FACULTY OF SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS ENHANCEMENT,

Agricultural intensification remains a critical strategy for enhancing food production among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, when pursued without adequate environmental safeguards, it can generate adverse ecological consequences. This study assessed smallholder farmers’ perception of the environmental impacts of agricultural intensification in Benin City, Nigeria, with particular emphasis on soil erosion and water quality changes. The study was anchored on the Environmental Degradation Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, with insights from Political Ecology to explain how livelihood pressures shape farmers’ environmental perceptions and practices. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Primary data were obtained from 60 smallholder farmers and six key informants across Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, and Oredo Local Government Areas using structured questionnaires, interviews, and field observations. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent samples t-tests, Fisher’s Exact test, while qualitative information supported interpretation of results. Findings indicate that farmers practice a hybrid form of agricultural intensification. Intercropping (65 percent) and biannual cultivation (46.7 percent) were widely adopted, alongside intensive use of herbicides (70 percent) and pesticides (56.7 percent). Nearly half of the respondents reported that their farms were located within 100 metres of streams or rivers, which they perceived as increasing the risk of agrochemical runoff and water contamination. A substantial proportion of farmers reported visible soil erosion on their farms, particularly under continuous cultivation on sandy-loam soils. Perceived changes in water quality were commonly associated with proximity to water bodies and poor agrochemical handling practices, including unsafe storage near streams. Despite these observations, farmer awareness of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices was limited, as only 31.7 percent of respondents reported having received formal agricultural training. The study concludes that smallholder farmers in Benin City possess experiential knowledge of the environmental consequences of agricultural intensification, but livelihood pressures, land constraints, and weak institutional support influence their continued reliance on environmentally risky practices. It recommends strengthening extension services, promoting conservation agriculture, enforcing buffer-zone regulations around water bodies, and improving access to training on sustainable land and water management. By providing localized empirical evidence on farmers’ perceptions, this study contributes to the broader discourse on balancing food security and environmental sustainability in peri-urban farming systems in Nigeria and similar developing-country contexts.

Environmental pollution from fish processing activities is a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in urban areas such as Benin City, where the rapid growth of artisanal fish processing contributes to environmental degradation. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of stakeholder participation in managing environmental pollution resulting from fish processing activities in Benin City, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Data were collected from 80 respondents, including fish processors, market association leaders, community leaders, waste disposal service providers, and local government officers within the study area. A structured questionnaire served as the main instrument for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The findings were presented in tables and figures for clarity and proper interpretation. Findings revealed that fish processing sites generate multiple waste types, including fish scales (82%), waste water (91%), packaging waste (74%), oil/fat residues (76%), and ash (69%), most of which are disposed of through open dumping, burning, or drainage channels. Key stakeholders identified include waste service providers, NGOs, community leaders, market associations, and environmental officers. However, stakeholder participation was found to be only moderately effective, limited by inadequate coordination, poor enforcement, and insufficient waste infrastructure. The study concludes that sustainable waste management in fish processing requires strong institutional collaboration, participatory governance, improved policy enforcement, and enhanced environmental education to promote cleaner and safer fish processing practices in Benin City.

The rising issue of domestic wastewater pollution, mainly from heavy metals and organic pollutants, poses significant risks to public health and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. Traditional treatment methods are often costly and energy-intensive, emphasising the need for affordable, eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigated the use of Picralima nitida stem bark residue as a sustainable biosorbent for removing iron (Fe3⁺), zinc (Zn²⁺), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total dissolved solids (TDS) from domestic wastewater. The research focused on evaluating the adsorption efficiency, identifying optimal conditions, modelling the underlying mechanisms, and comparing the cost-effectiveness to commercial activated carbon. The study conducted an experimental investigation using batch adsorption tests in controlled laboratory conditions. P. nitida bark residue was washed, oven-dried, ground, and chemically activated before analysis. The adsorbent was characterised through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface analysis. Parameters such as dosage, contact time, temperature, and pH were systematicallys varied to evaluate performance. Additionally, Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherm models were employed to interpret the equilibrium data. A cost analysis was also performed to assess the economic viability of the adsorbent. The results indicated that adsorption efficiency increased with longer contact time and stabilised after 90 minutes. The highest removal rates were 100% for Fe3⁺, 99.60% for Zn²⁺, 98.90% for COD, and 89.97% for TDS at near-neutral pH and ambient temperature. The equilibrium data conformed to the Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.9940), indicating monolayer adsorption. Economically, the treatment cost was ₦19.50 per litre, which is roughly 30–40% lower than that of commercial activated carbon. The study concludes that Picralima nitida stem bark residue is an effective, cost-efficient, and sustainable biosorbent for domestic wastewater treatment, supporting Nigeria’s initiatives in sustainable waste utilisation and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

