FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This study examined the effects of elections on national security in Nigeria, with particular reference to the general elections in Edo State. It focused on four key objectives: examining the impact of electoral credibility, evaluating the role of voter education, assessing the effects of electoral violence, and determining the implications of electoral malpractices on national security. The research adopted a survey research design, which enabled collection of data through quantitative and qualitative means. The quantitative data were gathered through the use of Likert style questionnaire while the qualitative data were gathered through interviews with Key Informant Interview (KII) regarding their perceptions of electoral processes and its effects on national security. The study was guided by system theory and human security theory, which explain how the interaction between political institutions, citizens, and governance structures affects societal stability and individual safety. This study's population is made up of the men and women of voting age in Edo State which is 453,592 while the sample size for this study was 400 using the Taro Yamane formula. Three hundred and fifty six (356) respondents responded to the copies of questionnaire administered while twelve (12) interviewees responded to the interview guide. The findings revealed that electoral credibility is very significant in maintaining national security. The study also found that voter education contributes to national security by improving citizens’ understanding of the electoral process and discouraging manipulation and participation in political violence. The study recommends that strengthening credible electoral processes, enhancing voter education, and addressing electoral violence and malpractice are essential for promoting national security and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

Traditional medicine has played a key role in world health in spite of great advances observed in orthodox medicine in recent decades, traditional medicine still makes an important contribution to health care delivery system. These societies thus developed indigenous medical systems through interactions with their environment to ensure the health needs of the people were met. The World Health Organization estimated that 80% of the developing countries depend on traditional medicine to meet their healthcare needs. Due to the increased use of herbal medicine, there is an urgent need for the appropriate systems of quality control in the practice as well as in the production and use of the medicines. The main objective of this study is to find out the perception and utilization of traditional medicine among residents of Benin city in Edo-State. The specific objectives of this study were: to ascertain the factors influencing the utilization of traditional medicine as perceived by Benin city residents; Ascertain how Benin city residents perceived the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional medicine in Benin city; to find out
the challenges hindering the utilization of traditional medicine; and to measure the extent of utilization of traditional medicine among residents of Benin city. With the one-time cross-sectional study designed as a subsumed survey research design both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 400 respondents 5 interviewees respectively; they were analyzed using frequency and percentages tables, chat and the Spearman’s rho correlation statistical tools. A significant proportion of the population still patronizes traditional medicine due to its ability to explain the hidden cause of illness and consequently cure the illness. There is a significant relationship (p-value=0.00 <0.05) between affordability, cheapness and traditional medicine has stood the test of time and lower level of education, income status and certain age group of traditional medicine. The Functionalist theory and the Health Belief Model were used as a theoretical guide to examine the people’s perceptions towards the utilization of traditional medicine, the study further recommend that Effective and safe use of traditional medicine should be promoted to recognize traditional practitioners, as well as to train them to produce refined herbal medicines. Hence Traditional Medicine Practitioners should be properly trained to keep them updated with contemporary trends in the world of health and epidemiology.

his study focused on assessing the impact of training and development on employee performance, using the University of Benin as a case study. The objectives were to examine the roles of training and development in achieving organizational goals related to worker efficiency, effectiveness, social and psychological well-being, and the potential for changing attitudes towards work. The choice of the University of Benin was based on its extensive training and development opportunities, particularly for academic staff. The research employed both primary and secondary data collection methods. The study concluded that training and career development yield numerous benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced morale, improved profitability, optimized resource utilization, and reduced accidents. Scientific analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between training and productivity, indicating that employees acquire job skills effectively and contribute to organizational objectives. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between staff training and factors such as job satisfaction, promotion, or career advancement. Nevertheless, training serves as a motivating force, fostering positive attitudes towards the organization, better job adjustment, commitment, and potential for career growth. Based on the findings, it is recommended that effective training programs should be meticulously planned and structured, preferably under the guidance of trained experts. Organizations, including the University of Benin, should consider relevant information when developing tailored training programs that meet their specific needs. Establishing a well-defined training policy aligned with modern organizational requirements is crucial, with diligent implementation. Employee training should be based on accurate assessment systems and methods to identify training needs. The majority of respondents emphasized the importance of ongoing, job-relevant training. It is essential to ensure fairness and meritocracy in selecting trainees, providing equal access to training opportunities for all workers rather than a privileged few. To motivate employees, the management of the University of Benin and other organizations should complement training initiatives with additional benefits, such as promotions, higher salaries, and increased responsibilities, aimed at maximizing staff output. Lastly, allocating sufficient funds to support the training officer's duties, including staff training, is recommended for the University of Benin.

This research aims to examine the influence of the capital market on the economic growth in Nigeria. The establishment of the Capital market aims to attain specified objectives, including the mobilisation of financial resources on a national level and the acquisition of necessary foreign capital to accelerate economic growth. This study employs a time- series research design, utilising secondary data obtained from ww.worldbank.org [1990-2020]. The analysis is conducted using an auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The findings indicate that the capital market does not exert a favourable and statistically significant influence on the economic growth of the country. Additionally, it unveiled the constrained role of the market in fostering the growth of the industrial sector.

