FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

This cross-sectional study examined students' perceptions of contraceptive usage in Ekosodincommunity, University of Benin, Nigeria, involving 130 male and female undergraduates selected via simple random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires andanalyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). Findings revealed high contraceptive awareness (90%), with condoms (80%) and pills (60%) most recognized, but low knowledge of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs (30%) and implants(20%), due to reliance on informal sources (friends/peers and media, 30%each) and limited formal education (40% attended sessions). Positive perceptions of effectiveness were strong(80% agreed contraceptives prevent pregnancy), yet 30% associated use with sexual irresponsibility, influenced by cultural/moral beliefs. Half (50%) reported contraceptiveuse, primarily condoms (40%) and pills (20%). Key barriers included fear of side effects (50%), highcost (40%), stigma/embarrassment (50%), lack of confidentiality (50%), and religious/cultural beliefs (30%). Grounded in symbolic interactionism, the study highlights how social meanings shape behaviors. Recommendations include mandatory reproductive health education, youthfriendly confidential services, subsidized contraceptives, peer-led campaigns, and genderinclusive programs to address myths, improve access, and promote informed usage, therebyreducing unintended pregnancies and STIs

The research objective was to investigate how variations in Bank credit to private sector are attributed to monetary and fiscal macroeconomic policies between 1990 and 2023 to inform policy interventions. Quantitative approach was adopted with data sourced from the CBN statistical bulletins. The research employed the use of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model to empirically analyze both short and long run dynamics. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller Unit root test was conducted to determine the stationarity of variables in the study. It was established that the data was a mix of I(0) and I(1) variables indicating that some variables were stationary at levels I(0) while others were stationary after first differencing I(1). Findings revealed that a mixed short run effect exist between both policy instrument and bank credit to
private sector. The study revealed that initially, a percentage increase in both policies significantly increase bank credit to private sector but over time, this expansion causes negative changes in credit availability and cost. In the long run, it was observed that these macroeconomic policies exert significant positive change on bank credit. While these policies have positive effect on credit, their interaction negatively and significantly affect credit growth implying that these policies are complementary. The negative significant effect proves that on the average, an increase in government expenditure worsens the negative impact of interest rate which crowds out private sector investment through credit crunch. While these policies positive and significant
affect bank credit to the private sector as standalone policies, their interaction posits the joint effect and therefore, it is recommended that an accommodating policy environment is a sine qua non for enhancing financial deepening through private sector credit in the Nigeria economy. Therefore, an expansionary fiscal environment while prioritizing productive investments should be accompanied by a moderate monetary environmen

This study was carried out on the findings on voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections. The study was carried out to determine the level of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, identify the causes of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, and ascertain the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were
employed in this study. The population size comprised of residents of Emohua Local Government Area. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 147 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, and mean scores. While the hypotheses was tested chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the level of voters apathy in Nigeria is high. Furthermore, the study revealed that the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria includes: political apathy mitigates the idea democracy, poor turnout of voters, poor leadership structure, increases corruption, conflicts, bad government. Therefore, it is recommended that there is urgent need for political education in Nigeria especially the people in the riverine and rural areas. Political education should not be limited to the school system. Both formal and informal approaches should be adopted to orientate the citizens on the need for active participation in the political system. There is the need for mass political enlightenment through the media, adult education programme and civil associations. The citizens should be conscious of the danger of their political apathy. To mention but a few.

Crime remains a universal socio-political reality shaped by societal norms, moral values, and legal frameworks. Scholarly perspectives commonly emphasize crime as human conduct deemed harmful to the public and subject to state sanctions. Historically, criminality in Nigeria evolved from individual and group offences in pre-colonial societies to complex contemporary crimes driven by political, economic, and social dynamics. In recent decades, kidnapping has emerged as one of the most pervasive criminal activities, escalating nationwide despite technological advances and state interventions. Edo State, particularly Edo North Senatorial District, has witnessed a disturbing rise in kidnapping, resulting in insecurity, economic losses, and increased psychological distress. Despite government measures, including demolition of criminal hideouts and intensified policing, the menace persists. This study investigates the drivers of kidnapping, the effectiveness of existing counter-measures, and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, with a view to informing evidence-based policy responses. Current literature were reviewed. Routine Activity Theory (RAT) and Social Disorganization Theory (SDT). This study adopts a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to investigate the surge in kidnapping in Edo North Senatorial District. A sample of 513 law enforcement and vigilante personnel was selected through multistage sampling. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires and interview schedules, with analysis involving descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis to examine causes, challenges, and potential solutions. Findings show that poverty, unemployment, and economic deprivation significantly contribute to youth involvement in kidnapping, while weak governance, corruption, and inadequate law enforcement capacity further enable criminal activities. Public perceptions of government strategies indicate mixed effectiveness, with respondents emphasizing the need for intelligence- driven policing, i proved operational capacity, and stronger community engagement. Structural constraints (including limited resources, inadequate logistics, and low personnel motivation) undermine the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. Despite the presence of community-based initiatives such as vigilante groups and neighbourhood watch systems, their impact is constrained by poor coordination and communication gaps. The study concludes that reducing kidnapping requires an integrated, multi-sectoral approach combining robust policing, technological enhancement, strengthened institutional accountability, community collaboration, and socio- economic empowerment. Key recommendations include equipping security agencies, fostering community–police dialogue, expanding youth empowerment programs, enforcing anti-corruption measures, and improving police infrastructure for timely response and sustainable security

