FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Voter participation is vital to democratic stability in Nigeria, yet declining engagement poses a threat to effective governance. This study argues that revitalising democratic institutions, norms, and infrastructure requires greater citizen involvement before, during, and after elections. It investigates five core questions: the factors driving voter apathy, citizens’ attitudes toward voting, their awareness of political developments, the motivations behind disengagement, and the broader impact of apathy on democratic consolidation. Using a survey of fifty respondents analysed with simple percentages, the study finds that trust in the electoral process is central to participation. A transparent and impartial electoral body was widely viewed as key to ensuring free and fair elections. Conversely, fraud and manipulation by political parties were cited as major causes of low turnout during the 2023 General Elections. Respondents also identified inadequate voter education as a driver of electoral malpractice, while rampant vote-buying further erodes public confidence. To address these challenges, the study recommended comprehensive voter education to enhance civic awareness of rights and responsibilities. Informed citizens are more likely to resist corruption and hold leaders accountable. Stricter regulation of political financing is also necessary to curb the influence of money in politics. Ultimately, tackling voter apathy at every stage of the electoral cycle is essential for building credible elections and achieving democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

This study investigates the impact of macroeconomic stabilization policies on inflation in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the combined roles of monetary and fiscal policy measures in
promoting price stability. Nigeria’s inflationary pressures; largely influenced by structural challenges, exchange rate fluctuations, fiscal imbalances, and rapid growth in money supply, have prompted repeated policy responses from both the government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The study adopts a quantitative research design and utilizes annual time-series data obtained from the CBN, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the World Bank. TheAutoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is employed to assess the short-run and long-run Effects of key stabilization policy variables, including money supply, GDP, exchange rate, government expenditure, oil price on inflation. The findings indicate that monetary policy variables, especially money supply and interest rate, exert significant long-run influence on inflation, while fiscal policy indicators show mixed but relevant effects depending on the policy environment. The study concludes that although stabilization policies have contributed to reducing inflationary pressures, their overall effectiveness is still hindered by structural weaknesses and inadequate coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities. It therefore recommends enhanced policy synergy, improvedtransparency in policy execution, and structural reforms aimed at strengthening the capacity of stabilization policies to achieve sustained price stability in Nigeria.

This study examined effective public service in the administration of development plans of the federal government: a case study of Edo State. The main objectives of the study were to ascertain if there is any relationship between effective public service and administration of development plans of federal government in Edo State, examine the roles that has or should be played by the public service for Nigerians to benefit from good government and national development, and determine the challenges faced by the public service in promoting government policies for effective national development. The data collected were presented in a tabular form with focus on the major research questions in other to enable the researcher determine the results. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage. The findings from the study revealed that the structural problem faced by the public service in promoting government policies in Nigeria is personnel regulation; personnel qualification and organizational structure are part of the challenges faced by the public service in promoting national development in Nigeria; the high level of corruption associated with the public service in Nigeria has hampered its role in promoting national development; the Nigerian public service lacks transparency and accountability; and that the ethno-religious hospitalities and the crisis of confidence from the populace compound the problems in the public service. The study further recommends that if the public service is to attain the desired results of development in Nigeria, far reaching reforms are needed, such as, recruitment and promotion of civil servants should be based on merit system as opposed to spoils system. This is because the enthronement of federal character principle of recruitment and other
spoils system have sacrificed efficiency and effectiveness in the Nigerian public service, while rules and regulations are sine qua non for systematic and orderly government, and there is a need for the mental attitudes and believes of the public servants to be reoriented, so that they can cope with the policies of new government.

This study examined the impact of financial liberalization on bank performance in Nigeria for the period of 1981-2019. The main objective of this research work is to examine the impact of financial liberalization on bank performance in Nigeria. The study used Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) to examine the relationship between financial liberalization and bank performance in Nigeria. The study found that the level of financial deepening is positively and significantly related to the real interest rate. Also, money supply is positively and significantly related to the real interest rate. Also, private sector credit was found to be negatively and significantly related to the real interest rate. Finally, loan-deposit ratio is positively related to the real interest rate, it had no significant impact. The study recommends that due consideration should be given to the private sector lending which was one of the variables used to capture financial liberalization in Nigeria. Also, in order to enhance financial deepening (M2/GDP)
contribution to banks profitability in Nigeria, government policy should therefore be geared towards strategically increasing money supply and promoting efficient capital market that will enhance overall economic efficiency, create and expand liquidity, mobilize saving, enhance capital accumulation, transfer resources from traditional
sector to growth inducing sectors (such as manufacturing and industry, agriculture and services sectors) and also promote competent entrepreneurial response in various sectors of the economy. However, it is pertinent to ensure that it (money supply) does not lead to financial excessiveness.

Though political violence seems irrational, Nigeria's return to democracy in1999brought about considerable political changes, particularly in the way multi-party elections were conducted. The purpose of this study is to investigate how Nigeria's democracy has been weakened by the prevalence of political violence. The analysis uses survey data to answer the queries about political violence and democracy. The research offers a more thorough analytical investigation and builds on the theories of group violence and frustration-aggression. The study contends that certain democratic principles such as freedom, equality, accountability, and the rule of law constitute a" universal pattern" in democratic practice, making it crucial to evaluate the Nigerian and Egyptian experience critically. As a result, our findings imply that the political elite's vested interests are fundamentally a factor in the prevalence of political violence.

