Master Dissertation

This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and circular economy disclosure level (CEDL) among listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria, against the backdrop of increasing global emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental accountability. Despite the growing importance of circular economy practices, corporate disclosure in this domain remains largely voluntary, inconsistent, and underdeveloped in emerging economies, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. This study addresses this gap by examining whether corporate governance mechanisms serve as effective drivers of circular economy disclosure within the Nigerian institutional context. The study adopts an ex post facto research design and utilizes panel data from forty-one (41) manufacturing firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group over a seven-year period (2018–2024). Circular economy disclosure is measured using a 18-item disclosure index adapted from established literature, while corporate governance variables include board size, board gender diversity, board independence, board tenure, board diligence, and the presence of a CSR committee, with firm size included as a control variable. Data were sourced from annual reports and analyzed using fixed effects panel least squares regression, with robust standard errors applied to address heteroskedasticity and serial correlation. The findings revealed that corporate governance mechanisms exert differential effects on circular economy disclosure. Specifically, board gender diversity has a positive and statistically significant influence on CED, indicating that firms with higher female representation on their boards demonstrate greater transparency in circular economy reporting. In contrast, board size exhibits a negative but weakly significant relationship, suggesting that larger boards may hinder effective CED-oriented decision-making. However, board independence, board tenure, board diligence, and the presence of a CSR committee are found to have no significant impact on CED, implying that these governance mechanisms may be largely symbolic rather than substantive within the Nigerian context. Firm size, however, shows a strong positive and significant relationship with CED. The study concludes that effective circular economy disclosure in Nigeria is less dependent on formal governance structures and more influenced by board composition and organizational capacity. It contributes to the literature by providing context-specific empirical evidence from an emerging economy, extending corporate governance and sustainability disclosure research into the circular economy domain. The findings have important implications for policymakers, regulators, and corporate stakeholders, particularly in designing governance frameworks that promote substantive, rather than symbolic, sustainability disclosure practices.

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).

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.