Master Dissertation

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).

Social isolation among older adults has emerged as a significant public health concern globally. The Study indicates that elevated levels of social isolation correlate with negative health outcomes, including increased death rates and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. In Nigeria, older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to globalization and industrialization and migration of family member that adversely affect their well-being. This study examines the impact of social isolation on the well-being of older adults in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, using phenomenological research design. Twenty one Respondents aged 65 years and above were purposively selected. Data gathered was analysed using thematic and content analyses Findings reveal that social isolation adversely affects multiple dimensions of older adults' lives, including their social interactions, mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life. The study equally reveal that. Older adult in Egor are at risk of social isolation because of some prevailing situations that revolve around their well-being, and such pathetic situations have contributed to their vulnerability. The study recommends establishment of local community centres or social clubs specifically for older persons, where they can engage in regular social, recreational, and educational activities. These programmes can reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance emotional well-being by fostering a sense of belonging and social connection.

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.

The researcher assessed the crisis communication strategies of the University of Benin, Edo State. The objectives of the study were, among others; to know the extent to which University of Benin engage in crisis communication, identify the strategies use by the university to engage in crisis in communication as well as finds out the level of effectiveness of the crisis communication of University of Benin. The study was anchored on the Contingency Theory of Strategic Conflict Management and Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT). The study used the mixed method research design (survey and interview), using the questionnaire and interview guide as data collection instruments. From a population of 77,000 students and 8,000 staff, a sample of size of 749 (382 students and 367 staff) respondents was arrived at using Krejcie & Morgan’s sample size formula while the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University was purposively selected for the key participant interview (KPI). The data collected were analysed using simple percentages (survey data) and Yin’s Explanation Building Model (interview data) to provide answers to the research questions. The findings showed that the University of Benin engages actively in crisis communication, as majority of staff and students agreed that the university communicates during crises. It was also found that the university employs a mix of press releases, social media, emails, and its website for crisis communication. However, the PRO noted that while official channels like email are underused, more immediate platforms like WhatsApp are more effective for reaching stakeholders quickly, while the university’s crisis communication was found to be moderately effective, amongst others. The researcher concluded that crisis communication at the University of Benin is active but not fully effective. Based on the findings and conclusions, the researcher recommended that the University of Benin should adopt a proactive crisis communication approach, ensuring that timely, anticipatory messages are released before misinformation spreads and also integrate student-friendly platforms like Instagram into its official communication channels to increase reach and engagement, amongst others.

This study investigated the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on banking loyalty among customers of United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Benin City, Edo State. The study was motivated by the growing interest in how socially responsible practices affect customer relationships in the Nigerian banking sector. The objectives of the study were to examine the specific CSR initiatives implemented by UBA, assess customer perceptions of these efforts, determine their impact on banking loyalty, and identify key factors that influence the effectiveness of CSR in fostering customer commitment. The study is anchored on the stakeholder and the social exchange theories which state that customers are more likely to remain loyal to organizations that actively contribute to societal welfare and engage transparently with their communities. A sample size of 384 respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique involving purposive and random methods across three Local Government Areas in Benin City: Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed quantitatively. The findings revealed that although UBA has launched several CSR initiatives—such as educational support, healthcare programmes, and environmental sustainability projects—many customers are either unaware of these efforts or perceive them as ineffective, with most respondents expressing neutral or negative attitudes toward the bank’s CSR engagement. The study concluded that UBA carries out CSR activities but its impact on customer loyalty is small. Accordingly, it was recommended that UBA enhance its CSR communication strategies by leveraging digital and face-to-face platforms, actively involve community leaders in programme design and execution, among others

The researcher investigated the role of social media in conflict management during the 2020 EndSARS protest in Benin City, Edo State. The rationale of the study was to establish the role of social media in conflict management during the 2020 EndSARS protest among residents of Benin City, Edo State. The objectives of the study were to determine the role of social media in managing conflicts during the EndSARS protest, find out how social media was used to spread information during the protest, identify the strengths of social media in managing conflicts during the protest and the weaknesses of social media in managing conflict during the EndSARS protest in Benin City, Edo State. The study was grounded in the agenda-setting theory and the social responsibility theory. The research employed a survey research design, using structured questionnaire to collect data from 384 internet users in Benin City, Edo State using the purposive sampling technique from the total population of 5,880,824 while descriptive statistics was used in analysing the gathered data in order to provide answer to the raised research questions. Findings revealed that social media served as a vital communication tool (M = 4.08), mobilising support (M = 4.06) and providing victims with a platform to share their experiences of police brutality (M = 4.15), among others. Findings also showed that social media strengths during the protest were that it facilitated peaceful organisation (M=3.93), amplified protest voices (M=4.06), enabled international solidarity (M=3.97), disseminated timely updates (4.09) and helped manage rumours (M=3.78) while chief among the notable weaknesses are the spread of false information (M=4.03), hate speech and inciting content (M=4.06), unverified media contents (M=4.03). The researcher concluded that social media has become an indispensable tool in modern conflict scenarios and its ability to inform, connect, and mobilise people makes it a powerful instrument for both protest and peace, especially during EndSARS protest in Edo State. Based on the findings and conclusion, recommendations made were that government agencies and civil society organisations should develop and implement digital literacy programmes focused on conflict-sensitive communication to empower citizens to use social media constructively during periods of social unrest, among others.