This study examined Substance Abuse: Its Effects Amongst the Youth in Ekosodin Community, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State. The survey research design was adopted for this study because data were collected from a sample population with specific characteristics. Five research questions were formulated and answered using simple percentage analysis. The population of the study comprised youths residing in Ekosodin Community, and from this population, a total of 100 respondents were selected as the sample using a random sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study was a twenty-five-item self-structured questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that substance abuse has significant negative effects on the physical health, academic performance, social behavior, and psychological well-being of youths in Ekosodin Community. The study revealed that peer pressure, unemployment, family instability, and easy access to drugs are major factors contributing to substance abuse among youths. Furthermore, the findings indicated that substance abuse leads to increased crime rates, school dropouts, health complications, and social disintegration within the community. The implications of the study highlight the need for urgent intervention through public awareness campaigns, youth empowerment programmes, and stronger law enforcement against drug trafficking and abuse. It was also emphasized that schools, parents, and community leaders have a crucial role to play in sensitizing and monitoring the youth. The study recommends that government and non- governmental organizations should intensify efforts in establishing rehabilitation centres, promoting skill acquisition programmes, and creating job opportunities for youths. Additionally, there should be continuous community-based education on the dangers of substance abuse, strict enforcement of drug control laws, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders to curb the menace and promote the overall well-being of the youths in Ekosodin Community

This study examines the negative impact of social media usage on the mental health of students at the University of Benin. The research was driven by the growing integration of social media into students’ daily lives and the potential psychological risks associated with excessive use. It aims to explore how patterns of social media engagement af ect students’ mental well-being, self-esteem, and body image, as well as to identify protective factors that can help mitigate these negative impacts. The study recognizes that while social media serves as a tool forcommunication, learning, and self-expression, it also exposes students to issues such as anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, and social comparison, which can contribute to poor mental healthoutcomes. Existing literature reveals a complex relationship between social media and mental health, showing that prolonged exposure to curated online content can distort perceptions of reality, increase stress, and promote addictive behaviors. The research draws on the Cultivation Theory, which explains how continuous engagement with media shapes individuals’ understanding of the world. In this context, students who spend excessive time on social media are more likely to internalize unrealistic standards and negative social comparisons, af ecting their psychological well-being. The study also highlights how digital habits, such as late-night browsing and excessive screen time, can disrupt sleep patterns and overall mental stability. An explanatory research design was adopted to analyze the relationship between social media usage and students’ mental health. A sample of 150 University of Benin students was selected using Yamane’s formula, and data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies. percentages and bar charts were employed for analysis. The findings suggest that the current usage of social media platforms has accounted for mental
health issues, ranging from the increased time spent on the different social media platforms daily, creating an unsterilized mental health for these students. In conclusion the findings revealed that the sample size has experienced one mental health issue to another from using social media. The findings provided recommendations to check and regulate the negative impacts of social media, time limits, social media detox, engagement in of line activities and actively choosing who to follow.

This study examined the role of social workers in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The research aimed to assess the extent of social workers’ involvement in child protection, evaluate the adequacy of interventions provided to abused and neglected children, explore preventive strategies adopted, and identify challenges hindering effective service delivery. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and utilized structured questionnaires administered to 100 respondents, including social workers, caregivers, parents, and children. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency distributions. Findings revealed that social workers play critical roles in identifying, rescuing, counseling, and advocating for the rights of abused and neglected children. They also engage in preventive efforts through community sensitization, parental education, and collaboration with schools, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies. However, the study found that long-term rehabilitation and reintegration programs are often inadequate due to insufficient funding, shortage of trained personnel, cultural resistance, and weak institutional support. The study concludes that while social workers contribute significantly to child protection in Egor LGA, their effectiveness is constrained by systemic and cultural challenges. It recommends increased government funding, professional training, inter-agency collaboration, and community-based awareness campaigns to strengthen child welfare systems and enhance the preventive capacity of social workers.

This study examined the impact of crime on socio-economic development in Nigeria at Ovia-North East Local Government Area. The researcher is concerned with the growing rate of crime, which is perceived to have affected community development. Survey research methods were employed in this study and adhered to two techniques of data collection, namely, self-administered questionnaires and person-to-person interviews. The limitations of the study were economic and time factors. Hypotheses were tested, confirmed that there is indeed a relationship between high crime levels and unemployment. The study found that the Ovia-North East District is fraught with problems of high unemployment, high crime levels and lack of physical infrastructure. Secondly, it was shown that the levels of crime like robbery and assault cases are the order of the day. Many crimes are committed either during the day or at night. This study made several recommendations relating to what should be done to ensure that local residents, potential developers and investors feel safe at Ovia-North East areas. Among other recommendations put forward are the establishment of community relations with the police, like community policing forums (CPFs) and development community safety centres.

This study examines the impact of unemployment on economic growth in Nigeria. The study adopted The study adopted the expo facto research design to source aggregate data from Central Bank of Nigeria CBN statistical bulletin from 1995 to 2022. The data was analysed using the Johansen co-integration test, serial correlation tests, Ramsey test, Unit Root Test ADF, and the Error Correction Mechanism ECM. The result showed that unemployment has positive impact on economic growth. The study recommended that deliberate and conscious ef ort should be given to the planning process through which the nation's expenditure will be carried out through. Therefore, planning and budgeting should be done on time and handled by professionals. It's also advised that some key sectors like the health sector, education sector and industrial sector. This will help the economy in becoming diversified and boost economic growth and development. Corruption had also been a major hindrance to efficient employment practices like government expenditure. Therefore, any possible means to ameliorate corruption should be taken