This study examined the consequences of increased staple food costs on the daily feeding patterns of residents in Benin City. It analyzed the magnitude of food price rises, how inhabitants have modified their feeding patterns in response, and the larger socio-economic consequences of these changes. A cross-sectional survey study design was utilized, utilizing
standardized questionnaires to gather data from individuals across different income levels. Findings predict a large rise in the cost of staple goods such as rice, beans, yam, and garri, with price hikes exceeding 70% for some items between 2023 and 2024. This escalation has led to major changes in daily dining behaviors, including a drop in meal frequency, increased dependence on cheaper food alternatives, and a shift towards less nutritional diets. Socioeconomic characteristics such as income level, household size, and occupation were found to strongly influence how residents cope with these price increases. The study also found crucial coping techniques, including engaging in new income-generating activities, substituting pricey necessities with cheaper alternatives, lowering portion sizes, and relying on financial aid from family, friends, and religious organizations. The report advises specific initiatives to alleviate the impact of rising food prices, including government policies to stabilize food costs, investment in local food production, and the introduction of food assistance programs for needy communities. Additionally, lowering transportation costs and guaranteeing food affordability depend on enhanced infrastructure and security measures. To improve citizens' food security, community-based initiatives like food banks and urban farming are also promoted.

This study explores the relationship between leadership style and worker efficiency in Nigeria, focusing on Governor Obaseki's reforms in the Edo State civil service. Using a descriptive survey research design, data, were collected from 100 civil servants across four ministries through a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that Governor Obaseki's leadership approach was generally viewed positively, with a mean score of 23.63 (SD = 5.64), indicating a. moderately favourable perception of his reforms. However, statistical analysis ft = 2.604, p = 0.197) showed no significant difference in worker productivity between those who worked under Obaseki's administration and those who served under previous leaderships. This suggests that while leadership style does influence worker attitudes, other structural and institutional factors—such as policy continuity, bureaucratic processes, and institutional memory—play a more defining role in shaping efficiency in the civil service.
The study highlights the importance of leadership in fostering a productive work environment but also underscores the need for broader systemic reforms to sustain long-term improvements. While effective leadership can motivate employees and enhance service delivery, achieving lasting efficiency requires a stable institutional framework, clear policies, and adequate resources. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening structural reforms, ensuring policy continuity, investing in leadership development, and improving employee motivation through better support and incentives. These measures can help create a more resilient and efficient civil service, capable of delivering sustainable public sector improvements.

This study examines Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) within the Nigerian federal system, focusing on the interactions among the federal, state, and local governments as a determinant of effective governance. It is premised on the understanding that the health and stability of a federal state depend largely on the quality of relationships among its component units. The study explores how increasing societal complexity and governance demands have encouraged greater integration of governmental functions, resource sharing, and joint policy implementation across levels of government.
Anchored on the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, particularly sections 2(2) and 3(1), which define Nigeria as a federation comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the study highlights the evolving nature of federalism in Nigeria. It observes a gradual shift from strict constitutional autonomy of federating units toward a more centralized and bureaucratic administrative structure driven by national planning and coordination needs.
The study concludes that while enhanced intergovernmental collaboration promotes efficiency and national cohesion, it also raises concerns about the dominance of the central government and the erosion of classical federal principles. It recommends a balanced approach that strengthens cooperation while preserving the autonomy of federating units to ensure effective and sustainable governance in Nigeria.

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 were moderate, with the highest levels 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 age are key factors influencing heavy metal migration during food processing. Routine equipment maintenance, use of food-grade materials, and greater public awareness are recommended to minimize contamination and ensure safer household and industrial food processing practices.

Remittance inflows and foreign direct investment (FDI) are widely acknowledged as vital external financing sources for developing countries, providing resources that can foster capital formation, employment, and economic transformation. In Nigeria, however, the extent to which these financial inflows contribute to sustained economic growth has been debated, with mixed evidence emerging across different periods and studies. Against this background, the study aimed to assess the short-and long-run effects of remittance inflows and FDI on real gross domestic product in Nigeria from 1981 to 2022.
The research was anchored on growth theories that emphasized the role of capital inflows in augmented domestic savings and investment, particularly the neoclassical growth model. Using time series data spanning 42 years, the study employed correlation analysis, Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root tests, Johansen cointegration test, and the Error Correction model to investigate the stationarity properties of the variables, their long run relationships, and the dynamics of adjustment between the short run and long run.
The findings revealed that FDI exerted a positive significant impact on economic growth in the short but an adverse and insignificant effect in the long run in Nigeria. Conversely, remittances had an insignificant effect in the short run but it contributed positively and significantly to long run growth. Base on these outcomes, the study recommended that policy reforms should prioritize quality over quantity of FDI, strengthen domestic value chains, improve the business environment and channel remittances through innovative mechanisms such as diaspora bonds and matched savings programs to promote sustainable economic growth.

This study examined the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in research work
among final-year students in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Benin. The research was motivated by the growing integration of AI into higher education globally and the limited context-specific evidence from Nigerian universities. The study adopted both explanatory and exploratory research designs. A sample of 120 respondents was drawn from a population of 568 final-year students across six departments using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a semi- structured questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic information, prevalence of AI usage, reasons for reliance, and perceived impacts on critical thinking and originality. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were employed in analyzing the data. The findings revealed that a majority of students had adopted AI tools such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot for their academic activities. Most respondents reported daily or weekly usage, with motivations including saving time, improving grammar, generating ideas, and simplifying complex concepts. While many students perceived AI tools as supportive of critical thinking, concerns were expressed about reduced originality, overreliance, and potential threats to academic independence. Thematic analysis further highlighted common applications in literature review, assignments, and clarification of difficult concepts. The study concluded that AI tools are now an integral part of academic practices among final-year students, providing efficiency and support but also raising important ethical and pedagogical concerns. It recommends that students use AI as a supplementary aid rather than a substitute for independent reasoning, that lecturers 13 provide guidance on responsible usage, and that the University of Benin introduce formal policies to regulate AI adoption. Policymakers are also encouraged to develop national frameworks to promote innovation while safeguarding academic integrity