FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study examined the impact of child abuse on the academic success of secondary school students in Ekosodin Community, Edo State, Nigeria. Child abuse remains a pervasive social problem that affects children’s physical, emotional, psychological, and educational development. The study focused on various forms of abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect, and investigated how these experiences influence students’ academic performance. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from students in selected secondary schools within the community. Findings revealed that child abuse significantly contributes to poor academic outcomes among students. Specifically, educational and social neglect were found to be strong predictors of low academic performance, with educational neglect exerting the most pronounced effect. Students who experienced abuse and neglect demonstrated difficulties in concentration, classroom participation, and academic achievement, often accompanied by psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems. The study concludes that child abuse poses a major obstacle to educational attainment and overall child development. It recommends increased parental awareness, effective enforcement of child protection laws, strengthened school counseling services, and collaborative efforts among families, schools, and government agencies to prevent child abuse and promote students’ academic success.

This study empirically analyzes the impacts of public debt on manufacturing capacity in Nigeria. The broad objective of this study is to empirically analyze the impacts of public debt on manufacturing capacity in Nigeria. The Ordinary Least Squares method was adopted to analyze the relationship between public debt and manufacturing capacity, private sector loan, Gross Domestic Product, consumption expenditure and interest rate. Secondary data which spans from 1981 to 2024, sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin for real sector, public sector and World Development Index, was extracted and utilized for empirical analysis. Some forms of pre-estimation tests were carried out in order to obtain satisfactory results. Such tests are the unit root test: test for stationarity, the co-integration test which tests for long run equilibrium relation between the variables of interest of this study. This study seeks to discover the effect of public debt on manufacturing capacity in Nigeria. Therefore, in conclusion public debt positively impacts on manufacturing capacity in Nigeria and it is significant, private sector loan has a significant positive impact on manufacturing capacity, Gross Domestic Product has a significant positive impact on the manufacturing capacity however both consumption expenditure and interest rate have negative impact on manufacturing capacity. Haven discovered from this study the significant positive impact of public on manufacturing capacity in Nigeria, it is therefore recommended that: The federal government should ensure that enough capital is available for the manufacturing sector given the importance of the manufacturing sector to the Nigerian economy. The monetary authority should ensure that the level of interest rate (cost of capital) does not discourage domestic manufacturing industries that need capital from both the money market and the capital market for investment purpose.

This study investigates the effect of gender discrimination on women’s careers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria. Gender inequality remains a pervasive challenge globally and locally, manifesting in unequal pay, limited promotion opportunities, stereotyping, nd undervaluation of women’s contributions in the workforce. Despite women’s significant roles in both formal and informal economies, socio-cultural norms and institutional practices continue to restrict their career advancement and economic empowerment. The research adopted a survey design, targeting 400 women in Egor LGA, with 385 valid responses analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal that while some respondents demonstrated awareness of gender discrimination, a considerable proportion lacked knowledge of their rights or protective workplace policies. More than half of the participants reported experiencing discriminatory practices, including unequal pay, denial of promotions, and gender-based stereotyping. Additionally, 59.3% of respondents indicated that gender discrimination directly hindered their career advancement, while 56.3% felt their growth was slower than male counterparts due to bias. Discrimination was also found to negatively affect job satisfaction, motivation, and access to training and professional development. Although laws and policies exist to address gender discrimination, the study uncovered limited awareness and skepticism regarding their effectiveness and enforcement in Egor LGA. Many participants felt that local authorities had not adequately promoted awareness of these policies, and workplace enforcement was inconsistent. The study concludes that gender discrimination is a multifaceted barrier to women’s professional growth in Egor LGA, with profound socio-economic implications. It recommends increased public sensitization on gender rights, stronger enforcement of anti- discrimination laws, organizational equity audits, and gender sensitivity training. Furthermore, mentorship and empowerment initiatives are suggested to strengthen women’s representation in leadership roles and foster inclusive work environments. By highlighting the realities of workplace gender bias in a local Nigerian context, this research contributes to bridging gaps in policy and practice while offering insights that can promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable community development.

