, and economic factors prevalent in the region. The recommendation of this study is to establish and enhance support centers that provide comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, including counseling, legal aid, and medical assistance, and these centers should be easily accessible and equipped with trained professionals who understand the nuances of domestic violence and mental health.

This study examined the impact of poverty on the academic achievement of primary school pupils in Ekiosa Community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. Specifically, it investigated the relationship between family income, availability of learning materials, nutritional status, parental education, and pupils’ academic performance, as well as potential interventions that social workers and schools could implement to mitigate the effects of poverty. The study adopted a case study design involving five primary schools, with a sample of 286 respondents comprising pupils, teachers, parents, and school administrators. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, observation, and academic records. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that low family income, inadequate learning materials, poor nutrition, and limited parental education significantly hindered pupils’ academic achievement. The study further identified key interventions, including school feeding programs, provision of learning materials, guidance and counselling, and community social work support, as effective strategies to enhance educational outcomes. The study concluded that poverty is a major barrier to academic success, and social workers and schools play a crucial role in mitigating its adverse effects. Recommendations were made for targeted school and community interventions to improve learning opportunities for disadvantaged pupils.

After acquiring a building for an office the next important task before the office manager is office space planning or office environment. Offices that are not well planned and arranged do affect the effectiveness and efficiency of office work while office environment may be defined as the arrangement of equipment and furniture within the available flow space the environment should have positive effects on administrative performance of the office. This project surveyed how office environment affects office administrative performance. It was discovered that the way office environment is can have either positive or negative effects on office performances. The method used in the project was the popular questionnaire which enabled the researchers to carry out their findings from the respondents. It was discovered that office environment really affect administrative performance and also discovered that the offices in the department of Public Administration are not well equipped.

his study is on the Role of Social Workers in Addressing Domestic Violence in Benin City, Edo State. The study population consisted of undergraduate students, and the sample was drawn using the Stratified Random Sampling method. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, chosen for it's efficiency in reaching a larger number of respondents within a shorter timeframe. Content validity was employed to ensure the instruments validity, with experts and professionals in the field contributing to the process. A Test-retest Reliability approach was applied to assess the instruments reliability. The primary method of data collection was the questionnaire, which was personally distributed to respondent's, with the researcher providing guidance on the completion process. The analysis of the collected data involved using basic percentages and presenting them in tables displaying frequency distribution. Social workers provide immediate support during crisis, offering a calm presence and guidance on accessing emergency services as they facilitate access to shelters and safe house, allowing victims to escape abusive environments and find temporary refuge.

This project examined “job satisfaction and work attitude among board of internal revenue staff, Benin City, Edo State. The objectives of the study are to know what makes job satisfaction a motivation tools for employee performance. identify the various tools and methods used to measure work attitude among employees in the public service. examine the factors that contribute to employee satisfaction and their potential to drive productivity improvement in the public services examine the conditions and workplace factors that lead to employee dissatisfaction with the goal of identifying areas for productivity enhancement in the public services. The survey research method was used which consist of frequency, percentage means and a crosstabulation method was also used to test the structured hypotheses in the study. A total number of 210 questionnaire were distributed to the respondents in public sector in Edo State. The statistical analysiss was used with the goal of performing the empirical analysis and obtaining estimated coefficients. SPSS was used as statistical package in the is study. From the findings it was revealed that job satisfaction is a motivational tools for employee performance. The study reviewed that what make job satisfaction a motivating factors is that employee expect a reword after completion of their job. But when such employee is under paid or when an employee is not comfortable with a certain working environment the employee it may affect the mind set of such employee in working toward organizational goals The employees who are satisfied are a valuable asset to their organizations as they achieve better and strive hard to achieve their organizational goals efficiently, whereas employees who not satisfied are reflected as a load for any organization. was Based on the findings this study, the following recommendations were made Organization should ensure that employees are satisfied with the condition of their job as this increases organizational productivity. Management of any organization should ensure there is a good relationship between supervisor and other employees as this relationship could pave way for employee to jointly work toward organizational goals Management should always create a good working environment as this will enhance employees performance in the organization