This study investigated the effect of e-procurement adoption practices on inventory control efficiency within manufacturing SMEs in South-South Nigeria. Specifically, the research focused on the impact of six key dimensions of e-procurement adoption: top management support, information quality, system implementation effectiveness, process efficiency, user adoption and satisfaction, and compliance and transparency. The study employed a descriptive survey research design, utilising primary data collected through structured questionnaires administered to 193 respondents from manufacturing SMEs. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis via SPSS. The findings revealed that top management support, system implementation effectiveness, process efficiency, and user adoption and satisfaction had a significant positive impact on inventory control efficiency of the selected manufacturing SMEs in South-South Nigeria. However, information quality and compliance and transparency did not exhibit a significant impact on inventory control efficiency. The study recommends that manufacturing SMEs invest in leadership training, effective system implementation, process optimisation, and user engagement initiatives, while addressing gaps in information quality and compliance through targeted improvements and capacity building to fully realise the benefits of e-procurement adoption.

This study examines the influence of sustainable procurement practices on organisational performance at the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The study emphases on three key components which are circular economy practices, waste management and pollution prevention; labour rights compliance and ethical sourcing practices; and supply chain resilience, risk management, innovation and supplier development. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were obtained from 300 respondents using structured questionnaires and interviews, complemented by secondary data from organisational reports and regulatory documents. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-tests and multiple regression. Findings show that circular economy practices, waste management and pollution prevention significantly enhance operational efficiency and cost reduction. Labour rights compliance and ethical sourcing also contribute to improved stakeholder trust, fairness and transparency. Furthermore, supply chain resilience, risk management, innovation and supplier development demonstrated the strongest positive effect on organisational performance, particularly in service delivery, productivity and supplier growth. The study recommends that BEDC strengthen its circular economy initiatives, institutionalise ethical sourcing policies, enhance supplier monitoring mechanisms and invest in supply chain resilience and innovation to improve overall performance.

This study examined the effect of electronic procurement on the organizational performance of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objective was to assess how the various dimensions of e-procurement namely e-planning, e tendering, e-evaluation, e-award, and e-publishing influence organisational performance within the hospital. A quantitative research design was adopted, using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 102 respondents comprising procurement officers, administrative staff, and management personnel. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as multiple regression technique with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The regression analysis showed that e-planning, e-evaluation, and e-publishing have significant positive effects on organisational performance. Conversely, e-tendering and e-award were found to be statistically insignificant. The study concluded that the adoption of electronic procurement improves operational efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public health institutions. However, inefficiencies in the e-tendering and e-award processes must be addressed through system enhancement, user training, and better policy integration. The study recommended continuous capacity-building programmes, regular system audits, and the reinforcement of transparency mechanisms to strengthen e-procurement effectiveness. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on public sector digital transformation in Nigeria and underscores the role of electronic procurement in promoting institutional efficiency and sustainable public service delivery.

This study examined the influence of community engagement on public project effectiveness in three selected Local Government Areas in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the direct effects of three core dimensions of community engagement: information transparency, participatory decision-making, and community empowerment/monitoring, on public project effectiveness. The study further tested the mediating role of perceived government accountability in the engagement-effectiveness relationship, the moderating role of community capacity, and whether the engagement- effectiveness relationship varied across LGAs and project types. Employing a cross- sectional survey design, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires from 333 respondents comprising residents/users, community leaders, project committee members, business owners, and other stakeholders involved in public projects. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, Baron and Kenny mediation steps with Sobel test, moderated regression, and subgroup analysis. The results revealed that neither overall community engagement nor its individual dimensions (information transparency, participatory decision-making, and community empowerment/monitoring) had a statistically significant positive effect on public project effectiveness (p > 0.05). Perceived government accountability did not mediate the relationship between community engagement and project effectiveness, while community capacity did not moderate the relationship. Subgroup analyses by LGA and project type similarly showed no significant heterogeneity in the engagement-effectiveness link. These findings indicate that, in the context of Benin City, current community engagement practices are largely superficial and have not translated into measurable improvements in project outcomes. The non-significant relationships may reflect inadequate depth of participation, weak institutional accountability mechanisms, and limited community capacity to influence project processes. The study therefore recommended a deliberate shift from tokenistic to genuine, power-sharing engagement models; institutionalisation of transparent and responsive accountability mechanisms; sustained capacity-building programmes for community structures; and the adoption of clear, measurable indicators for monitoring both engagement processes and project effectiveness. Implementing these recommendations will help unlock the potential of community engagement as a driver of successful and sustainable public projects in Edo State and similar contexts.