This project work is to evaluate the effect of single parenting on the psycho-social development of the adolescent in Benin city, Edo state. Five well structured research questions were formulated, and twenty five questions were administered to the respondents to collect response from them. The population of the study which includes three various schools in Egor local Government area, Benin city, Edo state. To Conduct the study, a total of 120 respondents were drawn as correspondent. The respondents were chosen using the simple random sampling techniques. From the analysis, it was found that the level of education of parents, their socio-economic status, their relationship with their children, the structure of the home a child grows in, have either negative or positive influence on the children’s life and academic performance. The outcome of our analysis showed that all factors investigated have impact on the life and education success of the students in general. Some of the recommendations are: parents should provide adequate school materials for their children to study with and should pay their school fees in time.

This study examines impact of domestic violence against women in Egor local government area, Benin City, Edo state in conducting the study, a sample size of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were randomly selected from the population. The survey design was adopted for this study. To collect the needed data and information, a questionnaire was designed in line with the research questions. The method of data collection included the questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary records which essentially included documents relating to the impact of unemployment on youth restiveness. Data were analyzed by means of tables, frequency distribution and percentages. From the findings, it was revealed that inequality (superiority of male sex over females) is a cause of domestic violence. Also, it was revealed that domestic violence against women reduces the participation of women in the society. It was revealed that stereotyping (preference and dominance of the male sex over the female sex) which is present in some culture is a reason which exposes women to domestic violence while 62% of the respondents did not provide an answer to this question. Also, it was revealed that violence has a socio-economic impact on the women in Egor. From the findings, it was concludes that domestic violence is prevalent in various nations at an alarming rate. Women are the sufferers and are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse in their home by partners, in-laws and in some circumstances by their brothers and parents. The study therefore made the following recommendations that There is a need of recognition at the national level of the issue and consistent follow -up should be made mandatory. There should be enough educational programs in all societies and cultures, both for women and men at the same levels. There should be enough opportunities of employments and participation in political parties along with security and safety for women and the seat allocation for recruitments of both genders should be considered on equality grounds. More funds should be allocated to women's development in the country. Government should to make sure that women have enough access to reach any political opportunity and there should be a training programme available for their capacity building on politics. There is also a need of reforms in the police departments and judicial processes which place constraints on women from accessing justice. Women police should be trained to deal with women facing domestic violence so that women could feel safe and protected.

This study examined influence of drug abuse on students’ academic performance in Benin City, (A Case Study of UNIBEN Students). Four (4) research questions were raised to guide the study. The sample for the study consists of one hundred (100) respondents selected from the area under investigation. The participants were selected
using the simple random sampling technique while the data was collected with the aid of questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the instrument were ascertained using the test-retest procedures. Simple percentages and revealed that drug abuse influences students’ academic performance negatively and also, that most students consume Indian hemp frequently coupled with the fact that the prevalence of cocaine consumption among students is also high. The study recommended that School authority should enforce strict rules on drug abuse by requiring all social events during orientation of first years to be drug free, disseminate responsible host guidelines for both on- and off-campus parties, install a responsible beverage service program, eliminate residence hall delivery of alcohol purchases, advertise food and activities, such as dancing or sports, rather than drinking as the focus of the event.