The study focused on the characterizing, classifying and identify the soil-forming processes in a waterlogged soil in Ovia north East Local Government Area, Edo State for the purpose of providing an understanding of the ecosystem and land-use sustainability. A soil profile of up to 180 cm was dug in the Area, and six soil samples were drawn from the each of the horizons in the profile for laboratory analysis. The morphological properties of these soils: colour, soil structure, soil consistence, drainage, boundaries and root inclusions were recorded in the field. The soil samples collected were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The treatments were non- eplicated and the data was analysed using different weathering indices. The results showed that the soil in the study area has a moderate, medium, sub-angular blocky structure in the topsoil, with colours ranging from dark reddish brown to red. The bulk density of the soil was found to be within acceptable limits. The water holding capacity (WHC) was highest in the subsurface horizon and lowest in the surface horizons, with the highest values found at the Bt2 horizon and the lowest at the AB horizon. The pH of the soil was slightly acid to neutral and did not show a clear pattern throughout the profile. available phosphorus was very low and not sufficient for crop production. The levels of micronutrients in the soil, including manganese, copper, zinc, and iron, were higher than necessary for crop plant growth, and crops sensitive to these micronutrients should not be planted. The soil contained high levels of heterogeneous bacteria and fungi, with microbial activity being particularly high at the topsoil. However, microbial activity decreased with soil depth. There is evidence of transformation, translocation of clay, eluviation, illuviation, and leaching. The soils were classified according to the USDA Soil Taxonomy as Typic Kandiudults. These findings provide important information for understanding the suitability of the soil for crop production and identifying potential management strategies. To improve the productivity of the soil in the study area, the study recommends putting in place a well-functioning drainage system and water management facilities, engaging in good organic matter management practices, including the use of farmyard manure, and periodically applying lime to the soil.

This study investigated the influence of grinding fineness on heavy metal leaching across seven common food matrices—melon, tomatoes, pepper, white and yellow corn, beans, groundnut, and crayfish—using both household and industrial tools. Samples were processed at two fineness levels (coarse and smooth), and analyzed for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Results showed that smooth grinding consistently produced higher Fe and Zn concentrations than coarse grinding, indicating that finer particle exposure and increased friction enhance metal transfer from processing tools. Iron levels were highest in beans (10.97 mg/kg), followed by crayfish (6.47 mg/kg) and white corn (4.64 mg/kg), while zinc peaked in crayfish (1.15 mg/kg) and groundnut (0.82 mg/kg). Manganese levels were moderate, with the highest concentrations in pepper (0.71 mg/kg) and melon (0.58 mg/kg). Nickel appeared only in isolated smooth-ground samples, while cadmium and lead were largely undetected, except for trace levels in melon (0.015 mg/kg) and tomatoes (0.00008 mg/kg). Blenders, hand crank grinders, and aged milling machines contributed most to metal leaching, whereas traditional tools such as mortars and grinding stones showed comparatively lower contamination. Although detected metal levels generally fell within international food safety limits, cumulative exposure may pose long-term health risks. The study concludes that grinding fineness, tool type, and equipment age are key factors influencing heavy metal migration during food processing, and recommends routine equipment maintenance, use of food-grade materials, and increased public awareness to minimize contamination and ensure safer household and industrial food processing practices.

his study investigates the effects of gender dynamics and sexual harassment on students at the University of Benin, with a specific focus on the impact these issues have on academic performance. Gender-related challenges, including sexual harassment, continue to affect university students, influencing their overall educational experiences. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 100 students to explore the relationship between gender dynamics, sexual harassment, and academic outcomes. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation, with students who experience sexual harassment or encounter gender Based discrimination showing lower academic performance compared to their peers. The study identifies stress, fear of retaliation, and lack of institutional support as major contributors to the detrimental effects of these issues. Based on the findings, the research recommends the establishment of robust counseling services, awareness programs, and stronger institutional policies to address gender-based violence and harassment. This research highlights the need for comprehensive interventions to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

This study examined social perception of stigmatization and alienation of single
motherhood in Ogbadigbo Community. This study is a survey design which was used to administer questionnaire to gather data from targeted respondents. The data was analysed using simple percentages and frequency tables. The study showed that there is high level of stigmatization and alienation on single mothers in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. The study also showed that there are different coping strategies utilized by single mothers in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. The study recommended that communities where single mothers should be made to accommodate single mothers since many of them just find themselves in the condition in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State. Single mothers should try to find comfortable level of personality as to help them out of low self-esteem in Ogbadigbo Community area of Benue State.