FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

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

Examining Twitter Network Restriction: A Violation of Nigerian Citizens' Fundamental Rights (A Case Study of Twitter Ban) with Edo State as a case study is the study's main objective. The study readily enrolled 90 individuals and used a survey research approach. But from the recruited participants, a total of 85 replies were received and verified. Chi-Square was used as a statistical method to test the hypothesis (SPSS). The study's conclusions showed that the Twitter network ban severely violated Nigerian individuals' fundamental human rights. It also breaches Section 39 of the Constitution by impairing the social
and economic rights that Nigerian people are given by Chapter 11 of the Constitution by breaching their right to freedom of communication, association, and expression. Furthermore, the study's findings showed that the now-repealed Twitter ban was a grave abuse of power since it put the president's personal interests ahead of those of the nation and its citizens and was not implemented democratically. The study consequently suggests that, in the future, the federal
government of Nigeria should endeavour to follow constitutional processes and guidelines in ways of dealing with situations like these. The Nigerian federal government should also acknowledge that the Twitter Network ban has an impact on a variety of economic sectors

This study examines the impact of poverty on economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2024. Despite periods of robust economic expansion, Nigeria continues to experience high and persistent poverty rates, reflecting the country’s enduring growth–poverty paradox. Using annual time-series data obtained from the World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics, and Central Bank of Nigeria, the study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships between poverty and growth, alongside other macroeconomic variables such as
unemployment, inflation, foreign direct investment, and government expenditure. The results reveal that poverty exerts a significant and negative impact on real GDP in both the short and long run, indicating that high poverty levels constrain Nigeria’s productive capacity and weaken economic performance. Granger causality tests further show a unidirectional causal relationship running from poverty to economic growth, implying that poverty significantly predicts variations in output, whereas growth alone does not substantially reduce poverty. The findings highlight that without inclusive policies targeting poverty reduction, economic growth in Nigeria will remain uneven and unsustainable. The study recommends enhanced social investment, employment generation, human capital development, and equitable income distribution as vital strategies to break the poverty–growth trap and promote broad-based economic progress.

The study assessed the distribution of infant mortality in Egor Local Government Area of Benin city. The investigation was based on the use of research survey employing the instrument of questionnaire and observation. The objective was based on the use of research and was directed to identify the causes of infant mortality of the study area, to determine the relationship between infant mortality and the respondent’s attributes (location, social, economic and demographic) in the study area, to show the spatial distribution of households with at least a case of infant mortality, to show the spatial distribution of healthcare facilities and their cases of infant mortality, to suggest solutions and recommendations to the problems associated with the causes of infant mortality. Childhood mortality is one of the important indicators of a country’s general medical and public health conditions and consequently the level of socio economic development. In developed countries, infant mortality rates are generally low, while in developing countries, they tend to be higher. There are many factors that contribute to infant mortality, including poverty, inadequate access to healthcare, malnutrition, and poor sanitation and hygiene. The analysis revealed that they are various variables which may lead to infant mortality
in the study area and socio demographic factors which may lead to infant mortality in the study area. The analysis shows that income and education in particular have a
reasonable or rather a significant effect on infant mortality in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City. Reducing infant mortality rates is a global health priority, and numerous efforts have been made to address the underlying causes of infant mortality in order to improve the health and survival of infants and young children around the world. Its decline is therefore not only desirable but also indicative of an improvement in general living.

The study set out to establish the critical factors influencing criminal activities and documents the most prevalent types of offenses committed by students on university on Benin campus .the findings are intended to offer a clear, evidence-based roadmap
for intervention, targeting the root causes identified. This study utilized a descriptive quantitative design. Data was gathered using a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 200 respondents. This sample was drawn from the 5,040 undergraduate students residing in the four regular halls of residence (hall 1, 2, 3 and 4) selected using random and convenient sampling techniques. Analysis will be conducted using frequency distribution and percentages. This research holds substantial importance for institutional policy. The derived findings will equip the university administration with the
necessary data design proactive, targeted security policies and counseling programs,
ultimately, this work seeks to improve overall students well-being and restore a focus
on academic excellence by mitigating the factors that promote campus crime

This study examines the issue of youth empowerment and crime control in the Ugbowo axis. Crime has been a serious factor hindering youth growth and development. Despite efforts to create empowerment programmes aimed at reducing the crime rate, several challenges still persist. These include insufficient financial resources and infrastructure, cultural and socioeconomic barriers to initiative success, the inability to sustain programmes, and other related factors affecting youths in the Ugbowo axis. The research aims to examine the relationship between youth empowerment and crime control in the Ugbowo axis. The study employed a survey method, using qualitative data collection and analysis techniques. Questionnaires were administered to youths in the Ugbowo axis, particularly in the Ekosodin area. The findings reveal that there is a significant relationship between youth empowerment and crime control, as the lack of youth empowerment initiatives can lead to a rapid increase in crime rates. The study recommends urgent attention to address these challenges. Some of which include providing financial support for youths, building infrastructure to aid training and skill acquisition, offering training to youth workers, volunteers, and youths themselves, and encouraging proper home upbringing. The study’s findings and recommendations
provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to improve the community and promote better livelihoods for youths and the general public

The Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy was introduced by the Nigerian government promote transparency, accountability, and efficient financial management in public institutions, including universities. This study examines the impact of TSA on the
management of finances in the University of Benin, Benin City. It explores the effects of TSA on revenue generation, budgetary implementation, expenditure control, and overall financial efficiency within the university system, Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study collects data from university staff. financial administrators, and relevant stakeholders. Findings indicate that while TSA has improved financial discipline, reduced leakages, and enhanced accountability, it has also posed challenges Such as delays in fund disbursement and reduced financial autonomy. The study concludes that effective
implementation of TSA requires strategic measures to address operational bottlenecks while ensuring sustainable financial management in higher education institutions. Recommendations include enhanced technological integration, Capacity building, and policy adjustments to optimize TSA's benefits in the university System