Managing contracts and procurement effectively relies on clear processes, skilled staff, andcontinuous oversight to ensure efficiency, accountability, and value delivery. Whentheseelements are weak, projects suffer delays, costs escalate, and disputes arise. Even withreformsintroduced globally and across Africa, poor contract execution, bureaucracy, and corruptionstill
hamper procurement and erode public trust. This research explores contract and procurement
practices in Egor Local Government Area, aiming to identify obstacles and suggest waystoimprove them. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study focused onsmall
construction firms in Egor LGA, Edo State. Thirty participants were carefully chosen fromthreefirms, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The information was analysedthematically, highlighting challenges and solutions while maintaining credibility andethical
standards. Findings showed that Nigerian firms generally follow procurement rules designedtoensure fairness and accountability, yet projects often face delays due to corruption, governancegaps, and limited technological adoption. The research also revealed that Egor firms strugglewith implementing fair contracts, largely because of weak oversight and corrupt practices, withimprovements possible through staff involvement, external benchmarking, and independent
monitoring. Strengthening transparency, accountability, and governance through digital tools, compliance measures, and collaboration among stakeholders emerged as critical, althoughweakenforcement remains a barrier. Finally, reforms need to combine digital solutions withrobust
governance, accountability, and strategies tailored to local contexts. Overall, procurement inEgor Local Government companies is hindered by bureaucracy, corruption, and governanceweaknesses. Enhancing efficiency and transparency requires better governance, stakeholderengagement, and digital tools. Recommended actions include stronger enforcement, adoptionofdigital systems, staff training, and increased collaboration among stakeholders toboost
transparency, accountability, and operational effectiveness

The study evaluates the economic impact of procurement practice on academic performance of University of Benin and Igbinedion University in Edo state. Specifically, the survey assessed the effect of procurement planning, supply evaluation, contract management, procurement staff competency, and inventory management on academic performance. The sample size of 120 respondents- 60 respondents from each university, were purposively chosen from the population comprising all staff members directly engaged in procurement activities at the University of Benin and Igbinedion University. The data employed the primary method of data collection with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was carried out on the data and the analyse was conducted using linear regression technique. The findings from the analysis demonstrates that procurement planning has a positive and statistically significant effect on university performance, supplier evaluation shows a negative and significant relationship with university performance, contract management displays a negative and significant coefficient while staff competency has a significant positive effect on university performance, and lastly inventory management though positive, was statistically insignificant. The findings indicate that while procurement practices are critical to institutional effectiveness, their impact is inconsistent and often undermined by systemic weaknesses. It is recommended that Universities should adopt participatory planning frameworks that involve end-users, align procurement needs with budget realities, and minimize bureaucratic delays, and Regular training, professional certification, and regulatory awareness programs should be instituted to improve the competence of procurement staff.

This study examined the role of effective leadership in achieving organizational objectives at the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The objectives were to: (i) examine the 5 relationship between effective leadership practices and the achievement of organizational goals in educational institutions, (ii) identify the leadership styles most commonly employed by educational leaders and evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing institutional performance, (iii) investigate the key challenges faced by educational leaders in aligning faculty and staff efforts with organizational goals, and (iv) propose strategies for improving leadership effectiveness to support goal attainment within educational institutions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A total of 405 staff members drawn from various faculties of the University of Benin constituted the sample. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that the majority of staff have long years of service and occupy middle management positions, indicating an experienced workforce receptive to innovative leadership. The democratic leadership style was identified as the most effective for enhancing job satisfaction, inclusiveness, and productivity. Respondents emphasized the importance of clear vision-setting, provision of adequate tools, and the moral qualities of leaders in influencing staff performance and organizational success. However, systemic challenges such as poor funding, weak managerial responsibility, inadequate communication, shortage of staff, lack of equipment, and insubordination were found to significantly impede leadership effectiveness. The study concludes that effective leadership—particularly democratic, visionary, and morally grounded leadership—is indispensable for achieving organizational objectives in Nigerian universities. However, leadership effectiveness is strongly dependent on adequate funding, institutional support, and robust communication frameworks. 6 Based on these findings, the study recommends that university administrators institutionalize participatory leadership, strengthen capacity-building programs, promote ethical leadership practices, improve funding and resource allocation, and establish effective communication systems. Suggestions for further studies include comparative analyses of leadership styles across universities, gender dynamics in leadership, the role of technology in higher education leadership, and longitudinal studies on leadership and organizational performance. This research contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence from Nigerian higher education, validating the democratic leadership style as optimal in university settings, and highlighting the moderating role of institutional constraints on leadership effectiveness.