This study examines the impact of microfinance on women’s economic empowerment in Edo State, Nigeria, using the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) as a case study. The research is motivated by the persistent financial exclusion and structural inequalities faced by women, particularly those operating within the informal sector. It investigates how access to microfinance services, including loans, savings schemes, and training programmes, influences key dimensions of empowerment such as income generation, financial independence, and decision-making capacity. Adopting a descriptive survey research design, the study utilises primary data collected from 180 female beneficiaries of LAPO, with 174 valid responses analysed. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis, were employed to assess the relationship between microfinance services and women’s economic empowerment. The findings reveal that access to microfinance services has a significant and positive effect on women’s economic empowerment. Specifically, savings services and loan access emerged as the strongest predictors, while training and capacity-building programmes also contributed meaningfully to improved outcomes. The results further indicate that participation in microfinance enhances women’s ability to generate income, strengthens their financial autonomy, and increases their involvement in economic decision-making. However, the study also acknowledges that empowerment is multifaceted and influenced by contextual factors such as social norms and household dynamics. The study concludes that microfinance, when effectively designed and implemented, serves as a critical tool for promoting women’s economic empowerment and inclusive development. It recommends that policymakers and microfinance institutions strengthen gender-responsive financial products, expand access to savings-led initiatives, and integrate capacity-building programmes to ensure sustainable empowerment outcomes.

Cement manufacturing is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes, requiring substantial thermal and electrical energy, particularly during clinkerization and cement grinding. In Nigeria, rising fuel costs, unstable power supply, and inefficient energy utilization have significantly increased production costs and environmental impacts, making effective energy management essential. This study presents a comprehensive energy audit of the BUA Cement Plant, Obu-Okpella, Edo State, with the aim of evaluating plant-wide energy performance, identifying inefficiencies and energy losses, and proposing strategies for improving efficiency and reducing production costs.
A detailed energy audit was conducted across major production stages, including raw material preparation, clinker production, cement grinding, and packaging of the finished product. Data were obtained through on-site equipment inspections, Central Control Room records, and production logs, supported by equipment inventories and design capacity data. Energy performance was evaluated using specific energy consumption (SEC) indicators, as well as mass and heat balance analyses. The results were further benchmarked against international best-practice standards to assess the plant’s relative performance.
The results reveal significant opportunities for energy optimization within the plant. The specific thermal energy consumption of the kiln was approximately 3.5 GJ/t of clinker, slightly above global best practice values of 2.8–3.0 GJ/t, indicating potential for improvement. Heat balance analysis showed total heat input and output of 3333 kJ/kg and 3342 kJ/kg clinker, respectively, with a minimal deviation of 0.27%, confirming data reliability. Kiln and cooler heat losses were estimated at 9 kJ/kg and 8 kJ/kg clinker, respectively, while total heat loss due to radiation and convection was 0.15 MJ/kg. The annual electrical energy intensity was 88.74 kWh/t of cement, within the global benchmark range of 80–120 kWh/t, with cement and raw mills identified as the largest electrical energy consumers. Furthermore, approximately 15.6% of total energy input in the 6000 t/day dry-process kiln system could be recovered through improved waste heat recovery and enhanced clinker cooler efficiency. The study concludes that while the plant operates within acceptable energy performance ranges, significant opportunities exist for further optimization. Implementation of improved kiln insulation, enhanced waste heat recovery systems, optimized process control, and structured energy management practices is recommended to reduce operational costs, improve overall efficiency, and support sustainable cement production.

The research study is to examine the influence of corporate governance on firm performance of First Bank Nigeria PLC. It made use of board committee, audit committee, board size and corporate governance disclosure index as corporate governance predictive variables. The research design adopted is the longitudinal survey research design. The model parameters were estimated using Ordinary Least Squares with time series data for the period 2006 to 2016 for First Bank Nigeria PLC. The stationarity, stability, co-integration and causal relationship between the explanatory variables and the dependent variable in the model were performed. The study employed the application software E-View 7.0. The results of ADF and PP roots tests indicate that the series are unit roots free. The co integration of the variables using Residual Unit Roots test, which is appropriate in this study, indicates long run relationships among the series. The use of Recursive Residual Technique shows that the variables are stable. The model has an explanatory power of 78 percent specifically adjusted for the degrees of freedom with regard to the explanatory variables. The DW statistics value of 1.82 indicates the absence of serial correlation. The F- probability value of 0.0000 reports that there is a simultaneous linear relationship between the dependent variable and all the explanatory variables combined. This suggests that the joint effects of all the included variables in the model are significant in explaining firm performance of the First Bank Nigeria PLC. The study revealed that the explanatory variables significantly impact on firm performance of First Bank Nigeria PLC. In view of the research findings planning the improvement in board committee, audit committee, board size and corporate governance disclosure index will help to increase firm performance of organizations among others.

The Nigerian indigenous loom has always been a vehicle for cultural preservation. The indigenous weaving techniques are passed down through generations. Despite the enormous commercial viability of loom technology in Nigeria, this traditional technology faces several challenges. Some of these challenges include heavy weight of the fabric, inadequate knowledge of the commercial potential of the fabrics, lack of adequate access to modern weaving equipment, poor or little understanding of the traditional weaving equipment. Thus, there seems to be gradual loss of intricate techniques as a result of improper documentation. Consequently, the aim of the study was to explore the possibility of reducing the weight of this traditional woven fabric and to examine the equipment, materials, and techniques used in the Ebira fabric production with a focus on the looms used in the production of the fabrics. The research methods used in carrying out the study is exploratory method. Materials used in carrying out the research include yarns, loom and its different accessories. Efforts were made to produce modified traditional hand-woven fabrics with reduced weight. Thereafter, the modified hand-woven fabrics were used to produce different end uses for fashionable purposes. The study found out that it is possible to use the same traditional loom and its accessories that produced heavy weight fabrics to achieve lighter or reduced weight fabrics for contemporary uses. It was recommended that the Ebira woven fabrics should be explored so as to curb the unemployment menace happening in the country. It was also recommended that the Ebira people should commemorate their ceremonies with their traditional fabric (Ita-Inochi) for a better patronage and in turn, boost the state economy in particular and Nigeria in general.