The study investigates the effect of deconstructing federalism and how federal is the federal republic of Nigeria. The population for the study comprised of all academic and non-academic staff of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. From the population, 135 respondents were sampled using random sampling technique. The samples were further stratified on the basis of gender, educational status, years in service, age distribution. Data were collected using a researcher designed questionaire titled deconstructing federalism and how federal is the federal republic of Nigeria (DFHFFRN). Data collected were analyzed using percentages and frequency count. Based on the findings, it was observed that Federation determines the distribution of nature, manner and resources, True federalism remains theoretical and practical exclusive, the three (3) tiers of government in Nigeria do not enjoy fair play. Based on these findings, it was recommended that there should be design and
working out of development plans at the federal, states and local levels of governance to guide the authorities in planning and execution of development programmes. It was also recommended that Corruption, ethnicity, religious bigotry and all other particularistic feelings and tendencies should be properly checked through functional laws and stiff penaltiesto minimize ethno-religious and sectional identities among Nigerians.

Performance is considered an important factor determining the health of an organization. It is said to have greatly affected many different sectors of the economy and had both positive and negative impacts on the entire country. In light of this, this study examines a diagnostic analysis of the problem areas affecting the companies' profitability and productivity performance in Nigeria.A case study of Access Bank, Zenith bank,UBA, Axa insurance, NEM insurance and AIICO insurance over a five years period (2018-2022). The quick productivity appraisal approach (QPA) is adopted in this study which uses company performance appraisal (CPA) to analyse company productivity and profitability performance. The study adopt secondary data which is extracted from the annual report of each of these companies from the Nigeria Exchange group with emphasis on return on assets (ROA), which is taken as a proxy for profitability and productivity performance. The deterioration or improvement of return on assets is attributed to two major components, which include the ratio of net profit to net sales and the return on assets turnover. The variables considered are cost of goods to sales ratio, operating expenses to sales ratio, total assets turnover, fixed assets turnover will be examined. Trend analysis is used in this study to examine the profitability and productivity measurement of companies. The findings therefore are analysed in three different levels namely; the company level, the i dustry level and the sectoral level. At the company level the result showed that Access bank plc, Zenith bank plc, Axa insurance plc and AIICO insurance plc exhibited low performance with regard to productivity and profitability. Nem insurance plc experience slight increase in productivity and profitability performance while UBA plc experience increasing productivity and profitability performance. At the industry level, it was found that banks and insurance companies suffer a decline in profitability and productivity performance. Finally, at the sectoral level, the financial sector recorded a decline in productivity and profitability. Therefore the priority areas to look into for improvement are production, marketing and administrative department. Therefore, companies, industries and the sector should improve productivity in relation to capital and labour by replace and repairing old machineries and equipments in the production department, reduce the number of managerial staffs, increase salaries and wages of employees and then strengthen market strategies by promoting companies sales and increasing advertisement.

Performance is considered an important factor determining the health of an organization. It is said to have greatly affected many different sectors of the economy and had both positive and negative impacts on the entire country. In light of this, this study examines a diagnostic analysis of the problem areas affecting the companies' profitability and productivity performance in Nigeria. A case study of Access Bank, Zenith bank,
UBA, Axa insurance, NEM insurance and AIICO insurance over a five years period (2018-2022). The quick productivity appraisal approach (QPA) is adopted in this study which uses company performance appraisal (CPA) to analyse company productivity and profitability performance. The study adopt secondary data which is extracted from the annual report of each of these companies from the Nigeria Exchange group with emphasis on return on assets (ROA), which is taken as a proxy for profitability and productivity performance. The deterioration or improvement of return on assets is attributed to two major components, which include the ratio of net profit to net sales and the return on assets turnover. The variables considered are cost of goods to sales ratio, operating expenses to sales ratio, total assets turnover, fixed assets turnover will be examined. Trend analysis is used in this study to examine the profitability and productivity measurement of companies. The findings therefore are analysed in three different levels namely; the company level, the i dustry level and the sectoral level. At the company level the result showed that Access bank plc, Zenith bank plc, Axa insurance plc and AIICO insurance plc exhibited low performance with regard to productivity and profitability. Nem insurance plc experience slight increase in productivity and profitability performance while UBA plc experience increasing productivity and profitability performance. At the industry level, it was found that banks and insurance companies suffer a decline in profitability and productivity performance. Finally, at the sectoral level, the financial sector recorded a decline in productivity and profitability. Therefore the priority areas to look into for improvement are production, marketing and administrative department. Therefore, companies, industries and the sector should improve productivity in relation to capital and labour by replace and repairing old machineries and equipments in the production department, reduce the number of managerial staffs, increase salaries and wages of employees and then strengthen market strategies by promoting companies sales and increasing advertisement.