This study examined the impact of e-governance on service delivery in the Nigerian public sector: A case study of Edo State Civil Service. The study adopted the survey design using questionnaire as instrument of data collection. The data was analyzed using simple percentage tables. The results revealed that ICT adoption has positively influenced public service delivery in Edo State by promoting greater transparency, enhancing accountability, and reducing opportunities for corruption. The findings also reveal a range of systemic and human-related challenges that hinder the full realization of e-governance benefits. These challenges corroborate previous studies and highlight that while technology provides a strong foundation for reform, its effectiveness depends largely on the institutional environment in which it is deployed. There must also be adequate investment in infrastructure, human capacity, cybersecurity, and change management to support a successful digital transformation. The study recommended that the government of Edo State should prioritize increased funding for e-governance initiatives. Adequate financial investment is necessary to procure modern ICT tools, upgrade existing digital infrastructure, and maintain systems for efficient public service delivery. Reliable internet connectivity is fundamental to the success of e-governance platforms. The government should collaborate with internet service providers to extend high-speed, stable internet access to all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), including those in rural areas. Training and re-training of civil servants should be institutionalized. Tailored workshops, certifications, and continuous professional development programs are essential to equip public officials with the technical skills required for operating and managing e-governance systems effectively

Family violence ensues in various forms of which domestic violence is one among other forms of abuse and aggression that produce crises in the family. Drawing from crisis theorists, Lindeman families have various kinds of crises such as abuse and violent behavior (DV), infidelity, economic distress, illness and disability, death and grief. Here, we will discuss family violence with domestic violence undertone. When abuse and violent behavior happens within the family circle, it is termed as family violence or domestic violence. It ranges from couple, intimate partner abuse (DV) to child (physical assault, neglect, emotional abuse), and elderly abuse. Abuse is any harm done to a person which can be physical, psychological, or sexual in nature.

The rapid growth of social media use among young people has raised concerns about its potential impact on mental health. This study examined the effects of social media usage on the mental health of undergraduate students at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the frequency and patterns of social media use, the relationship between social media engagement and mental health outcomes, students’ awareness of the psychological risks associated with excessive use, and strategies for promoting healthier digital engagement. The study was guided by Social Comparison Theory, which explains how individuals evaluate themselves through comparisons with others, particularly in digital environments. A survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from 490 undergraduate students drawn from different faculties of the University of Benin using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze patterns of social media usage and mental health experiences, while inferential statistical techniques including Pearson Product–Moment Correlation, independent-samples t-test, and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that social media usage is highly prevalent among undergraduate students, with platforms such as WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and X being the most frequently used. Many students reported spending several hours daily on these platforms, often during evening and late-night hours. The results further indicated that frequent and prolonged social media use is significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms among students. The study also found that greater awareness of the psychological risks associated with excessive social media use is linked to better mental health outcomes. The study concludes that while social media provides important opportunities for communication and social interaction, excessive engagement may expose students to psychological challenges. It therefore recommends the promotion of digital mental health literacy programs, strengthened counseling services, and institutional strategies that encourage
balanced and responsible social media use among students

This research assesses the impact of information and communication technology on organizational performance in Federal Inland revenue services, Edo State. The study explored four objectives to drive the research. The objectives include: examination of how availability of ICT affect infrastructure affect organizational performance in Federal Inland Revenue Service, Benin City; examine how ICT capacity of staff affect organizational performance in Federal Inland Revenue Service, Benin City; investigate how corporate taxpayer’s utilization of ICT affect organisational performance in Federal Inland Revenue Service, Benin City; and ascertain the challenges facing FIRS in relation to ICT adoption for effective organizational performance. The study was anchored on Technology Acceptance Model as a framework of analysis for the study and adopted quantitative research analysis where data generated from primary and secondary sources via questionnaires and interview were analyzed in interpreted using Statistical Package for social Sciences (SPSS), and findings discussed. The study revealed the following findinds: ICT has the capability for digital processing and utilization of information by the use of electronic computers; the study reveals that the staff were staff decided they were comfortable with deploying ICT in the dispensing of their duties they were however undecided if the availability of ICT infrastructure would boost the organizational performance at FIRS and it can be linked with the fact that staff also were undecided as to the regularity of trainings schedule organized. The study concludes amongst others that, there exist a relationship between technology and organizational performance in FIRS. The study also concludes that the ICT capability of staff also has an existing relationship with organizational performance. It also concludes that the ICT has reduced bottlenecks for taxpayers and improved the utilization of FIRS services by corporate taxpayers and recommends amongnst others that, ICT should be made more readily available for staffs to employ in deploying their duties. Fundings for ICT should be given priority by management at FIRS. ICT capacity building and trainings should be regularly organized in FIRS, Benin City

Local governments in Nigeria are to provide services aimed at improving the welfare of
people living within their jurisdictions. In this research work, the researcher intended to
have a general discussion with local government as my background. But lack of space
may not allow me for detailed discussion and analysis. However, all essential parts of the role of local government administration in economic and social development of rural areas in Nigeria are discussed. In chapter one, I discussed the background of the
problem of study, the scope, some research questions and research hypothesis, significant and some definition of terms. Chapter two contains review of related literature, local government, social and economic development process, characteristics of rural area and the history of local government. Furthermore, chapter three contains research design, area of study, population and sample size, instrument for data collection, validation of instrument, reliability of instrument, method of data collection and method of data analysis. Chapter four contains presentation and analysis of data, testing of hypothesis and summary of result. Finally, chapter five contains discussion of result findings, conclusion, and implication of the research findings, recommendation, limitation and suggestion for further research.

The study investigated the challenges of implementing e-government initiatives at the local government level in Edo State: A case study of Oredo Local Government Area. The core objective was to identify the major infrastructural, human capital, institutional, and financial barriers hindering the effective adoption and sustainability of digital governance at the grassroots. The research adopted a Descriptive Survey Design and sampled a total of ninety (90) respondents, comprising both local government staff and residents who interact with the council's services. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The study revealed a significant implementation gap, driven primarily by three key factors: weak infrastructural support (unstable power supply and poor internet access), low human capacity (lack of regular staff training and digital literacy), and inadequate institutional commitment (insufficient budgetary allocation for ICT and weak political will). These factors result in the continued dominance of manual processes, which limit service efficiency and citizen engagement. It was concluded that the successful transition to e-government in Oredo Local Government Area is critically dependent on addressing these foundational structural and behavioral deficiencies. The study recommended, among others, that: the Local Government should prioritize significant and consistent budgetary allocation for ICT infrastructure and maintenance; regular and mandatory ICT training should be organized for all staff; and political leadership must demonstrate sustained commitment to digital initiatives to ensure their success and sustainability.

This study examines the impact of urbanization on economic growth in Nigeria over the period 1981 to 2024 using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling approach. Gross domestic product (GDP) was used as the dependent variable, while urbanization (URB), population (POP), foreign direct investment (FDI), and inflation (INF) served as explanatory variables. The study employed unit root tests to determine the stationarity of the variables, followed by ARDL bounds testing to investigate the existence of a long-run co-integration relationship among the variables.

Short-run ARDL estimates showed that past values of GDP, urbanization, population, and FDI significantly affect current economic growth, while inflation has a marginally negative impact. Long-run estimates revealed that urbanization and FDI positively influence GDP, whereas population growth and inflation negatively affect economic performance. The error correction term was negative and statistically significant, demonstrating the model’s ability to correct deviations from long-run equilibrium.

Diagnostic tests confirmed the robustness of the model, with no evidence of heteroskedasticity or serial correlation, and the R-squared and F-statistic values indicated strong explanatory power. Based on these findings, the study concludes that
urbanization and stable FDI inflows are critical drivers of economic growth, while population growth and inflation require careful management. Policy recommendations include planned urban development, promotion of sustainable foreign investment, population management, and macroeconomic stability to ensure that urbanization contributes positively to Nigeria’s economic development.